The Knicks Fan's Guide to the FIBA Basketball World Cup
The New York Knicks will have four players participating in the FIBA World Cup when the tournament tips off on Aug. 25 in Asia. Spain is the defending champion of the tournament, topping Argentina for the second title four years ago in China.
Here's a comprehensive guide on all things Knicks for the group stage of the FIBA World Cup ...
United States
Team USA is the only team in the tournament with multiple Knicks on its roster. Star point guard Jalen Brunson will see plenty of time likely splitting those duties with Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers. Brunson has been in the starting five for each of the first four tune-up exhibitions with one more coming against Germany in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (12 p.m. ET, Fox).
In addition to Brunson, Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart will also be playing for Team USA. Hart joined New York via a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers at last season's trade deadline. He recently signed a four-year $81 million extension to stay a Knick after previously agreeing to play the 2023-24 season on the player option that came over from Portland.
USA Group C Schedule (@ Pasay)
8/26: New Zealand (8:40 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
8/28: Greece (8:40 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
8/30: Jordan (4:40 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
Canada
New York forward RJ Barrett will be heavily featured for Team Canada when the group stage rolls around. With Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander running the offense for Canada, Barrett can play off of him as the main option on the wing. The two have looked good together so far in the ramp-up games before the tournament.
CAN Group H Schedule (@ Jakarta)
8/25: France (9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
8/27: Lebanon (5:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
8/29: Latvia (9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
France:
Team France features two players that New York fans might be interested in watching, but only one current Knick. Guard Evan Fournier will be suiting up for Les Bleus in the tournament and he'll be back on the floor after falling out of the Knicks' rotation last season. Fournier will be joined by 2017 first-round pick Frank Ntilikina, who recently signed on with the Charlotte Hornets.
FRA Group H Schedule (@ Jakarta)
8/25: Canada (9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
8/27: Latvia (9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
8/29: Lebanon (5:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
Others
- Knicks prospect Rokas Jokubaitis will rep Lithuania in Group D. Jokubaitis came over to the Knicks in a trade during the 2021 draft. He'll be joined by former New Yorker Ignas Brazdeikis, whose last NBA experience came with Orlando in 2022.
- Another New York alum, Willy Hernangomez, will be helping Spain in its championship defense alongside his brother Juancho, who spent 42 games with Toronto last season. Spain will look to protect its title in Group G against Brazil, Iran, and Ivory Coast.
- Former Knicks All-Star Kristaps Porzingis, now of the Boston Celtics, was set to compete against Barrett and Fournier in Group H with Latvia but has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
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