The second round schedule for the 2023 FIBA World Cup was announced Aug. 30, with the 16 teams divided into four groups. Canada, 3-0 in the first round with a plus-minus of 111, is in Group L, along with Spain, Brazil, and Latvia. The Canadians will face 2-1 Brazil on Friday, Sept. 1 at 9:30 am eastern time, and Spain, who also finished the first round 2-1, on Sunday, Sept. 3, also at 9:30 am eastern.
Group I consists of 3-0 Serbia and 3-0 Dominican Republic, alongside 2-1 Italy and 2-1 Puerto Rico. Group J is led by 3-0 USA, along with 3-0 Lithuania, 2-1 Montenegro, and 2-1 Greece. Slovenia and Germany, both 3-0, lead Group K, with Australia and Georgia also advancing. 2-1 Latvia is the fourth country in Group L.
Thus far, the Canadians lead the tournament in points scored, with 324, and points per game with 108. The United States is second in that department with 318 total points scored and 106 points per game. Serbia is just behind at 314.
Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, averaging 22 points per game, is the fifth-highest scorer in the tournament to this point, while Dallas Mavericks’ superstar Luka Doncic is first, averaging 30. Players who remain in the tournament that are in the top 10 in scoring so far are Nikola Vucevic of Montenegro (20.7 points) and Germany’s Dennis Schroder (19.7 points).
Canada’s first place finish in the opening round was the first outright group win for the country in the history of the tournament, and this marks the first time since 1998 that they have advanced to the second round.
Thus far, Brazil defeated Iran 100-59, lost 96-78 to Spain, and prevailed 89-77 against Côte d’Ivoire. Former Toronto Raptors’ first round pick Bruno Caboclo (20th overall in 2014), who played with the Raptors through the 2018 season and also played for the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets, is averaging 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in the tournament. Brazil also boasts former Los Angeles Laker Marcelo Huertas, who played in Los Angeles from 2015-2017, as well as former Chicago Bull big man Christiano Felicio, who played with the Bulls from 2015-2021. Yago Santos, the reigning Bundesliga Finals Most Valuable Player, leads the world’s 13th-ranked team in scoring in this tournament with 17.3 per game.
On August 17, Canada defeated Spain in a tough overtime contest 85-80, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 22 points. Canada is just 3-7 in all-time matchups with Brazil, with the Brazilians last prevailing on Sept. 2, 2022 by a score of 72-63 in the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup. Current Boston Celtic and Toronto, ON native Delano Banton led Canada in the game with 20 points. He was the only Canadian playing in that game who is presently in the NBA.
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