FIBA World Cup Power Rankings: A new No. 1 (briefly) emerged after USA, Canada suffered upset losses

EDITOR’S NOTE: Our updated power rankings are found here

Now that we have reached the knockout phase of the FIBA World Cup, we have an updated look at the power rankings for each team remaining.

Spain, Argentina and France were the three medalists during the most recent FIBA World Cup in 2019. None of these national teams have made it to the knockout phase, however, which means all three teams that will medal will signify a change since the last tournament.

Australia, one of the most tempting sleepers in the tournament, was also surprisingly eliminated.

Despite both teams taking tough losses during the second round of the tournament, the United States and Canada still have the best odds to win the title. USA (-135) and Canada (+500) are the two favorites, per BetMGM, based on what we have seen so far.

That doesn’t mean, however, that these are the best teams on the court. We ranked which national teams currently have the best chance to stand on the podium when it is all said and done.

FIBA World Ranking: 10

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 4-1

NEXT OPPONENT: USA (Sept. 5 @ 8:40 AM)

Italy has the least potent offense (80.8 ppg) of any team that advanced to the knockout phase of the tournament. They are currently tied for the lowest 3-point percentage (31.4 percent) of any team that advanced past the second round. Italy has very a tough draw playing against the United States during the quarterfinals.

NOTE: Italy was eliminated on Sept. 5 after losing to Team USA

FIBA World Ranking: 29

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 4-1

NEXT OPPONENT: Germany (Sept. 6 @ 4:45 AM)

Despite playing without Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed the 2023 FIBA World Cup due to injury, Latvia is perhaps the biggest Cinderella story of the tournament. They are shooting the ball well but on the other side of the court, there are concerns. Against a half-court offense so far in this tournament, per Synergy, Latvia has allowed the most points per possession (0.947 PPP) and per game (71.2 ppg) among all teams remaining.

FIBA World Ranking: 7

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 4-1

NEXT OPPONENT: Canada (Sept. 6 @ 8:30 AM)

Even though Luka Doncic is arguably the best player in the tournament and leads all players in scoring thus far, Slovenia has the second-worst offense (88.4 percent) of any team to advance past the second round. Slovenia has the lowest point differential (33) of any team remaining in the tournament as well. Doncic looks unguardable in the pick-and-roll and in the post but he’ll need help to advance much further in the tournament, especially slowing the opposing transition offense.

FIBA World Ranking: 6

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 4-1

NEXT OPPONENT: Lithuania (Sept. 5 @ 4:45 AM)

Serbia currently has the highest point differential (122) of any team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. They have also maintained the most efficient offense (1.19 points per possession) of all teams in tournament play as well, per Synergy. Additionally, no team is scoring at the basket (42.8 ppg) more often than Serbia. But it is Atlanta Hawks wing Bogdan Bogdanovic (18.4 ppg and 5.2 apg) who is arguably having the best tournament out of anyone except for Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

RELATED: Nikola Jovic sure looks like the centerpiece of a Damian Lillard trade during the FIBA World Cup

FIBA World Ranking: 15

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 4-1

NEXT OPPONENT: Slovenia (Sept. 6 @ 8:30 AM)

Despite two close games, including one loss to Brazil, Canada will enter the knockout round with the second-highest point differential (110) of any team in the tournament. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is arguably the best one-on-one scorer in the tournament. But on the other side of the ball, his teammates have impressed as well. Even with a loss, Canada has allowed the fewest points per game (7.6 ppg) and per possession (0.884 PPP) against a transition offense, per Synergy.

RELATED: Meet the Canadian roster at the 2023 FIBA World Cup

FIBA World Ranking: 2

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 4-1

NEXT OPPONENT: Italy (Sept. 5 @ 8:40 AM)

Even though Team USA lost to Lithuania, they still actually have the most potent offense (101.4 ppg) of any team in the tournament. USA is tough to stop in transition and Tyrese Haliburton leads all players in transition assists (13), per Synergy. Meanwhile, according to Synergy, Team USA’s defensive efficiency (0.831 PPP) is also the best of any team during tournament play. USA leads the tournament in both blocks (5.8) and (10.6 spg) on defense. They have also scored the second-most points at the rim among all teams remaining (37.0 ppg) and will face off against Italy, which is the team that currently has the least efficient defense at the rim (1.516 PPP) of any team in the tournament.

RELATED: Here are the 12 players representing the United States at the 2023 FIBA World Cup

FIBA World Ranking: 11

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 5-0

NEXT OPPONENT: Latvia (Sept. 6 @ 4:45 AM)

Germany has allowed the fewest points per game (72.4 PPG) of all teams during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, per Synergy. They have also allowed the fewest points per possession against a set defense (0.819 PPP) during the tournament as well. It is unclear whether or not Franz Wagner is able at all to return to action after missing time with an injury, but his health is one of the biggest storylines to follow as the tournament continues. But without Wagner on the court, Germany’s Dennis Schroder has looked like a legitimate sleeper candidate for tournament MVP.

FIBA World Ranking: 8

TOURNAMENT RECORD: 5-0

NEXT OPPONENT: Serbia (Sept. 5 @ 4:45 AM)

Lithuania pulled off a massive upset against Team USA and leads the 2023 FIBA World Cup in rebounding (44.2 rpg) thus far. They also have the best 3-point percentage (46.4 percent) of any team in the tournament and it isn’t particularly close. No other team is even shooting better than 41.0 percent from beyond the arc. Lithuania maintains the most potent half-court offense (86.2 ppg) by a wide margin and they are generating a ton of catch-and-shoot jumpers. Jonas Valanciunas, meanwhile, has looked unstoppable in the pick-and-roll thus far.

NOTE: Lithuania was eliminated on Sept. 5 after losing to Serbia

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