2019 Pre-World Cup friendlies

[JGX]

August 22 and 24 in Melbourne:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/pickandroll.com.au/australias-boomers-host-usa-dream-team-etihad-stadium-2019/amp/

They're playing at a big stadium rather than a regular arena, so potential for a huge crowd.

[CKR13]

Boomers will have a good chunk of NBA players being sized up for next year. According to FOXsports AU, Ben Simmons is uncommitted as of now -- as he is making the 2020 olympics as the target.

[Dtown]

Win/Win, US gets practice games against a solid opponent in a hostile atmosphere. Australia gets an opportunity to build their brand in their country against some of the best in the world.

I do find it funny that neither team is qualified for the World Cup yet though.

[CKR13]

According to Basket AU's CEO, countries such as Serbia, Lithuania, Spain, France and Argentina have all expressed interest to play the Boomers in OZ as well.

Tweet: https://twitter.com/_DwayneRussell/s...18099529895936

[mojo13]

According to Basket AU's CEO, countries such as Serbia, Lithuania, Spain, France and Argentina have all expressed interest to play the Boomers in OZ as well.

Tweet: https://twitter.com/_DwayneRussell/s...18099529895936

Canada is also apparently going to Australia a week before the tournament for some games and to become acclimated to the general time zone. Hopefully they some games against Australia and/or the USA.

[reamily]

So who will be going to Philippines? the tournament dark horses?

[mojo13]

So who will be going to Philippines? the tournament dark horses?

You are our Philippines intel - you tell us.

I think countries are in process of scheduling games - I bet things get announced after the draw. Probably don't want to practice against teams in your own pool or the pool you might combine into.

[Federoy]

2019 Pre-World Cup friendlies

Just announced, USA vs. Spain in Anaheim, California. http://www.usab.com/news-events/news...estic-exh.aspx

[JGX]

I didn't know Spain played away friendlies. Will they bring their refs?

Australia-USA on August 22 and 24 in Melbourne. Wonder if we'll squeeze in another game (China? Korea?) prior to the start of the tournament on the 31st. I guess we could also fit in a game between the Vegas scrimmage and Spain.

[Mindozas]

I didn't know Spain played away friendlies. Will they bring their refs?

Australia-USA on August 22 and 24 in Melbourne. Wonder if we'll squeeze in another game (China? Korea?) prior to the start of the tournament on the 31st. I guess we could also fit in a game between the Vegas scrimmage and Spain.

They does sometimes, we played in Lithuania vs Spain in 2017, in 2016, in 2011

[Straight forward]

Well Gasols are getting old. Maybe Spain will be camping in US to properly rest them

[lemo]

Team China's time to shine in Vegas

Team China is embracing the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas as a valuable test ahead of hosting the FIBA World Cup.

The Chinese Basketball Association and NBA jointly announced on Thursday that the Chinese national team will join all 30 NBA teams and the Croatia national squad in the NBA Summer League 2019, marking the first time the tournament-style competition will feature two international entrants.

The 15th edition of the summer league tips off on July 5, with the 32 teams each playing four preliminary games at the Thomas& Mack Center and Cox Pavilion at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

The top eight teams advance to a single-elimination round, with the championship game on July 15.

Teams failing to qualify for the final eight will each play an extra consolation game.

The high-intensity schedule fits perfectly with Team China's preparation for the Aug 31-Sept 15 World Cup, said head coach Li Nan.

This will be the second time Team China participates in the summer league, following its 2007 debut ahead of the 2008 Beijing Games.

http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2019-...t_74600786.htm

[lemo]

FIBA W’Cup: Can D’Tigers Surpass Second Round Best Outing?

The NBBF 2nd Vice President, Babs Ogunade dispelled such insinuations on Wednesday in an interview.

According to him, the NBBF used the qualifying tournament to have a look at many players as possible, especially after qualification for the tournament was assured.

“There won’t be fringe players,” said Oguade, adding, “There will be six NBA players with our best players playing in Europe. We are going to China with our best. But everybody will fight for a shirt. There won’t be bench warmers,” I can assure you.

“I can also assure you that there won’t be spot for any home based players. So those clamouring for the inclusion of home based in the team should discard such idea, because we are going with our best.”

Some of the players that stand a chance of making the team are 6’4″ shooting guard, Joshua Okogie, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Also likely to get a good look is 7’4” Ekpedeme Friday Udoh who stars for the Utah Jazz of the NBA. There is the homeboy 6’9” Al-Farouq Aminu with Portland Trail Blazers. There is Captain Ike Diogu, who plays for Sichuan Blue Whales, a Chinese club.

Ogunade promised that the two likely ‘bigmen’ will be an NBA player.

In order to give the NBA players the assurance they need, Kida will meet with the players one by one.

“The players need that kind of assurance. They need somebody to assure them,” said Ogunade.

There is however the issue of the players’ welfare, a knotty issue that was responsible for some of the players deciding not to play for Nigeria again.

Ogunade assured that the issue of welfare won’t be a problem. In that the NBBF decision was to ensure that the players were respected and given the recognition they deserve.

“Common these players are wealthy. They can buy off everybody in the federation. But we are going to let realize that we appreciate them with the sort of accommodation, the sort of transportation that we will give them,” Ogunade noted.

“We will make the players understand that playing for Nigeria is honour and glory. We will make them understand that basketball is not football in Nigeria that gets all the attention. But we will give the players the best welfare we can give.

“We must accost the players the respect and recognition they deserve,” Ogunade added noting “they are wealthy. They can buy off all of us, but we must accord them that respect.”

https://www.independent.ng/fiba-wcup...d-best-outing/

[lemo]

Team Argentina 2019

Group B, along with Russia, Korea and Nigeria).

* Friendly tournament, from August 15 to 17, in France, Lyon, with Brazil, Montenegro and France (in that order, consecutive days).

* Friendly against Japan, where they will face Julio Lamas's team, on 22 August , in Saitama.

* Two Friendlies, already in China (specifically in Nangbo), against Russia and Spain (August 26 and 27).

[lemo]

Team Philippines 19 : Forgive and Forget: Gilas coach eyes friendly game with Aussies

The national team is in Group D of the World Cup with Serbia, Italy and Angola. New Zealand is in Group F with Greece, Brazil and Montenegro, while Australia is in Group H with Canada, Senegal and Lithuania.

Guiao said that playing either in tune up games or an international tournament like the Jones Cup in Taipei is “very important” for Gilas.

Since the PBA board, following its meeting late last month, is hesitant on disrupting its schedule that it turns down already the idea of playing in the Jones Cup, Guiao said playing Australia and New Zealand could be a good replacement.

Guiao pointed the Aussies and Kiwis have the same style as European basketball.

The Serbians are currently ranked No. 4 in the world while Italy is No. 13.

Australia is at No. 11 while New Zealand, though it is at 38th, has defeated the Philippines during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City three years ago.