Unbeaten lightweight Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) nearly spoiled the long-awaited ring return of former three-division world champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) on Saturday night before a crowd of 4,586 inside the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Ortiz gave 25:1 favorite Loma all kinds of early problems with his speed and mobility. The former champ quickly had noticable bruising under his right eye. After six rounds, Ortiz was up by two points on one card and the other two were even. However, after that two of the judges had Lomachenko sweeping the final six rounds and all three had Loma pulling away to win 115-113, 116-112, 117-111.
“I’m happy. I’m happy to come back in the ring and make this a great show. Thank you to my fans for the support,” commented Lomachenko afterward. “You know what motivated me? Four belts! …look, I’m ready. I’m ready for any option.”
Undisputedlightweight champion Devin Haney was in attendance. “I think it wasn’t the best performance,” said Haney, “but I know if me and Loma were to fight, we’d see a better version on the night. Congratulations, and hopefully we can get it on.”
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum stated, “The fight to make in the lightweight division is Haney versus Lomachenko, and we will do everything we can to make the undisputed championship showdown that all fight fans want to see. They are the world’s premier lightweights, and it would be a fantastic battle.”
In the co-feature, WBO #3 featherweight Robeisy Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs), a two-tome Olympic gold medalist), stopped late sub Jose Matias Romero (26-3, 9 KOs) in round nine. Ramirez dropped Romero in round one, then cruised for seven workmanlike rounds before wobbling Romero and getting a referee’s stoppage in round nine. Time was 2:20. Ramirez may now face #1 Isaac Dogboe for the WBO belt when current champion Emanuel Navarrete moves up to 130.
Unbeaten 2020 Olympian super heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs) scored a third round KO against Ahmed Hefny (13-3, 5 KOs). Torrez dropped Hefny in both rounds one and two, then got the stoppage after another knockdown in round three. Time was 2:32.
Unbeaten 2020 Olympic silver medalist Duke Ragan (8-0, 1 KO) took an eight round unanimous decision against Luis Lebron (18-5-1, 11 KOs) in a jr welterweight bout. Regan survived getting buzzed in round seven to win by scores of 77-75, 78-74, 79-73.
Unbeaten middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, 5 KOs), grandson of all-time great Muhammad Ali, had to work harder than expected to take a six round unanimous decision over unheralded Billy Wagner (5-3, 1 KO). Scores were 58-56, 58-56, 59-55.
Unbeaten 2020 Olympian jr welterweight Tiger Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) went six against Esteban Garcia (15-2, 7 KOs). Scores were 60-54 3x for Tiger.
Unbeaten 2020 Olympian middleweight Troy Isley (8-0, 4 KOs) defeated Quincy Lavallais (14-4-1, 9 KOs) over eight rounds by scores of 79-73, 80-72, 80-72.
Unbeaten lightweight blue-chipper Abdullah Mason (5-0, 4 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten Angel Barrera (4-1, 0 KOs). Mason dropped Barrera twice in round three and got a referee’s stoppage at :21 of round four.
Unbeaten jr lightweight Haven Brady Jr (8-0, 4 KOs) outscored Eric Mondragon (7-1-1, 4 KOs) over eight round by scores of 78-74, 79-73, 79-73.
Don’t think I’ve EVER seen a referee who was THAT strict when it came to clinches. Hefny tried to hold a few times when he was in trouble, and Mercante gave an immediate warning, then another, the a deduction. Just couldn’t wait to penalize the guy. I thought tying up in that situation was part of the game and that Hefny was doing the right thing. Kinda prefer the ref to just fade into the background once the fight starts. Mercante made himself the star of the damn show.
Agree. Mercante is a fool. He always thinks too much of himself during the matches.
Lima has only had 19 fights this being number 19 and he over the hill already? He’s not over the hill, he’s just fighting better fighters. Teo exposed his weaknesses. Lima is still the same guy, it’s just that he is facing better fighters.
Loma was past it when he turned pro. I followed a lot of his amateur career and his best stuff was there. Period.
Lomachenko started his career late because of his close to 400 fights as an amateur. All those training sessions and sparring throughout your career will take a toll on you no matter how talented. He’s 34 years old, which under natural circumstances, is the beginning of the end for most fighters. Plus he has not fought in well over a year and is going at it in at a higher weight.
Wow you know your boxing lol ! Loma is one of the best amateur/pro boxer ever and you are a fool to make such a statement.
He’s almost 35 and fighting guys bigger than him. The fact he has only 19 fights is irrelevant. He had basically 2 amateur careers. Age has gotten to him since he can’t go 12 rounds anymore. He rests and covers for a few rounds then comes on. A lot of guys he can get away with that. Not Haney
I totally agree with you about Loma’s size. He was an assassin at 130 and he surely could still make that weight. I thought Ortiz looked like a JR Welterweight . It’s amazing the difference that extra 5 pounds makes.
I think if Loma fought in his more size appropriate Division, then you’d see he’s not nearly as aged as some on here think. And, he always was a fighter who started slow and came on strong.
So every fight so far has ended exactly the way it was set up to do so. Its not only pro wrestling that the results of a match is determined BEFORE its happened.
The Ragan / Lebron fight was a joke. The scores were a joke. The officiating was a joke. Every time Ragan got popped, he spit his mouthpiece. That was the refs due to give him a minute to recover. Lebron needed to knock him out 3 times to get a draw. Shameful.
Lol!!! Hence the user name. Well done.
Loma no longer a top 10 P4P fighter. Gets hit way too much. Don’t think he can beat any of the better fighters at 135. Just my opinion.
Was thinking the same. Don’t think he has it in him anymore to get by Haney, which is probably next for him. Age is catching up with him…
Man Loma looked small.
@Dee Yes he did, especially next to Haney post fight. I thought Loma just squeaked by Ortiz…..the 115-113 card sounded about right to me. Haney’s probably peaking right about now, and Loma’s not getting any younger. Haney 8-4 or 9-3 wouldn’t surprise me.
If Loma looked to be his old self, Haney would have moved up to 140 before this thread even opened. If Haney does not extend his contract with Arum and I have no idea what’s going on with that situation, we might get Stevenson vs Haney, which will end with the same result: Haney moving up to 140. I say this because we get screwed out big fights with boxers avoiding big fights and promoters who try to keep the belts in-house.
Absolutely looked very small. Idk if he could take Tank’s power. He really got hit a lot tonight. I would pick Tank over him now for sure. I also see Haney using his size and length to win. His best option is probably a big money fight against Ryan Garcia. That to me is a more winnable fight for Loma but I wouldn’t be surprised if he lost.
He is too small for 135.
Forget about his P4P ranking but I agree he will struggle with e.g. Haney and probably lose.
Yes he is. How about the clear fact that Ortiz is good, and despite being great, Loma is human.
Loma ain’t over the hill yet, but he’s over the top of it, so it’s only downhill from there. This boy he fought tonight was OK, but not a puncher. Looked a lot bigger than Loma, but not as big as Haney looked. Haney will KO Loma, I believe. Loma’s just too small for these bigger framed guys. He won this fight rather easily though, I thought.
Loma was done at top level several years ago and tonight just proved that he’s not close to what he once was. Haney would have not only had a smaller Lomachenko in his prime, he’ll now have a small and shot version.
Shot?
@Ajay He had a ton of mileage on him coming into tonight, and just went through another tough 12 rounder. He had 397 amateur fights, and he’ll be 35 by his next fight. He’s certainly past his best, and is very small at 135. Haney will be getting a very shop worn version of Loma.
Thank you for explaining it to him. I don’t have the patience for low IQ people anymore. I’m spent
Shot implies a lot more than past his prime and old. Silly boy.
He’s not as far gone as Sugar Ray Leonard was against Terry Norris, but he’s slipped noticeably IMO
Lomachenko might as well step up and take the L from Haney. I KNOW that fight won’t happen now. People will say he was old but keep in mind Loma dodged a 20 year old Haney.
Dodged? Where are you getting that from? Let’s see if the fight happens. I believe it will.
Yes he dodged Haney, Haney was his mandatory and he petitioned to the WBC to be super champion which allowed him to not have to fight his mandatory.
Nope, no fighters have petitioned the WBC to come up with another belt. Stop making things up and spreading misinformation.
That’s not the point. Haney was Lomachenko’s mandatory and he dodged Haney. Why didn’t the fight occur if it wasn’t a dodge move?
To Chris the natural!!!! WOW) WBC PREZ ADMITS CANELO & LOMA REQUESTED FRANCHISE AND THEY’RE NO LONGER CHAMPIONS….. type that in on YouTube and you’ll here the WBC president Mauricio Sauliman explains they asked to be franchise Which allows them to not have to fight their mandatory
Devin Haney was his mandatory 3 years ago. Lomachenko wanted no parts of Haney. He dodged him. Do your research then talk to me.
So fighters that have not earned a title shot are dodged if not given one? I thought it was more along the lines of moving up in ranks and then earning the right to fight for the title.
How did he not earn a title fight if he was his mandatory? Doesn’t that mean he beat everyone necessary to be Loma mandatory?
The people mentioning Haney being dodged was a proposed fight 3 years ago. What had Haney accomplished 3 years ago besides daddy lobbying for him big time in the background? Nothing. The fight was pointless back then. In retrospect, sure, but retrospect is a mofo.
Its always “pointless” when your man is doing the dodging. It means the governing bodies have decided Haney is up next for a title shot. Lomachenko has never stepped aside from a mandatory and suddenly he decided to side step. Its not like he was moving up in weight. Post fight he was making excuses about Haney’s size when he was MUCH LARGER against Rigo and Axe-Man. Your man Lomachenko isn’t what you thought he was. He’s dodger until he steps up and faces Haney like he should have 3 years ago.
No, he did not. Haney tried to make that fight when Lomachenko already had the Luke Campbell fight lined up. But you’re going to have your racist narrative.
Stop playing the RACE CARD and making excuses. You’re literally the one who brought up “race.” Ok, what happened after the Luke Campbell fight that Lomachenko didn’t follow up with Haney? I’m sick of you people bringing up race whenever something doesn’t go your way. Lomachenko is a dodger. You can tell by his post fight interview he wanted nothing to do with Haney. He makes an excuses about “heavyweight” but had no problem fighting a much smaller Guillermo Rigondeaux. He dodged Haney 3 years ago because he knew he couldn’t win and he still knows he can’t win. What excuses are there now that Haney beat Kam and Loma won this fight? When was the last time you seen a champ chasing down opponents? Haney wants the fight CLEARLY.
Actually Loma is on video prior to the rigo fight saying he that he himself was too big for rigo and that rigo was not a challenge. Loma has done nothing except take on the biggest challenges since he turned pro including moving up in weight for harder challenges. You remind of the floyd haters!!
Talent is talent. Don’t hate appreciate. Loma is an all time great.
Loma now will not beat any of the top Lightweights nor would he had beat them a couple of years ago, just ask Orlando Salido and Teo Lopez.
Lopez has a legitimate victory but salido? Are you still banging that same racist drum you were many years ago? I guess you still haven’t gotten over the beating Loma gave your homeboy Gary Russell Jr, huh?
Bwaahaaahaaa!
Not sure what your talking about, Chris, but apparently you don’t know what racism is, nor do you know boxing. Using your logic and others that share a similar mindset to you, Russell was too small for Loma.
This fight was telling.
Always felt questionable about Loma in this weight class. His weight gain came far too quickly. The suit is too big. Also with the weight gain he has lost a lot of his speed and mobility.
If Loma is going to challenge the top in this weight class, he needs to be matched harder and have the absolute best quality of his sparring.
Loma is not ready for Haney, Tanks nor Garcia.
In addition, age, motivation and what is happening in his country may mean that he will never be.
this Russian hate is stupid. Nazis suck. He fucked up. His career is over.
kurtis B gaskin: Yep how dare the ‘Nazis’ live and defend themselves in their own country against the invading Russians.
You are an idiot.
I have Russian roots. I was 11 years old when I finally got another citizenship.
No I don’t hate Russia, nor the Russian culture, nor the Russian brave people but I strongly question the Russian leadership.
And why don’t you address the Nazi problems within parts of the Russian forces?
I think the invasion of Ukraine is wrong, not only wrong but illegal, I think the killing and all the rapes are wrong, as well as the constant threats to use nuclear weapons, as well as the use of military weapons which are illegal, I also think the constant threats to countries bordering Russia is wrong, as is the fact that Russian state television openly talks about invading other countries, or parts of other countries’ territory.
The fact that I criticize it and think that it is obvious that Ukraine has its right to defend itself does not make me a Russian hater.
On the contrary, I love a lot of Russia but am more than happy to criticize its villainous leadership, just as I criticized the leadership during the communist era without being called a Russian hater.
In conclusion, to be extra clear, I have also criticized the US’s illegal invasion of, for example, Iraq, and I am happy to point out how American foreign policy has destabilized the world.
This fact does not give the Russian leadership the right to behave as they are now doing in Ukraine.
Your post starts off with good enough intentions, but then you go off on this MSNBC style misinformation campaign rant like some scorned tik tok girl. Get a life kid.
For the record, I have never watched MSNBC, nor FOX, even though I know what these two channels stand for and represent in the US.
Dude you talk about “race” and make stereotypical comments toward other posters when you can’t win a logical argument. You’re a total hypocrite. You’re a racist giving someone a morality speech. The irony…
I assume that your comment was not for me, but if it was, please specify and I will try to answer
Loma is on the back 9 and should retire. Do something else with his life. He can no longer be taken seriously as a legitimate lightweight. His days are over. We all now know Loma is washed up, and Lopez is not all that and a bag of chips.
lifetime boxing fan…old guy…I agree. hate to but it is obvious.
Loma didn’t perform in his usual fashion this time after being absent for awhile, but will be back in excellent form when he takes on Haney.
loma is back for how long who knows he beat down ortiz a bigger stronger young prospect he is just getting ready for haney which will be a good fight ortiz should fight navarrete loma still has speed footwork motivation to beat haney in a close fight
Age has catch up with Loma and he’s too small for the division… I don’t wanna see him lose against guy’s he would’ve beat in his prime.. Take the fight against Haney for the paycheck and hang them up for good Loma..
I don’t think there’s that big of a paycheck for fighting Haney and at this late stage of his career, it’s not a winnable fight. I would like to see the Ukrainian retire now, but he won’t as he is stubborn.
Well since Loma has already achieved what no other fighter before has ever done,i’d say that is an AMAZING task in itself.now consider not even Robinson,Hagler,Leonard,Holyfield,Tyson etc has done what Loma has.Ask yourself who in the history of the game besides Loma has since his 1st pro fight fought and defeated champions and more champions? Now since the answer is ONLY LOMA,we now have to ask ourselves can Loma be a success in a division that is at least 3 divisions higher than when he started out? Haney,and other lightweights will most certainly be bigger, probably stronger than Loma,the real question is this, can Loma bring his incredible timing and boxing I.Q into this division of bigger,probably stronger younger guys? One thing is for sure, Loma will fight anyone, and he wants Haney for certain. Time will tell us what will be, and Loma will no matter what happens, go down as one of all time greats, a man who NEVER back away from fighting anyone.
Loma looked better than all these fake ass champs holding his belts. Haney is coming to run away. If he stays in the pocket loma slaps him up.
Lomo is slipping into Russian blah blah. The ukrain Nazis are shit. IF Lomo keeps this crap up he is finished. He looked like a regular fighter. Meh…he is done.
Always appreciate Lomachenko, and glad he was able to pull out this win against a tough opponent. He hasn’t been active because of what’s happening in Ukraine, but he’s the kind of humble, gifted, tough, smart fighter I appreciate.
Loma def won the fight, 115-113 but 117-111, please don’t let him/her judge a fight ever again, Ortiz def won 4 rounds
Loma is a natural featherweight. These guys are 2 big for him at 135. Look at the size difference when Haney was in the ring. He needs to drop down in weight. He cannot beat Haney or Stevens at 135. He can only go so far on technique and experience. He is also getting a little long in the tooth.
JUST WATCHED THE LOMO FIGHT REPLAY GREAT FIGHT BUT THE ADDS BETWEEN ROUNDS HAD THREE WORTHLESS RINOS BAD MOUTHING THE REPUBLICANS / NO POLITICS PLEASE
I have to imagine Haney will be a little more inclined to fight Loma now. I’d like to see that fight happen. I think it would be competitive and it would be a good measuring stick to tell where Haney and Loma are really at as well.
I think it was a masterful performance all things considered.
I agree with Chalf. Loma is just too small, not big enough frame to put on enough weight to compete with Haney and other top lightweights. His power is just not there to compete with these bigger guys, imo. I think he needs to drop back down in weight. Less money, but winnable fights.

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MANILA (Philippines) – The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is headed towards the Second Round and the Classification Games. A day off sounds like a good opportunity to update the Power Rankings. 
And let’s just say they needed updating.
This is the fourth episode of the World Cup series. You can read the first volume here, the second one here, and the third one, where we definitely did not have a team eliminated in the First Round in the top three, here.
That didn’t age well 😅 #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/RU2IWilqiv

The Power Rankings are in no way an official ranking system but do represent the assessment from the author for each team of finishing high or low at the summit in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, which tips off on August 25. This fourth volume of the Rankings should be considered as an overview with the First Round behind us.

 
 
Number of World Cup appearances: 4th appearance
Best result: 19th in 2010
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 22nd
Wait, the World Cup is not over yet. Despite being out of the hunt almost immediately, Iran could still go on to qualify for the Paris Olympics or to at least book one of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments next summer. Read more about that over here.

Number of World Cup appearances: 6th appearance
Best result: 8th in 1967
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 31st
Ugh… The fact that we had them at #16 last time around, and they got blown out in three straight games? You broke our hearts, Mexico. No words.
Number of World Cup appearances: 5th appearance
Best result: 11th in 1990
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 17th
The final points difference in three defeats isn’t bad, but that’s a thin rope to be holding onto heading into the Classification Games 17-32. Venezuela’s offense was on point for the first two games, getting 85 against Slovenia and 75 against Cape Verde, but a 59-point outing against Georgia should sound the alarm.
Number of World Cup appearances: 4th appearance
Best result: 16th in 2002
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 43rd
To be fair, they nearly stunned France. But then again, “nearly” doesn’t get you a lot in a close competition such as the World Cup, because France “nearly” made it through, or Philippines “nearly” went 3-0 when they went 0-3. You get the point. Nearly is not good enough.
Number of World Cup appearances: 3rd appearance
Best result: 23rd in 2010
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 33rd
It’s Rondae Hollis Jefferson’s world, we’re just living in it.
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Number of World Cup appearances: 10th appearance
Best result: 8th in 1994
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 27th
As tough it is to focus on the positives when you go 0-3 in the World Cup, coach Sasa Djordjevic can look at the roster with optimism, because other than Kaier Li (Kyle Anderson) and Peng Zhou all the players are still in their 20s. Lessons learned, now time to apply them to challenge for the Olympic ticket.
Number of World Cup appearances: 7th appearance
Best result: 3rd in 1954
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 40th
The record is here! Two things remain on their mind the rest of the way in Manila: Can they reach the Olympics as the best Asian team? Can Jordan Clarkson be the top scorer of the World Cup?
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Number of World Cup appearances: 1st appearance
Best result: 1st appearance
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 64th
Get this…
Number of World Cup appearances: 7th appearance
Best result: 5th in 1950
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 55th 
…all five African teams have won a game at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023…
Number of World Cup appearances: 5th appearance
Best result: 13th in 1982 and 1986
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 42nd 
…which means all five are in a crazy, crazy, too-close-to-call-it race…
Number of World Cup appearances: 9th appearance
Best result: 9th in 2006
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 41st
…for a direct flight to the Paris 2024 Olympics…
Number of World Cup appearances: 1st appearance
Best result: 1st appearance
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 62nd
…but there is also a matter of African pride.
We see you, South Sudan, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt and Cape Verde! This could be the official tipping point for African basketball, rest assured none of these teams would be happy with just a single win when we arrive in Qatar for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
The potential for all five of these teams is off the charts. No wonder the entire world is talking about these guys as one of the biggest positive surprises of the World Cup.
Number of World Cup appearances: 7th appearance
Best result: 4th in 2002
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 26th
So, so close… Coach Pero Cameron will probably feel a bit unlucky because of the draw which saw them square up against the United States as the biggest favorite to win it all, and against a perennial medal contender in Greece. But they put up a fight, almost stunned coach Dimitris Itoudis and his crew, and earned a standing ovation at the end of the first round in the Mall of Asia Arena.

Number of World Cup appearances: 2nd appearance
Best result: 22nd in 2014
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 24th
Sure, they went 0-3. But also, they still have Lauri Markkanen on their roster, and nobody would be surprised if they finished at 2-3 at the end of this event. That could be enough to sneak into one of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.
Number of World Cup appearances: 6th appearance
Best result: 11th in 1967
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 36th 
All of us who had a chance to witness Japan’s women’s basketball team in major events from 2017 to 2021 had a feeling this could happen. Coach Tom Hovasse is simply a genius, no other way to describe that the man who led the women’s team to the Olympic Final also managed to battle for the Second Round here despite not his superstar Rui Hachimura. Young guards, a lot of passing, a lot of shooting… You’ll hear about Japan in the future, no doubt.
Number of World Cup appearances: 9th appearance
Best result: 3rd in 2014 and 2019
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 5th 
Ugh. Let’s not talk about this.
Number of World Cup appearances: 15th appearance
Best result: 4th in 1990
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 20th 
Second Round, again!? It’s becoming a habit now for Puerto Rico, not showing anything to get too excited about during the preparation period, and then becoming a Dream Team at the event, capable of setting a new World Cup record with four (yes, 4) players with double-doubles in a single game. Puerto Rico are impossible to read, we never get it right with these guys.

Number of World Cup appearances: 1st appearance
Best result: 1st appearance
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 32nd
Could they be a Poland? Or a Czech Republic? Because back in 2019, Poland and Czech Republic both reached the Quarter-Finals even though it was their maiden World Cup, for both. Actually, they are going to need to pull off a Czech Republic, because the Czech were the only #2 seed from the First Round to make it through to the Quarter-Finals. Georgia have Germany and Australia up next and the least we can say is that this will be very difficult.
Number of World Cup appearances: 2nd appearance
Best result: 25th in 2019
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 18th 
See here, this is the big difference between being there and getting there. Montenegro were neck and neck with Lithuania, trading blows, staying close for a half, but then they started missing wide open layups and threes. That’s the “getting there” part. The “being there” part was Lithuania, who punished every single Montenegro mistake.
That’s the experience of tens or hundreds of games like this already played in Lithuania’s history, compared to Montenegro’s lack of big game experience. Oh, one more thing. Nikola Vucevic is the best player nobody talks about.
Number of World Cup appearances: 9th appearance
Best result: 2nd in 2006
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 9th
The toughest part is out of the way. They faced the United States, they felt that one, and advanced to the Second Round despite that -15 scare v New Zealand. Now they know the drill, against two teams they know really well in Montenegro and Lithuania, two wins would most likely put them through to the World Cup Quarter-Finals. Greece haven’t been there since 2006…
Number of World Cup appearances: 19th appearance
Best result: winners in 1959 and 1963
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 13th
For years, former head coach Aco Petrovic warned about a certain point guard, top prospect, worldwide talent. He introduced him to the national team, and now, under new head coach Gustavo Conti, that kid is ready to take over.
Yago Santos is 24, he’s coming off of a fabulous German League winning campaign, where he was the Finals MVP, and in the game against Cote d’Ivoire he became the first Brazilian player with 20+ points and 10+ assists since FIBA introduced assists to the official boxscores in 1994. Aco was right all along!
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Number of World Cup appearances: 10th appearance
Best result: 4th in 1970 and 1978
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 10th
The problem with that loss to the Dominican Republic? Italy now know they probably have to defeat Serbia to have a chance of reaching the Quarter-Finals. Feels like we’ve seen a few of do-or-die games between Italy and Serbia recently, with Italy winning all of them – like at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade in 2022, like at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Round of 16, like in the tuneup games this summer. Rest of the world will get their popcorn ready.
Number of World Cup appearances: 1st appearance
Best result: 1st appearance
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 29th
Good news? They stunned France, they stunned the world, they advanced to the Second Round.
Better news? Their fans are the feel good story of the whole event, making it feel like the games are played in Riga since day one.
Bad news? Kristaps Porzingis is here, but in spectator mode, not able to help his squad on the court due to injury.
Worse news? Dairis Bertans also got injured and will miss the rest of the World Cup.
Best news? Arturs Zagars has arrived! Finally, might we add, after witnessing his incredible prospect in various FIBA Youth Events.
FIBA “Arturs Zagars” Basketball World Cup 2023#FIBAWC x #WinForLatvia 🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/wcWCc60cPx
 
Number of World Cup appearances: 6th appearance
Best result: 3rd in 2010
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 8th
The defense will be the key for this Lithuania squad – just make sure to check out the crossmatches when Tadas Sedekerskis guards the “five” man, and Jonas Valanciunas takes the worst shooter on the opponents’ team and just plays a basketball version of a sweeper, protecting the rim, protecting the paint, taking maximum advantage of the “no defensive three seconds” scheme in our events. Masterful coaching by Kazys Maksvytis so far!
Number of World Cup appearances: 13th appearance
Best result: 4th in 2019
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 3rd 
Why so low? Technically, they are high, because they are the highest ranked #2 seed here, but this is a matter of the schedule difficulty now. The Boomers start the Second Round at 2-1, a win behind Slovenia and Germany. Two wins in two are might be needed for Australia if they want to continue their ongoing streak of reaching major Semi-Finals, something they started in Rio 2016. Also, Josh Giddey looks like a good bet to reach the first triple-double in World Cup history. Don’t forget he’s still 20…
Number of World Cup appearances: 4th appearance
Best result: 12th in 1978
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 23rd
Googling how to get Dominican citizenship, because…
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They are 3-0, people. We had them in the Top 10 this entire time, we saw it coming when they prevented the 2019 runners-up Argentina from qualifying, and all of that was before anybody knew how a superstar such as Karl-Anthony Towns would fit in. Guess what, it was as smooth as it gets.
Number of World Cup appearances: 7th appearance
Best result: winners in 1998, 2002 (as FR Yugoslavia)
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 6th
Everybody talked about Serbia at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, they got eliminated before the medal battles even began. Everybody talked about Serbia at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022, they got eliminated before the medal battles even began. Not a lot of people talked about Serbia at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, and you know, maybe that actually suits them better.
No pressure of expectations, just getting out there and enjoying the Bogdan Bogdanovic show. People talk about FIBA Patty or FIBA Fournier… But don’t tell us you forgot about FIBA Bogdan. One of the most pleasant experiences in international basketball.
Number of World Cup appearances: 4th appearance
Best result: 7th in 2014
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 7th
Luka Doncic is averaging exactly 30.0 points per game after the First Round in 2023. The last player to average 30 or more in World Cup history? Oscar Schmidt back in 1990, when he had 34.6 points per game. Feels like any time Luka is entering a global event, Oscar’s records are in danger.
Slovenia warmed up nicely for the Second Round, not leaving a glimpse of hope to anybody to endanger their perfect record. Australia and Germany up next and that sounds awesome!
Number of World Cup appearances: 13th appearance
Best result: winners in 2006 and 2019
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 1st
This part was supposed to say something like, “the defending champs are defending;” but it turns out, this version of Spain is actually attacking. Sergio Scariolo’s men have scored 85 or more in each of their first three games, with a variety of players who can fuel that offense.
We’re going to have the same conundrum like at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022. If Spain win, who’s the MVP? Is it Willy? Is it Juancho? Is it Aldama? Is it Juan Nunez? Do they care? They don’t. They just do the most Spanish thing and win as a team.
Number of World Cup appearances: 15th appearance
Best result: 6th in 1978 and 1982
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 15th
This tweet is important, because only three of the 18 champions have reached gold despite not winning their group. And Canada not only won the group, they won it with so much authority that it looked scary at times.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks like he’s in fourth gear, and it’s still two gears too much for anybody else at this level, while the entire team is shooting 55 percent from the field and 43 percent from deep. Scary sounds about right!
For the first-time in FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup history, Canada finishes first-place in Group Phase.

This team is making history in Jakarta. #FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/ohm97YSNzP
 
Number of World Cup appearances: 7th appearance
Best result: 3rd in 2002
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 11th
Admit it, you looked at the last edition of the Power Rankings and said, “LOL Germany at 2, this is ridiculous!” Well, a Franz Wagner-less win over Australia probably changed your mind, especially because Dennis Schroder has every intention to make the MVP debate even more interesting.
Germany are enjoying their finest post-Nowitzki days, even Anthony Edwards said Germany gave them the most problems during the preparation period this summer. A re-match between USA and Germany would be… Sorry, could not finish sentence, we were drooling over the keyboard and it died.
Number of World Cup appearances: 19th appearance
Best result: winners in 1954, 1986, 1994, 2010, and 2014
FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE: 2nd
It’s a bit cold in the Mall of Asia Arena, because of the windmill called Anthony Edwards firing on all cylinders! He’s everything you imagine him to be, and he’s confident enough to say out loud that he’s going to chase Kevin Durant’s 38-point record in the national team jersey.
Add to the mix the lineup tweaks by coach Steve Kerr and his staff, add more greatness by fan favorite Austin Reaves, and you get a clear favorite to re-take the World Cup title.
A post shared by FIBA Basketball World Cup (@fibawc)
 
*The power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.

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