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5 sleepers to watch at the 2023 FIBA World Cup

By Holden Walter-Warner

Clarkson playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Qualifiers. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Clarkson playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Qualifiers. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) /
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Clarkson playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Qualifiers. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Clarkson playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Qualifiers. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) /

The 2023 FIBA World Cup is a little bit more than a week away. It’s one of the best international tournaments in basketball, an opportunity for some of the world’s best players to show national pride by suiting up for their countries.

Team USA is an obvious favorite to take home the crown this summer at the tournament, which spans across Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The Americans are a perennial favorite at any basketball event, even if they aren’t bringing the likes of LeBron James and Chris Paul like in years past.

The threats to the United States aren’t a mystery. Spain, Australia, France, and Canada are among the nations gearing up to take home the title and ruin the visions of glory from a relatively green Team USA.

It’s likely that one of the favorites will win the competition. There wouldn’t be any intrigue, however, if there weren’t some sleepers that could give the top teams pause.

Who are five teams that could surprise the world during the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup?

This is not to say that one of these teams is going to win the World Cup – that’s doubtful. But if certain things break correctly, maybe they have a chance to make it past the first stage of the tournament, or put a scare into one of the more expected powers.

Let’s be honest: basketball fans love the NCAA Tournament because of the potential for upsets. This year’s FIBA World Cup may be no different.

Here are five sleepers to keep an eye on this fortnight.