There's plenty of stars to check out as the best basketball squads fly to the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia for the FIBA World Cup starting on August 25.
We've already listed the players to watch in Groups A to D playing at the Philippine Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum, and the Mall of Asia Arena.
Here are the players fans should watch out for in Japan and in Indonesia.
Okinawa Arena
Group E: Dennis Schroder, Lauri Markkanen, Josh Giddey, Yuta Watanabe
This is really hard, okay? Group E has been dubbed as a "Group of Death" and it's pretty exciting to see which two squads will actually come out on top.
Dennis Schroder (Germany)
Die Mannschaft will have the Wagner brothers in Fritz and Moritz, but it will be up to captain Dennis Schroder to lead Germany beyond its 18th place finish back in 2019.
And he has proven his worth in the FIBA EuroBasket 2022, averaging 22.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists to lead Germany to the bronze—their first podium finish since 2005 when Dirk Nowitzki was hailed MVP.
Schroder's performance was so impressive that it led to a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lauri Markkanen (Finland)
Finland will be making its second appearance at the FIBA World Cup and it will be up to Lauri Markkanen to take the Susijengi out of the Group of Death.
And the 2022-23 NBA Most Improved Player for the Utah Jazz is no doubt the star of the show. He carried Finland in the EuroBasket 2022, averaging 27.9 points, the second best in the competition.
In that sea of stars, Markkanen joined an elite 40-point club with his 43-point explosion against Croatia, sharing the distinction with Luka Doncic (47) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (41).
Josh Giddey (Australia)
In a ridiculously stacked squad filled with Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists and FIBA World Cup veterans, along with a very crafty coach in Brian Goorjian, it would be fascinating to see the next generation of stars for the Boomers. And that is likely to be Josh Giddey.
He nearly had a triple-double of 14 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds, in just 24 minutes against Venezuela. This starting point guard is only 20 years old.
Yuta Watanabe (Japan)
In a Group of Death with heavyweights such as Germany and Australia, an undersized Japan would have to rely on its homecourt advantage, its speed, and its shooting if the hosts want to have any chance of surviving the first round.
NBA forward Yuta Watanabe will have to be the anchor for Akatsuki Japan, as he showcased in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 with an average of 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
Okinawa Arena
Group F: Luka Doncic, Edy Tavares, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Michael Carrera
Luka Doncic (Slovenia)
There's no way around it, Slovenia will be banking on Luka Magic to go beyond the group stage.
The face of the Dallas Mavericks did show he is the man to beat with an average of 26 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in the EuroBasket 2022. He even had multiple explosions for Slovenia, scoring 47 against France, 36 against Germany, and 35 against Belgium.
But it has to be asked: Can he sustain this energy in the World Cup?
Edy Tavares (Cape Verde)
Cape Verde will be the smallest nation ever to take part in the FIBA World Cup, but they have one of the biggest men in the competition in Edy Tavares.
The 7-foot-3 Blue Shark, a two-time EuroLeague champion, EuroLeague all-time blocks leader, and 2023 EuroLeague Final Four MVP for Real Madrid, will be looking to snatch an upset in Japan.
Maybe as long as he doesn't shatter the backboard again.
Sandro Mamukelashvili (Georgia)
Georgia will be out to make a splash in its FIBA World Cup debut with La Liga Endesa Player of the Year Georgi Shermadini and EuroLeague star Tornike Shengelia. But a new star has risen for the European squad—Sandro Mamukelashvili.
The 6-foot-10 forward, who played for Seton Hall and the Milwaukee Bucks before he was picked up by the San Antonio Spurs, had a breakout double-double performance in the EuroBasket 2022, averaging 15.2 points and 11 rebounds.
Michael Carrera (Venezuela)
No doubt Venezuela is the underdog in Group F, and would have to play physical defense, force turnovers, and get points in transition to give themselves a chance.
Michael Carrera is expected to be one of the leaders for Venezuela, having scored 11.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in the Americas Qualifiers.
A crucial factor for the squad's success would be their fast hands, as Venezuela ranked first in steals at 10.7 per game during the qualifiers.
Indonesia Arena
Group G: Behnam Yakhchali, Willy Hernangomez, Vafessa Fofana, Bruno Caboclo
Behnam Yakhchali (Iran)
This year's tournament would be the last dance for Hamed Haddadi, who has made an appearance in every one of Iran's four FIBA World Cup appearances. It would be up to fellow veteran Behnam Yakhchali to help give the big man the send-off he deserves.
And the 28-year-old point guard has showcased his wares in Asian tournaments. He is Iran's top performer in the Asian Qualifiers with 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He did even better in the Asia Cup 2022 with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Team Melli would have to do more with their youngsters though if they want to survive Group G.
Willy and Juancho Hernangomez (Spain)
The current edition of Spain is not the same La Rioja which won the 2019 FIBA World Cup, nor is it the same squad which lifted the EuroBasket 2022 trophy. 2019 World Cup MVP Ricky Rubio has taken time off for his mental health, while EuroBasket All-Star Five member Lorenzo Brown is nowhere near the extended roster.
So it would be up to EuroBasket 2022 MVP Willy Hernangomez to lead Spain to a second straight World Cup and their third overall. He averaged 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds in the regional tournament. Juancho is no slouch either with 12.8 points and five rebounds per game.
Now if only people would stop mistaking Willy for his brother, "Bo Cruz."
Vafessa Fofana (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast, or Cote d'Ivoire, will make their second straight appearance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Elephants will be relying on veteran Vafessa Fofana, a member of the 2019 World Cup team who played in all 12 games of the African Qualifiers.
The 31-year-old forward, who plies his trade in France, averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds for his squad in the African Qualifiers.
But it will be an uphill climb for the Elephants in Indonesia.
Bruno Caboclo (Brazil)
We should totally talk about Bruno.
While Marcelinho Huertas and Yago Santos are the big names for Brazil, Bruno Caboclo is turning out highlights after highlights for the squad in yellow. The 27-year-old power forward averaged 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in the Americas Qualifiers, which included one performance to defeat Team USA.
The Caboclo-led Brazil has also beaten South Sudan, Australia, and Venezuela in its tune-up games.
Indonesia Arena
Group H: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Davis Bertans, Wael Arakji, Rudy Gobert
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
It was disappointing to hear NBA champion Jamal Murray would have to sit out the FIBA World Cup, but Canada still has a star-studded roster led by All-NBA First Team guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks star RJ Barrett.
SGA is expected to maximize Canada's potential, having led the Maples to a flawless campaign in the Americas Qualifiers.
Gilgeous-Alexander has exploded for 26.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the qualifiers. Imagine what he can do with teammates like Barrett, Minnesota Timberwolves' Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Houston Rockets' Dillon Brooks, OKC's Luguentz Dort, Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk, and Dallas Mavericks' Dwight Powell.
Davis Bertans (Latvia)
It was utter heartbreak for Latvia when star Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out due to a foot injury. Instead, world number 29 squad would have to rely on the brothers Davis and Dairis Bertans. Davis, who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaged 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in the European Qualifiers.
Latvia would also have to rely on its shooting to make any headway into a tough Group H.
Wael Arakji (Lebanon)
In a deadly Group H in Indonesia, it would be up to FIBA Asia Cup 2022 MVP Wael Arakji to raise the flag not just for Lebanon, but for Asia.
The 28-year-old point guard would have to be perfect in the World Cup, similar to his performance in the regional tournament where he averaged 26 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4 assists. Lebanon was able to go toe-to-toe with the best of Asia last year.
Can Arakji lead his squad against the powerhouses of Europe and the Americas?
Rudy Gobert (France)
It would be a stunning upset if Les Bleus fail to survive Group H in Indonesia.
France will be bringing a strong, veteran roster bannered by Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, Nando de Colo, and Nicolas Batum.
And after finishing third at the last two World Cups, as well as faltering in the finals of the Tokyo Olympics and FIBA EuroBasket 2022, France would have to pull out all the stops to finally win it all.
With Victor Wembanyama sitting out the tournament, Minnesota Timberwolves' center Gobert will be the anchor for Les Bleus, who averaged 12.8 points and 9.8 rebounds for France during the EuroBasket.
(GM)