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Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup will feature a competitive group. It features some of the world's best international talent and rising stars. The favorites to win the group are Lithuania, who may be missing their biggest NBA star but carry over experience and a youthful injection of talent.
Montenegro is also ready to challenge for the top spot in the group after earning their place in the FIBA World Cup on the final day of European Qualification. It'll be the second time Montenegro has reached the World Cup, led by NBA center Nikola Vucevic.
Rounding out the group are Mexico and Egypt. Mexico has reached its sixth World Cup and second of the last three tournaments. Longtime African competitors, Egypt, aim to replicate the success of their days competing as the UAR.
Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on August 13, 2023.
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25 August 2023: Mexico vs Montenegro (4:45 AM EST)
25 August 2023: Egypt vs Lithuania (8:30 AM EST)
27 August 2023: Montenegro vs Egypt (4:45 AM EST)
27 August 2023: Lithuania vs Mexico (8:30 AM EST)
29 August 2023: Egypt vs Mexico (4:45 AM EST)
29 August 2023: Montenegro vs Lithuania (8:30 AM EST)
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FIBA World Ranking: 8
Odds to win the World Cup: +5500 BET HERE
Odds to win Group D: -310 BET HERE
FIBA World Cup Appearances: 6
FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 27-14 (.659)
Best World Cup Finish: 3 (2010)
Head Coach: Kazys Maksvytis
Key Players: Jonas Valanciunas, Eimantas Bendzius, Ignas Bazdeikis
NBA Players: Jonas Valanciunas (MEM), Azuolas Tubelis (PHI)
Lithuania enter this World Cup campaign with renewed spirit and youthful vigor as a new era of Lithuanian basketball is being ushered in. One of Europe's most competitive nations, Lithuania secured qualification within the second-to-last window, despite many of their top players being unavailable. New head coach Kazys Maksvytis has been crucial to their success.
All eyes will be on big man Jonas Valanciunas, one of the world's most intimidating post-presences. While they'll be missing veteran star Jonas Maciulis due to retirement, young blood in Ignas Brazdeikis and Azuolas Tubelis expect to make an impact.
Lithuania is expected to top their group, but the inconsistency makes them an uncertain pick. While they'll likely progress to the next stage, their new batch of players is expected to have their struggles - especially from range. They're still the favorite, but it may be closer than most fans expect.
FIBA World Ranking: 18
Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 BET HERE
Odds to win Group D: +310 BET HERE
FIBA World Cup Appearances: 3
FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 1-4 (.200)
Best World Cup Finish: 25 (2019)
Head Coach: Bosko Radovic
Key Players: Nikola Vucevic, Kendrick Perry, Bojan Dubljevic
NBA Players: Nikola Vucevic (CHI)
After proving themselves in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Montenegro proved their participation wasn't a one-off event. While it took until the last day of European Qualifiers to earn their place in the Philippines, Montenegro proved they could compete with the best of Europe and the world.
All eyes will be on NBA big man Nikola Vucevic to lead Montenegro to the next round, but he has some capable contributors around him. Kendrick Perry and Bojan Dubljevic provide needed inside-outside options, while Vladimir Mihailovic's veteran presence will help lead the backcourt.
Montenegro is a team worth keeping an eye on as their size and shooting can be a difficult match, depending on the day. Expect them to have competitive matchups with every team in their group, with the ability to steal a game off the back of their interior presence alone.
FIBA World Ranking: 31
Odds to win the World Cup: +37000 BET HERE
Odds to win Group D: +1100 BET HERE
FIBA World Cup Appearances: 6
FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 17-18 (.486)
Best World Cup Finish: 8 (1967)
Head Coach: Omar Quintero
Key Players: Gabriel Giron, Paul Stoll, Fabian James
NBA Players: n/a
Mexico impressed through their qualification and AmeriCup campaigns, even defeating their rival United States in September. It took until the final window to decide if Mexico would qualify for the World Cup, and a blowout victory over Colombia and a comeback win over Uruguay sealed their place in the Philippines.
Mexico will carry continuity into the FIBA Basketball World Cup as the likes of Paul Stoll, Gabriel Giron, and Fabian James will help guide their guard, wing, and frontcourt positions. Despite Mexico not bringing NBA talents like Juan Toscano-Anderson and Jaime Jaquez Jr., Mexico will maintain its fighting spirit as they take on Group D.
Proving themselves a worthy opponent through their Americas campaign, Mexico is a team with responsible guard play and capable three-point shooters. They're lacking in the frontcourt, so they'll need to make the most of every offensive opportunity and fight defensively to even think of competing for the top spot in the group.
FIBA World Ranking:55
Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 BET HERE
Odds to win Group D: +4000 BET HERE
FIBA World Cup Appearances: 7
FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 6-36 (.143)
Best World Cup Finish: 5 (1950)
Head Coach: Roy Rana
Key Players: Anas Mahmoud, Assem Marei, Ehab Amin
NBA Players: n/a
Longtime competitor at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, even as the United Arab Republic, Egypt has a rich history as a basketball nation. After bringing in Canadian head coach Roy Rana, Egypt secured qualification through the African Qualifiers.
Egypt was the second-best rebounding team through the African Qualifiers due to the contributions of frontcourt pairing Anas Mahmoud and Assem Marei - two former NCAA Division I players. Shooting guard Ehab Amin, a former NCAA Division I athlete, will lead the team from the perimeter.
Solid through their African Qualifiers, Egypt will have their hands full in Group D. Their size is no longer unmatched, and their perimeter play and playmaking need to show consistency. While Egypt may compete with Mexico to stay out of the bottom, their quality doesn't match their European competitors.
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Lithuania is the highest-ranked team in Group D, sitting eighth in the FIBA rankings.
Group D will play games in the Philippines, specifically in Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Lithuania has the best FIBA Basketball World Cup finish of any team in Group D (Montenegro, Mexico, Egypt), winning bronze in 2010.
There are potentially three NBA players competing in Group D of the FIBA World Cup: Jonas Valanciunas (NOP), Azuolas Tubelis (PHI), and Nikola Vucevic (CHI).
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: [email protected]
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