By Chris Harris Contributor
Updated 8/24/23 3:33pm ET
With the NBA training camp still over a month away, it’s been a lonely summer for basketball fans. But rest assured, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it all heats up this weekend. 32 nations are set to compete in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which is slated to begin on Aug. 25.
The United States is the current favorite at -130 odds so domination is far from guaranteed. The stiffest challenge will likely come from France and Serbia, the latter of which has Luka Doncic.
Odds to win the tournament
| Country | Odds |
| USA | -130 |
| France | +800 |
| Canada | +1000 |
| Australia | +1000 |
| Serbia | +1400 |
| Spain | +1400 |
| Slovenia | +1600 |
| Germany | +1800 |
| Greece | +2500 |
| Lithuania | +4000 |
The American roster is not only long and athletic but also functions as a cohesive and unselfish team. The U.S. is 5-0 in pre-tournament exhibition play.
Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson and Brandon Ingram are top scorers with an ideal floor general and playmaker in Tyrese Haliburton. At their respective positions, lockdown defenders Mikal Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler provide depth off the bench, while the frontcourt is anchored by reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero.
It should be noted that this is the first USA Basketball team that Grant Hill has presided over as the Managing Director of the national team.
USA plays its first game on Aug. 26 at 8:30am ET and can be viewed on ESPN2. The tournament will run through Sep. 10 for the championship game. A full FIBA Schedule can be found here.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
