THE 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup is just days away from kicking off, with the first game set to take place on Friday evening AEST.

The best basketball countries from around the world have qualified for the ultimate tournament, which will see some of the best action in recent years.

In a field that looks as even as ever, there are a plethora of sides that could potentially win it all in the coming weeks.

The big names appear to be ready to hit the court this year in one of the most star-studded tournaments of the modern era. The likes of Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and even Australia’s own Joshua Giddey are suiting up for their respective sides in what will be must-watch action.

Rookie Me Central‘s group preview series continues with the tournament kicking off tomorrow, as we put two stacked groups under the microscope.

Group E

Germany
Finland
Australia
Japan

It is hard to pick a favourite to come out of the first round in clear fashion, but the closest to this would be Germany, given it has been solidly building over the last decade and looks in strong form.

Following an early exit in the 2019 tournament, Germany has been improving over the past couple of years, and now appears truly ready to contend at this year’s World Cup. The roster is as stacked as it has been during this period, headlined by Dennis Schroder who looks a chance to take over the tournament, making the team tough to stop.

Speaking of improved rosters, the Australian Boomers also look a chance to take home silverware at the World Cup with a plethora of NBA talent joining the team. Giddey, Dyson Daniels and Josh Green have announced themselves as the next generation of Boomers, and will look to lead the team into a new era, starting in their first game against Finland on Friday. The Boomers claimed four wins from five wins in their warmup games, and will look to hit the ground running.

Finland will be led by one man and one man only in Lauri Markkanen, who has emerged as a genuine star in the NBA over the past 12 months. Both he and Finland will be hopeful that form translates into FIBA, and if he can prove a reliable source of scoring against some more balanced sides, Markkanen could lead his side past some stacked teams.

Japan rounds out the group and will be looking to improve in comparison to its past performances at World Cup level. However, some things were not going the team’s way during those campaigns, and a fully healthy Yuta Wantanabe will be vital for Japan’s success. A strong offensive player who can knock down the three ball with ease, Wantanabe will be the go-to option for Japan as it looks to knock off some of the tournament favourites.

Group F

Slovenia
Cape Verde
Georgia
Venezuela

A Doncic-led Slovenia side headlines Group F in terms of star power and potential to go deep into the tournament.

One of the best players in the world, Doncic is the biggest name in the tournament, and will be one of the most important players in the World Cup. Although he underperformed in the 2022 EuroBasket Quarter Final, the 24-year-old will be looking to make amends for that performance, and when in form, he can single-handedly win a game, immediately making Slovenia contenders.

Venezuela will be a solid contender to Slovenia in this group however, looking to implement its high-pressure game to force plenty of turnovers. In the 2019 World Cup, it picked up a couple of wins and looked not far off making the Quarter Finals, and should be about the mark once again.

Both Georgia and Cape Verde are making a debut in the World Cup, and will be eager to pick up a maiden win as soon as possible. Georgia was bested by the Boomers in a warmup match on Tuesday, but was competitive at times throughout the match. Cape Verde is the smallest ever nation to make the World Cup, but Edy Tavares is always dangerous in the low block, so it could snag an upset and create history for the country.