2023 FIBA World Cup Group A Predictions, Picks, and Preview: Teams, Key Players, Odds, and Schedule

• The 2023 FIBA World Cup Group A features Italy, the Dominican Republic, Angola, and the Philippines
• Italy are favored to advance as group winners because of their depth
• Karl-Anthony Towns is tasked with leading the Dominican Republic
• The Philippines will rely on Utah Jazz star, Jordan Clarkson in the group stage

The 2023 FIBA World Cup is upon us.

Excitement is building, with less than three days left before the tournament starts in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

There is much to look forward to in one of the biggest sporting events of the year, so let us start with the four teams in Group A.

Italy

Italy head into the World Cup as the favourites to win Group A, thanks to their strong mix of youth and experience.

Nicolo Melli, Achille Polonara, Luigi Datome, Stefano Tonut, and Giampaolo Ricci have played together in the national team for many years now.

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Joining the veteran players in this year’s World Cup are Marco Spissu, Simone Fontecchio, and Nico Mannion, per FIBA.com.

Fontecchio had a solid rookie year with the Utah Jazz last season, averaging 6.3 points per game. He shot 36.9 percent from the field, including 33.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Mannion has become a vital cog for Italy as well, averaging 15 points per contest on 40 percent shooting from deep in their eight World Cup qualifiers.

They are pegged at -162 to finish as Group A winners.

Dominican Republic

One team that can surprise in this tournament is the Dominican Republic. They have one of the best centres in the world in their lineup in Karl-Anthony Towns.

Los Quisqueyanos have waited for very long for Towns to represent their country, and that moment has finally arrived in this year’s World Cup.

He showed what he could do for his nation, leading the team to an upset win over No. 15 Canada and a narrow loss to powerhouse Spain in their exhibition matches before the World Cup.

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Another player who is expected to step up for the Dominicans is Lester Quinones. The Warriors guard scored 12 points in the 86-77 loss to Spain.

They are pegged at +150 to finish as Group A winners.

The Philippines

Tournament co-hosts Philippines hope a World Cup on home soil will help them reach the second round of this quadrennial event for the first time in decades.

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson will be the one tasked to lead the Philippines in the group stage.

The Utah Jazz star averaged 20.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game last season.

They are pegged at +1100 to finish as Group A winners.

Angola

Angola are long shots to reach the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

They have lost many of the veteran leaders that played for them in the past World Cups, including five players who suited up for a combined 77 games in this major tournament over their careers.

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Angola also have a size issue at the guard position, with Childe Dundao and Gerson Domingos standing just 5'6" and 5'10", respectively.

They are pegged at +10000 to finish as Group A winners.

Group A Schedule (EST)

August 25

Angola vs. Italy (4:00 a.m.)

Dominican Republic vs. Philippines (8:00 a.m.)

August 27

Italy vs. Dominican Republic (4:00 a.m.)

Philippines vs. Angola (8:00 a.m.)

August 29

Angola vs. Dominican Republic (4:00 a.m.)

Philippines vs. Italy (8:00 a.m.)

Writer's Prediction

Italy (-162) finish top of Group A, with the Dominican Republic joining them in the second round.

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