Next year's World Cup of Basketball will have a Global Ambassador whom Filipinos are likely very familiar with: none other than FIBA legend Luis Scola.
One of the greatest players to ever do it in FIBA competitions is now representing world hoops.
Luis Scola, a fixture of the Argentinian national team for the longest time, has been named by FIBA as the Global Ambassador of next year’s World Cup to be co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The 42-year-old Argentinian is a veteran internationalist, having played for El Alma Argentina in five World Cups, five Olympics, and multiple qualifying tournaments.
“It’s rather strange,” said Scola of his new role as FIBA’s Global Ambassador, in an exclusive interview with Mico Halili for One Sports’ The Game. “I used to like it better when I was involved [playing in the World Cup]. It was more fun. But this is fun also. I like it, I enjoy it, and I’m looking forward to be there in the World Cup and live the experience from another point of view.”
The well-travelled big man was particularly impressive at the World Cup, where he helped Argentina to two silver medals (2002 and 2019). He is also a fixture in World Cup record books, currently tied with Brazil’s Ubiratan "Bira" Pereira Macie for most World Cup games played at 41 and second all-time in scoring with 716 points in five appearances (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2019).
A key piece of Argentina’s so-called Golden Generation, Scola will be helping FIBA and the hosts countries in promoting the 2023 World Cup, which will tip off on August 25, 2023. Among his bevy of responsibilities as Global Ambassador is to take part in the various activities—including next year’s draw ceremony—leading up to FIBA’s much anticipated flagship men’s competition.
“I’m mostly excited to go to the Philippines to watch games there because I know how fanatics [sic] the people there are for basketball, and they’ve never really had the chance to experience that [live World Cup action],” Scola added. “I feel sorry I can’t go there as a player, but I’m looking forward to go there as a fan and relive that [World Cup basketball] environment in the Philippines. Everybody’s told me it’s got a very strong fan base for basketball.”
Scola, who concluded his World Cup career with per game averages of 17 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, will also be bringing NBA pedigree to his ambassadorship. The FIBA legend played in the world’s premier league for over 10 seasons, having been drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2002 fresh off his first World Cup. Scola retired from the NBA in 2017 and played in China and Italy, before officially hanging up his basketball shoes for good in 2021. He has stayed close to basketball though, and is now the Global Ambassador of the sport's marquee event.