🏀 Watch out for these underdogs...

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The FIBA World Cup only happens once every four years, and there are a bunch of contenders vying for this cycle’s gold medal. But if you want to watch live games in the US, just be ready for your sleep schedule to be absolutely ruined. 3:00 AM tipoffs are no joke…

Today’s Lineup

Against the Odds 🌎 Three underdogs you should be rooting for in the World Cup.

Sparks are Flying ✨ Crina breaks down a packed weekend in W, including the hottest team in basketball…

We’re Talking About Practice 🏀 Rico Hines runs are back and better than ever!

But first, try your hand at this:

FIBA Underdogs

Do you love sappy sports movies about overcoming the odds? Do you want to watch national teams filled with incredible players you’ve never heard of? Well, do we have some countries for you!

From a team of hardened veterans led by a backboard-shattering center to the youngest nation in the world (who also happens to have the youngest player in the tournament), here are three FIBA underdogs you should be supporting this year.

Cape Verde

With a population of just over 500,000, Cape Verde really isn’t supposed to be here. The smallest country in history to ever make the FIBA World Cup, this island nation off the West African coast has one of the oldest teams in the tournament.

Their starting small forward is 34-year old former Polish League Finals MVP Ivan Almeida. Running the point is 37-year old Jeff Xavier, who Big East fans might remember from back in the day. And team captain Fidel Mendonça is almost 40! Talk about a veteran presence.

But the real center of attention (literally) is former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers center Edy Tavares. Tavares never quite made it in the NBA, but the massive 7’2” big has cemented himself as the best defender in Europe—he won three of the last five EuroLeague DPOYs.

In his last major tournament (2021 AfroBasket), Tavares put up an insane 20 points, 18 rebounds, and 6 blocks against Angola, including a backboard-shattering game-tying dunk. 🤯

The Philippines

For a country where the average height is just a shade over 5-foot-1, you would never guess that Philippines’ most popular sport is basketball.

Outside the United States, there are few countries with richer hoops cultures than the Philippines. In fact, the Philippine Basketball Association is the second oldest continuously-running professional league in the world—only behind the NBA!

Since 1974, the Filipinos are a combined 3-22 in FIBA World Cup games. But could two stars help them turn things around? Young big man Kai Sotto has long been heralded as the savior of Filipino basketball, and he was a big reason why the team won the gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games back in May.

But the real game changer for the Gilas Pilipinas needs no introduction. Jordan Clarkson has long been one of the NBA’s best microwave scorers, and it’ll be on his back if this team succeeds in the tournament.

South Sudan

15 years ago, South Sudan wasn’t even a fully recognized nation. But today, led by head coach (and Chicago Bulls legend) Luol Deng, they have serious ambitions of making a deep run in the FIBA World Cup.

The South Sudanese squad might be an underdog on paper, but don’t get it twisted—this is one of the deepest teams in the whole tournament. Former Lakers and Blazers big man Wenyen Gabriel and 2023 G League MVP Carlik Jones headline the NBA talent, but behind them is a squad filled to the brim with seasoned international basketball veterans, including former Baylor star and reigning African League MVP Nuni Omot.

One more name to keep on your radar: 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach. The 16-year old isn’t just one of the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class—he’s the third youngest player in the 73-year history of the tournament. Anyone who can run the floor like this at his size has serious potential.

Huddle Up | Joe Pompliano

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Around the W With Crina

Squads across the WNBA are buckling down for the race to the playoffs, and it’s looking like the Los Angeles Sparks got hot at exactly the right time. They’ve won five in a row, with a 78-72 win against Las Vegas last Saturday highlighting the streak.

Three other teams are also fighting to try and remain in the playoff picture—the Washington Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx, and the Atlanta Dream. All three have struggled with injuries at different points throughout the season, but have shown flashes of potential as postseason contenders. Shakira Austin has returned to Washington’s lineup, Diamond Miller and Napheesa Collier are back for the Lynx, and Rhyne Howard is building on her stellar rookie year as a sophomore this season for the Dream.

Here’s how to catch up with the Sparks, the Mystics, the Lynx, and the Dream throughout the weekend:

Friday, August 25

• Los Angeles Sparks @ Atlanta Dream, 8:00pm (ionTV)

Saturday, August 26

• Las Vegas Aces @ Washington Mystics, 7:00 pm (NBA TV)

• New York Liberty @ Minnesota Lynx, 8:00 pm (League Pass)

Sunday, August 27

• Los Angeles Sparks @ Connecticut Sun, 1:00pm (CBS Sports)

• Atlanta Dream @ Indiana Fever, 4:00 pm (NBA TV)

Can these teams finish in the top eight and qualify for the playoffs, or will someone else pull off a big run? The WNBA regular season ends on September 10, with the playoffs beginning on September 13.

Frozen Moments

• We’re here for this Team USA bromance 😂

• Vanessa Bryant announced the new Kobe Bryant statue outside Staples Center 🥹

• The Pelicans’ new court is looking 🔥🔥🔥

What We’re Enjoying

Winning Olympic pre-qualifying tournament for Bahamas rejuvenates Phoenix Suns big Deandre Ayton - Duane Rankin (AZ Central)

Rico Hines Runs: An iconic part of the modern NBA offseason, Rico Hines’ scrimmages at the UCLA gym have reached legendary status. Each summer, the league’s best and brightest travel to Los Angeles to work on their game with one of basketball’s best development coaches. Yesterday’s run showed us that Ausar Thompson is a really good defender and Norman Powell is still a walking bucket. Check it out 👇

Signing Off

That’s it for today! If you feel like things haven’t been going right for you lately, just remember that life is a game of inches and you have plenty of time to catch up. Now get out there and Enjoy the weekend!

Until next time,

- Spencer Poole

Trivia Answer: The answer to today’s trivia? Who else but Kevin Love! He was an absolute monster on the boards back in Minnesota, including an insane 53-game double-double streak.

Before you go… let’s settle a debate that Steph started last week.