America lost shockingly in the semi-finals of the Basketball World Cup
For the second consecutive World Cup, the US could not reach the final. This is considered a disappointing result for the world's number one basketball power. With a loss to Germany for the first time in seven World Cup and Olympic encounters, the United States will have to fight for third place against Canada on Sunday, September 10. On the same day, in their first appearance in the final, Germany will meet Serbia.
The US led 60-59 after the first two innings, but lost focus in defense and lost 24-35 in the third round. The NBA stars with Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Austin Reaves or Tyrese Haliburton tried their best in the final round but could not close the gap, losing 111-113.
Although not bringing to the World Cup the best players in the NBA, the US is still the most appreciated in the tournament when the above stars are also in the "number of cheeks" in the American professional basketball tournament. Germany also has players playing in the NBA such as Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner and Daniel Theis. This trio all played well and contributed to helping Germany maintain an unbeaten record from the beginning of the tournament.
"Basketball has been globalized for more than 30 years, this is no longer 1992," US coach Steve Kerr said after the defeat. "Players around the world are better than before. Teams are stronger. It's not easy for the US to win the World Cup or the Olympics."
The US has won the World Cup five times in the previous 12 tournaments, while Germany has only won a bronze medal once. In the last tournament in 2019, Spain won after defeating Argentina in the final.
2023 is the first year the Basketball World Cup will be held in three different countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. Philippines has one win at the tournament, while Japan won three. Indonesia is the first host country not to participate in the World Cup, because its basketball team does not meet the competitiveness conditions.
The tournament took place from August 25 to September 10 with the participation of 32 teams. Before the ranking round from 1 to 8, the player scoring the most average points per match was Luka Doncic of Slovenia, with 26.7 points.
