(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: As we go from one level of play in American basketball to another throughout the season and the year, the World Stage for the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup has begun to take solid and precise shape. After the 2019 WorldCup, FIBA has continued to hone and refine its second World Cup Tournament with a more expansive, inclusive, and global fan-pleasing format.  

And, of course, due to the mega-explosion of social media, streaming, and new cutting-edge ways of viewing events of all types, this could become the most-watched FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup Tournament of all-time. All of this is simply fine-tuned music to FIBA’s ears and poetry in motion to the eye of the beholder. Don’t be left out on watching our TEAM USA along with the greatest  basketball players representing their countries in this world-class event. 

On background for those of our viewers who may not be familiar with FIBA, it is the international governing body for the sport of basketball for Men’s & Women’s (5-on-5/3-on-3) competitions and has always wanted to expand the number of countries who are new to fielding their national teams under its oversight and governance. Our country happens to be an original member of FIBA since 1934. USA Basketball has been the official governing body for our Men’s, Women’s, and Youth teams that are selected by the organization for competitions in international basketball tournaments.

The growing expansion idea for the (5-on-5 Team competitions), comes from a greater calling by many under-represented countries to start leveling the “96 x 50 playing court” for those national federations who are not classified as “major,” or ranked in the Top echelon of the regularly scheduled Olympic tournament-qualifying countries in the world.

In accomplishing this, they continue to oversee, through various committees within FIBA and the International Olympic Organizing Committee (IOOC), the development of those under-represented national teams with better coaching, player training & development, national competitions, international “Friendly” competitions, and exchanges with other Olympic qualifying zones in the world.

Once the 2022-2023 NBA Finals Playoff has concluded in June, our FIBA and our USA Basketball connection takes over the global scene and we must ready our Team USA to begin its journey on this upcoming FIBA World Cup Tournament. With all of that now having been declared, it’s time to take a deep look at what will be happening in the build-up to the Cup and our Team USA’s ultimate goal of winning the World Cup title after a very disappointing showing in 2019, when the team finished in 7th place after stunning losses to France and Serbia.

We encourage our viewers to stay close and very connected to us for coverage of the entire journey from the Team’s practices in Las Vegas prior to the team’s travel to the pre-arranged Exhibitions in Spain and then in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), before they arrive in Manila, Republic of the Philippines to begin the Tournament.

It promises to be a highly competitive trip in preparation for our first Round of Pool Play in the “Group B” tip-off on August 25th against New Zealand, in Manila. For more details on the preparations, please give a good read to the USA Basketball press announcement that you will find below. 

Expanded Schedule for 2023 USA Basketball Showcase Announced

U.S. Men’s National Team to Play Exhibition Games in Málaga, Spain

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (March, 2023) – USA Basketball announced the U.S. Men’s National Team will play two games in Málaga, Spain, as part of the USA Basketball Showcase in preparation for the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup. Team USA will head to Spain following its brief training camp in Las Vegas in early August.

In Málaga, the Americans will be hosted by the Spanish Basketball Federation (La Federación Española de Baloncesto) for a pair of contests against the Slovenian National Team on Aug. 12 and the Spanish National Team on Aug. 13. The slate of games will also see Spain tip off vs. Slovenia on Aug. 11. The USA Basketball Showcase Spain will mark the U.S. men’s first visit to the country since winning the 2014 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Madrid.

“We are thrilled to confirm plans to take the USA Basketball Showcase to Málaga. The U.S. will face strong competitors in both Spain and Slovenia,” said Jim Tooley, CEO, USA Basketball. “Thank you to the Spanish Basketball Federation, which is celebrating 100 years, for the invitation back to Spain, a country where the U.S. national team has great memories. We look forward to using the USA Basketball Showcase to prepare for the World Cup and engage with fans on our way to Manila.”

This news follows the previous announcement of the USA Basketball Showcase Abu Dhabi in which the U.S. and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced they will jointly put on three games in Abu Dhabi. The U.S. will play the national teams of Greece and Germany on Aug. 18 and 20, respectively, with Greece and Germany set to tip off on Aug. 19.

Additional USA Basketball Showcase details, including additional games, rosters, ticket sales, broadcast information and training camp dates, will be announced soon.

The U.S. officially qualified for the 2023 FIBA World Cup last month. One of seven teams set to represent FIBA Americas in the 32-team field, the USA will play all its games in Manila as the tournament is set for Aug. 25-Sept. 10, in Indonesia, Japan and The Philippines. The World Cup draw was completed on April 29, 2023, in Manila. For more information on that event, click here.

2023 USA BASKETBALL SHOWCASE
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
DATE, OPPONENT, &  LOCATION
*Aug. 12, 2023, Slovenia, Malaga, ESP
*Aug. 13, 2023, Spain, Malaga, ESP
*Aug. 18, 2023, Greece, Abu Dhabi, UAE
*Aug. 20, 2023, Germany, Abu Dhabi, UAE

[ADDITIONAL FIBA LEADERSHIP QUOTES]

Jorge Garbajosa, president, La Federación Española de Baloncesto: “It’s an honor for the Spanish Basketball Federation to announce USA Basketball as a partner for the big tournament of our Centenary, which will take place in Málaga in August. We’re convinced that the games between Spain, the United States and Slovenia will shape the best basketball tournament in the world, be the best show for the fans and a perfect tool to increase the passion for our sport. It’s going be a huge event and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in Andalucía to celebrate the first and successful 100 years of basketball in Spain.”