2017 AmeriCup Preview
Picture: FIBA.com
This week there will be a big basketball vibe running across South America, as the always lively and hotly contested FIBA AmeriCup begins its 2017 edition.
A re-branding of the Americas championship which has taken place bi-annually from 1980, the AmeriCup has expanded to include 12 teams, the most that has ever competed for the pan-continental crown.
The teams play in three groups of four, each taking place in a different host nation, the winners of each group and the runner-up of Group B all advancing to the medal round. (Your guess as to why is as good as anyone's). If history is anything to go by, any of the following teams have it within them to take the conitnental title.
Our run-down of all the teams begin in Group A with Brazil, who need to do more to encourage their big-name players to compete in tournaments other than the World Cup and the Olympics. Depleted rosters have seen them exit the last two Americas championships early, and their squad for 2017, while talented, lack all the skills needed for Brazil to be a championship quality team.
Hosts of Group A Colombia will be helped greatly by star forward Michaell Jackson (not that one), but they have it all to do here in their AmeriCup debut, particularly given their first round opponents.
In seemingly no time at all, Mexico have transformed themselves into a fierce, attacking team able to compete with the world's best. In 2013 they were a last minute replacement for suspended Panama, but they shocked the world and actually won the tournament. Amazing shooter Hector Hernandez will be a big part of Mexico's campaign here.
Puerto Rico are one of the more successful teams at the tournament, having won three times, though the last time was in 1995. Their stars, including J.J. Barea, Carlos Arroyo and Renaldo Balkman, are now giving way to a new, young team, who won last year’s Central American championship - will they be able to do the same in the AmeriCup?
Group B hosts Argentina have long been one of the best teams in the Americas, and indeed the world, though that's becoming less so as time goes on. They are still overly reliant on their ageing stars, though 37-year-old Luis Scola has not let time dwindle his talents. They will be relying on their inside play and resolve to go all the way to help see them through this year's AmeriCup.
A new generation of highly talented players have raised Canada’s standing and perception in the basketball world. Coach Jay Triano does well to organize his squad, whose communication and offensive strength have seen them come on leaps and bounds. One to watch here will be Portland Trail Blazers power forward Andrew Nicholson.
Venezuela stunned everyone at the tournament’s last outing, taking the gold medal. One of the more unconventional and entertaining outfits on the world stage, their loyal, tight-knit players have worked hard together in establishing themselves as a serious team. With many of their championship-winning team returning, there's every chance they could do it again.
Virgin Islands’ play lacks polish, but it gets the job done. They are a solid side, open to some moments of exuberance, and will be looking to their star of many years Walter Hodge, whose skills he honed from years playing in Europe and Central America.
Finally in Group C, after years in obscurity, Dominican Republic began to emerge as one of the Americas premiere teams in 2011. Though they are yet another team without their big-name players, their physical strength and ball handling abilities continue to see them a big force in international basketball.
Panama’s biggest flaw is an inability to endure. They can shoot, defend and go to the basket as good as any other team, but being unable to perform consistently throughout a tournament continues to limit their successes. Gary Forbes will once again be bringing his near-decade of pro experience to the team.
Led by exceptional centre Esteban Batista, Group C hosts Uruguay entered the previous two tournaments as underdogs and emerged as one of the biggest surprise packages. With their standard continuing to grow, they are not far off from a big success. Could 2017 be their year?
A lot of expectation will be behind USA, but no NBA stars will be suiting up for them, with almost all their players coming from the feeder G League. That being said, behind the players’ skills, the side's pedigree and the guidance of Jeff Van Gundy, this USA team should be no less of a threat and can go the distance in the tournament.
For everything more you would need to know about to the tournament, head to the official website of the 2017 AmeriCup.
