MANILA (Philippines) – The two biggest questions ahead of the 2023 FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup are which team will win the title and which player will be named MVP? To answer the first question, we suggest you consult our power rankings. Second, here is our “MVP Ladder” – a sort of power ranking for players in the running for the title of TISSOT MVP.

To create this ranking, we evaluated each player’s chances in the running for the MVP award. Among the main criteria that are taken into account is the fact that the team he plays for must have a chance of going far in the competition, at least up to the podium.

In 2002, Dirk Nowitzki was voted MVP when Germany won the bronze medal. Since then, the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup MVP has played for the world-champion-crowned team. This differentiates this ranking from the 30 Biggest Stars of the 2023 FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup.

This is the first volume of our “MVP Ladder” as the 2023 FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup begins.

#12 – Jonas Valanciunas – Lithuania – Interior

Birth date : May 6, 1992
Size : 2.11m / 6’11”
Association: New Orleans Pelicans (USA)

Lithuania usually always finds a way to get involved in the fight for places of honor and that is due to the quality of their player pool. Valanciunas is a winner and always makes its presence felt among the baskets.

With Domantas Sabonis absent, his role on both sides of the pitch becomes all the more important.

#11 – Karl-Anthony Towns – Dominican Republic – Interior

Birth date : November 15, 1995
Size : 2.11m / 6’11”
Association: Minnesota Timberwolves (USA)

The Dominican Republic are fast becoming the competition’s potential surprise team. One of the main reasons for this status are the so-called Karl Anthony cities.

The three-time NBA All-Star had not featured on the national team since 2013 and his return gives his country a chance to compete with the best nations.

#10 – Simone Fontecchio – Italy – winger

Birth date : December 9, 1995
Size : 2.03m / 6’8″
Association: Utah Jazz (USA)

Not much is said about Italy, but they are a team with a great mix of experienced players and promising youngsters – making them a contender for the podium. The Italians have won all of their six warm-up games this summer.

Among them is Fontecchio (27 years old), the perfect mediator between the elders and the youngest.

Fontecchio is very versatile and has long-distance skills that will help Italy go far in the tournament.

#9 – Lauri Markkanen – Finland – power forward

Birth date : May 22, 1997
Size : 2.13 m / 7’0″
Association: Utah Jazz (US)

Finland faces a tough challenge in the ‘group of death’ it shares with Germany, Australia and Japan, but if they get out of that group anything is possible.

One of the reasons to believe in his chances is the presence of Star Markkanen. The flying Finn had an excellent FIBA ​​​​​​EuroBasket 2022 and followed it up with a great NBA season. When Finland is on the podium it means Markkanen was great.

#8 – Bogdan Bogdanovic – Serbia – Full Back

Birth date : Aug. 19, 1992
Size : 1.96 m / 6 ft 5 in
Association: Atlanta Hawks (USA)

Jokic’s withdrawal has taken the pressure off and the Serbs have enough talent to fight for a place on the podium.

Bogdanovic gives Serbia confidence in attack with his ability to score at any moment – he was the 2019 FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup’s top scorer – while providing a valuable lead in the hottest moments.

#7 – Josh Giddey – Australia – Leader

Birth date : October 10, 2002
Size : 2.00m / 6’7″
Association: Oklahoma City Thunder (USA)

Australia finally made it onto the podium at the Olympic tournament in Tokyo with a good third place. Now that they have achieved that success, the Boomers can approach the FIBA ​​Basketball World Championship with more confidence and will be hard to beat.

The strength of the Aussie collective lies in particular in the great qualities of young Giddey, who seems poised to show the world why he embodies the future of Australia’s squad. Will he be the best boomer this year? I’m sorry Patty, but we think so.

#6 – Willy Hernangomez – Spain – Interior

Birth date : May 27, 1994
Size : 2.09m / 6’10”
Association: Barcelona, ​​Spain)

No matter what tournament they play in, Spain are always among the favorites to take the title – regardless of the makeup of their squad, as we saw at last summer’s FIBA ​​EuroBasket 2022.

Willy Hernangomez was voted MVP of the continental tournament due to the damage his alternating inside and outside play caused. If Spain wants to be on the podium, they have to play their best in basketball.

#5 – Dennis Schroeder – Germany – Leader

Birth date : September 15, 1993
Size : 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in
Association: Toronto Raptors (Canada)

Germany proved what it’s capable of at FIBA ​​EuroBasket 2022: jumping onto the podium (3rd place). Most of the players present last summer are back and reinforcements have arrived: the German squad has the means to make a splash on the world stage.

The team is once again led by Schröder, whose versatility usually works wonders on both sides of the field.

#4 – Luka Doncic – Slovenia – Leader

Birth date : February 28, 1999
Size : 2.01 m / 6’7″
Association: Dallas Mavericks (USA)

It has now been six years since Slovenia won the FIBA ​​​​​​EuroBasket 2017 and some of the players who competed in that title are still there. In addition, any team using Doncic must be considered dangerous.

Doncic can take the lead at any time and when his star is on the pitch, Slovenia can keep up with everyone.

#3 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Canada – Point Guard

Birth date : July 12, 1998
Size : 1.98 m / 6’6″
Association: Oklahoma City Thunder (USA)

Canada finally seems to have given themselves the means to achieve their ambitions, even if Jamal Murray is lost. Indeed, the Canadians have a very talented squad.

One of the team’s absolute leaders is undoubtedly Gilgeous-Alexander, who not only has the ability to score at will, but can also help his picks in many other ways.

#2 – Rudy Gobert – France – Interior

Birth date : June 26th 1992
Size : 2.15m / 7’1″
Association: Minnesota Timberwolves (USA)

France are one of the favorites to win the World Cup and have an experienced and talented team. But to live up to expectations, the Blues need a Gobert at his best.

The inside player is one of the biggest dominators in the racquet, especially in defense. If Fournier then averages 25 points, he could be the one to make that ranking.

#1 – Anthony Edwards – USA – Shooting Guard

Birth date : Aug 5, 2001
Size : 1.93 m / 6’4″
Association: Minnesota Timberwolves (USA)

Many observers are promising the title in the USA and Edwards has shown in the pre-season games that he can quickly catch fire and panic the stats.

The Minnesota Timberwolves star is incredibly versatile and coach Steve Kerr could well choose to give him the ball at his hottest moments.

*This article is intended to entertain fans, is entirely subjective and is not based on any particular ranking system. All comments refer solely to their author.

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