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

• The 2023 FIBA World Cup Group B features Serbia, China, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan
• Serbia are favored to advance as group winners because of their depth
• Tremont Waters is tasked with leading Puerto Rico in the World Cup
• China will rely on Minnesota Timberwolves star, Kyle Anderson, in the group stage

The 2023 FIBA World Cup is finally here.

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

There is much to look forward to in the biggest basketball event of the year, so let us break down the four teams in Group B.

Serbia

Serbia head into the World Cup as the favourites to win Group B, thanks to their depth.

The Serbians may be missing the services of two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, but they still have a loaded lineup for the World Cup.

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Among the players in their squad are Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanovic, Miami’s Nikola Jovic, Olympiacos’ Nikola Milutinov, and Baskonia’s Vanja Marinkovic, per FIBA.com.

They are pegged at -2000 to finish as Group B winners.

Puerto Rico

Tremont Waters, a former second-round pick of the Boston Celtics, will be the one tasked to lead Puerto Rico in the group stage.

The 25-year-old has been playing exceptionally well for Puerto Rico in the build-up to the tournament.

He drained a buzzer-beater to take down Brazil during qualifying. He also scored 17 points and recorded five steals in an exhibition match against Team USA, per Bleacher Report.

They are pegged at +1400 to win Group B.

China

China decided to employ the services of NBA star Kyle Anderson as their naturalized player.

His great-grandfather was Chinese, allowing him to gain citizenship and become China’s first naturalized basketball player.

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Anderson, who is now known as Li Kaier, provides China with some size on the wing. He also can play point guard, a weapon China must utilize against taller opponents.

The Wolves star averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game last season.

They are pegged at +1800 to win Group B.

South Sudan

South Sudan are set to make their debut in the FIBA World Cup. The team dominated in the African Qualifiers, posting an impressive 11-1 record, to book their place in the quadrennial event.

Wenyen Gabriel is the biggest name playing for the African nation. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.

They are priced at +4000 to win Group B.

Group B Schedule (EST)

August 26

South Sudan vs. Puerto Rico (4:00 a.m.)

Serbia vs. China (8:00 a.m.)

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August 28

China vs. South Sudan (4:00 a.m.)

Puerto Rico vs. Serbia (8:00 a.m.)

August 30

South Sudan vs. Serbia (4:00 a.m)

China vs. Puerto Rico (8:00 a.m.)

Writer's Prediction

Serbia (-2000) to finish top of Group B, with Puerto Rico joining them in the second round.

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Curry says he's the best

Sports Brief also reported on Stephen Curry's bold claim that he's the best point guard of all time.

The four-time NBA champion made the argument on Gilbert Arenas' podcast recently.

He said that the conversation is between him and Magic [Johnson].

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