The 2023 World Cup starts on August 25, and 6 United League representatives are eligible to participate.
Lokomotiv Kuban head coach Aleksandar Sekulic and the Krasnodar team newcomer Jordan Morgan will defend the Slovenian national team colours, which is among the main favorites of the tournament. For the 45-year-old Slovenian specialist this will be his first participation in the World Cup. Previously, he led his country’s national team to 4th place at the 2020 Olympic Games and 6th place at EuroBasket 2022.
Slovenia’s group stage games:
– August 26, 14:30 (Moscow time): Slovenia – Venezuela
– August 28, 14:30 (Moscow time): Slovenia – Georgia
– August 30, 14:30 (Moscow time): Slovenia – Cabo Verde
There will also be two representatives in the Montenegrin national team, which made it to the World Cup for the second time in its history. The captain of the Montenegrin national team for many years is Zenit rookie Bojan Dubljevic, while the leading guard of the national team is Nikola Ivanovic, who recently joined Runa. Interestingly, at the 2019 World Cup, Dubljevic and Ivanovic were in the top 3 on their team in efficiency along with NBA player Nikola Vucevic. The VTB United League rookies should also be among the leaders of the Montenegrin national team.
Montenegro group stage games:
– August 25, 11:45 (Moscow time): Montenegro – Mexico
– August 27, 11:45 (Moscow time): Montenegro – Egypt
– August 30, 15:30 (Moscow time): Montenegro – Lithuania
Despite Nikola Milutinov and Dejan Davidovac left the VTB United League, the Serbian national team was not left without the League representatives. The expanded roster of 20 players includes forward Dusan Beslac, who recently joined Avtodor. The 24-year-old, who became the MVP of the Serbian championship last season, has never played for the national team in international tournaments, so he is highly motivated to be in the final roster for the 2023 World Cup.
Serbis group stage games:
– August 26, 15:00 (Moscow time): Serbia vs. China
– August 28, 15:00 (Moscow time): Serbia – Puerto Rico
– August 30, 11:00 (Moscow time): Serbia – South Sudan
Another player who expects to play in the 2023 World Cup is South Sudan center Koh Bar, who signed a contract with MINSK in the off-season. Bar has already played for the national team at Afrobasket 2021 and in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup, so the 26-year-old has a good chance to be in the final 12-man roster.
South Sudan group stage games:
– August 26, 11:00 (Moscow time): South Sudan – Puerto Rico
– August 28, 11:00 (Moscow time): South Sudan – China
– August 30, 11:00 (Moscow time): South Sudan – Serbia
