By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
At the top of the 2024-25 winter schedule, five defending champions and a team of NBA G League selections will battle in the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
The Basketball Champions League champion Unicaja, the Basketball Champions League Americas champion Quimsa, the Basketball Champions League Asia champion Al Riyadi, the Basketball Africa League champion Petro de Luanda, the National Basketball League champion Tasmania JackJumpers, and NBA G League United will compete in Singapore between September 12 and 15.
The six participants from five continents were split into two equal groups with Unicaja, Petro de Luanda, and Al Riyadi in Group A, and Quimsa, NBA G League United, and Tasmania JackJumpers in Group B. Following pool play in the Singapore Indoor Stadium between September 12 and 14, the tournament concludes with games for first, third, and fifth place on September 15.
The 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup was the first hosted in Singapore, launching a three-year series.
In the buildup to the next installment, Stephon Marbury was named ambassador of the 34th edition of the tournament.
Previewing the second straight Intercontinental Cup in Singapore, Eurohoops presents the six contenders.
Al Riyadi
Besides topping Basketball Champions League Asia, Al Riyadi also won the FIBA West Asia Super League and the domestic league championship of Lebanon last season. From there, the Beirut outfit is challenging for the Intercontinental Cup for the first time. Former NBA player Manny Harris recently reinforced the squad, joining local star Wael Arakji and others.
Roster
- Habib Abdallah
- Ismail Ahmad
- Wael Arakji
- Youssef Ghantous
- Hayk Gyokchyan
- Manny Harris
- Elmedin Kikanovic
- Ali Mansour
- Amir Saoud
- Bilal Tabbara
- Travin Thibodeaux
- Karim Zeinoun
- HC: Ahmad Farran
NBA G League United
Moving on from one single team representing the G League in the Intercontinental Cup, an NBA G League United team was formed to potentially strengthen the bid to win the tournament. Looking into the roster, experienced forward Juan Toscano-Anderson stands out.
Roster
- Ron Baker
- Jordan Bowden
- Charlie Brown
- Deonte Burton
- Michael Foster Jr.
- Taze Moore
- Alex Reese
- Bodric Thomas
- Keisei Tominaga
- Juan Toscano-Anderson
- M.J. Walker
- Isaiah Wong
- HC: Paul Hewitt
Petro de Luanda
From nearing a triumph but falling short following the Semifinals over three consecutive years, Petro de Luanda conquered the fourth edition of BAL. The Angolan club is another newcomer to the Intercontinental Cup. The roster features players the likes of Childe Dundao and Yanick Moreira, plus recent signing Patrick Gardner. Spanish Sergio Valdeolmillos has served as the head coach since March 2024.
Roster
- Glofate Buiamba
- Clesio Castro
- Jarron Cumberland
- Solo Diabate
- Gerson Domingos
- Childe Dundao
- Nick Faust
- Jorge Filipe
- Abou Gakou
- Patrick Gardner
- Yanick Moreira
- Eduardo Simao
- HC: Sergio Valdeolmillos
Quimsa
With defending Intercontinental Cup champion Sesi Franca out in the Quarterfinals, Quimsa went on to win the 2023-24 Basketball Champions League Americas. The first BCL Americas triumph in 2020 led the Fusion to the 2021 Intercontinental Cup and a loss handed by Hereda San Pablo Burgos in Buenos Aires. The Argentinian club is the only team on the 2024 field with previous experience in the Intercontinental Cup.
Roster
- Emiliano Basabe
- Juan Brussino
- Tavario Miller
- Agustin Perez
- Fortunato Rolfi
- Nicolas Romano
- Bruno Sansimoni
- Patricio Tabarez
- Eduardo Vasirani
- Federico Zezular
- HC: Leandro Ramella
Tasmania JackJumpers
After topping the NBL for the first time in team history, the Tasmania JackJumpers emerged as the first team from Oceania to compete in the Intercontinental Cup. A quick turnaround from being an expansion team of the National Basketball League in 2021. The roster includes one player representing Australia in the 2024 Olympic Games, Will Magnay.
Roster
- Walter Brown
- Jordon Crawford
- Majok Deng
- Milton Doyle
- Anthony Drmic
- Gorjok Gak
- Fabjan Krslovic
- Sean MacDonald
- Will Magnay
- Brody Nunn
- Craig Sword
- Clint Steindl
- Reuben Te Rangi
- HC: Scott Roth
Unicaja
Coming out of the Basketball Champions League triumph, Unicaja hopes to add to a rich tradition of teams from Spain lifting the Intercontinental Cup. Fellow ACB clubs, Barcelona, Real Madrid, San Pablo Burgos, and Tenerife have combined for ten titles, more than any other country in competition history. Among a few summer additions, Killian Tillie and Olek Balcerowski powered up the bigs rotation.
Roster
- Olek Balcerowski
- Jonathan Barreiro
- Tyson Carter
- Nihad Djedovic
- Alberto Diaz
- Melvin Ejim
- Tyler Kalinoski
- David Kravish
- Dylan Osetkowski
- Tyson Perez
- Kendrick Perry
- Kameron Taylor
- Killian Tillie
- Yankuba Sima
- HC: Ibon Navarro
Photo Credit: FIBA