Anticipation for 2023 FIBA World Cup: Team USA Seeks Redemption, Bulls Fans Anticipate Nikola Vucevic’s Dominance
For basketball fans eagerly awaiting the start of the season, there’s good news. The 2023 FIBA World Cup is set to return after being absent since 2019. Besides being consistently entertaining, the World Cup promises some familiar faces for Chicago Bulls fans to make it worth tuning in.
One major reason to watch is Team USA’s quest for redemption after a humiliating first-round loss to France four years ago. Led by Rudy Gobert, France secured third place, while Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, and Hernangomez led Spain to their first gold medal since 2006.
For Team USA, previous winners in 2010 and 2014, the defeat was a massive blow. This year’s roster will feature current NBA stars like Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Notably, former beloved Bull Bobby Portis will also be joining them. Here are the dates for Team USA’s three group stage games in the Philippines later this month:
USA vs. New Zealand, August 26, 8:40 a.m. ET USA vs. Greece, August 28, 8:40 a.m. ET USA vs. Jordan, August 30, 4:40 a.m. ET
Chicago Bulls fans can look forward to watching Nikola Vucevic dominate international competition later this month at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
While no current members of the Chicago Bulls will be playing for Team USA this year, they still have representation in the tournament. It’s essential to remember that 31 other teams will be competing, and with more international talent in the NBA than ever before, other jerseys will feature numerous NBA players.
After sitting out of EuroBasket play, Nikola Vucevic will be making a return to the court, representing his home country, Montenegro, in the World Cup. As the sole NBA player on his team, Vucevic will carry Montenegro through the group stage against Egypt, Lithuania, and Mexico.
Vucevic discussed how playing in the World Cup can be a very different experience from professional basketball in the NBA. “It’s good to get both experiences; you can learn from playing both and transition across. Then one is playing for your club, and one is playing for the country, so it is just a very different experience and feel. As long as you get to play basketball, it’s fun.”
Unfortunately, fans won’t get to see the recently signed Onuralp Bitim in action, as Turkey missed qualification for this year’s World Cup. Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are expected to sit out for Serbia and Greece, respectively, which further strengthens Team USA’s position as the current betting favorite. The 2023 FIBA World Cup kicks off at the end of this month on August 25.
Source: Fansided
