FIBA World Cup Group A Odds, Predictions, Betting Picks

Who Is the Favorite to Win Group A at the FIBA World Cup?

Italy (-146)

Odds to win the World Cup: +5500

Odds to win Group A: -146

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 9

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 43-31 (.581)

Best World Cup Finish: 4 (1970, 1978)

Head Coach: Gianmarco Pozzecco

Key Players: Simone Fontecchio, Nicolo Melli, Luigi Datome

NBA Players: Simone Fontecchio (UTA)

Italy reached the FIBA World Cup after a rocky start to their qualification campaign. After hiring Gianmarco Pozzecco in the summer of 2022, the Italians found their form behind the performance of Simone Fontecchio as they upset Serbia in the FIBA Eurobasket Quarter-Finals. They booked their spot at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup after defeating Georgia 85-84 during the November 2022 window.

Italy is the odds-on favorite to win Group A, but they'll have plenty of competition. Despite being perennial contenders in Europe, Italy still needs to reach the FIBA Basketball World Cup podium. Their mix of youthfulness and experience will aid them, with Nicolo Melli and Gigi Datome anchoring an offense led by Simone Fontecchio and Nico Mannion.

We expect Italy to be the top contender to win Group A. Their experience and consistency are something to worry about, and their hot run of form to close out their qualification and exhibition window helps their case. There will be questions about their ability to compete in the paint, but their shooting prowess can compensate.

Who Are the Contenders to Win Group A at the Fiba World Cup?

Dominican Republic (+136)

FIBA World Ranking: 23

Odds to win the World Cup: +9500

Odds to win Group A: +136

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 4

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 6-12 (.333)

Best World Cup Finish: 12 (1978)

Head Coach: Nestor "Che" Garcia

Key Players: Karl-Anthony Towns, Chris Duarte, Al Horford, Victor Liz

NBA Players: Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN), Chris Duarte (SAC), Al Horford (BOS)

Dominican Republic shocked the world when they came out as one of the representatives of the Americans at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. After losing to Brazil in the Quarter-Finals of the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup, Dominican Republic re-hired Nestor Garcia for their final qualification window. In one of the greatest upsets in FIBA America's history, Dominican Republic overcame a 61-44 deficit to Argentina during the last qualification window to book their spot in the World Cup!

Group A has a clear favorite to win in Italy. Still, after their historic qualification for the FIBA World Cup, Dominican Republic has added some exciting members to its potential roster. While Jean Montero and Victor Liz impressed during the qualification windows, a trio of NBA stars may join the team in August. Chris Duarte and Al Horford are two NBA players who are expected to join the team, and the potential inclusion of Karl-Anthony Towns, who hasn't played for the Dominican Republic since 2012, could change the balance of power in Group A.

At this time, Nestor Garcia still needs to name his final twelve-man roster for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Mainstays like Vitor Liz and Andres Feliz are expected to stay with the team. Still, the opportunity to bring in three NBA players may define Dominican Republic's chances in the group and at the tournament. Regardless of their makeup, the Dominican Republic projects to compete for second in Group A, but an NBA-calibre injection could make them darkhorse contenders for first.

Philippines (+1500)

FIBA World Ranking: 40

Odds to win the World Cup: +20000

Odds to win Group A: +1500

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 7

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 13-27 (.325)

Best World Cup Finish: 3 (1954)

Head Coach: Chot Reyes

Key Players: Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos

NBA Players: Jordan Clarkson (UTA)

Asia's most decorated country at the FIBA World Cup, the Philippines owns the continent's only medal at the world's top basketball competition. They qualified for their seventh FIBA World Cup through a tumultuous period, where they went through three head coaches, and only one player played more than four qualifier matches. As one of the host nations, the Philippines did not need to qualify through tournament play and used the qualification windows as an evaluation process for their domestic and naturalized talent.

The Philippines still needs to trim their preliminary roster to 12 from 21. Mainstays like June Mar Fajardo, Bobby Ray Parks, and 7'4 big man Kai Sotto are expected to join the squad. However, there's an exciting battle for the naturalized position as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee, and Ange Kouame hope to represent their country at the World Cup.

Expectations are low for the Philippines, but the host country will aim to capitalize on one of its most talented rosters in recent history. They'll strive to improve on their World Cup performance in 2019, where they fell to Italy and Angola in Group D, two teams who they'll face in Group A this year. The Philippines are expected to compete for third in the group, but home-court advantage and promise around the quality of their roster may be enough to push them into the second knockout phase.

Angola (+5500)

FIBA World Ranking: 41

Odds to win the World Cup: +20000

Odds to win Group A: +5500

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 9

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 15-36 (.294)

Best World Cup Finish: 9 (2006)

Head Coach: Josep Claros

Key Players: Bruno Fernando, Childe Dundao, Yanick Moreira

NBA Players: Bruno Fernando (ATL)

Angola is a regular at the FIBA World Cup and enters the 2023 tournament with eyes on qualifying for the second group phase. It took until the February window for Angola to be eligible for the FIBA World Cup. Still, they dominated the qualification process after routing Cape Verde and confirming their position at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Head coach Josep Claros has many options for the FIBA World Cup and will have difficulty paring his roster down to 12. Despite his short stature, star guard Childe Dundao will be a favorite as his dynamic play inspired Angola through the February qualification window. They'll also have the services of Atlanta Hawks center Bruno Fernando, who last played for the squad in August 2022. The role players will be critical to Angola's chances, and finding places for Silvio De Sousa and Yannick Moreira would boost their chances despite their longtime absence from the squad.

Angola will fight to stay out of the bottom position in the first group stage, but they've proven to be an organized and athletic roster. Coming up against their opponents from the 2019 group stage, Italy and the Philippines, Angola will be motivated to show they've improved on the world stage. However, regarding their chances of topping the group, it'd be considered a miracle for Angola to win Group A.