By Stathis Trapezanlidis/ info@eurohoops.net
As we are counting down for the starting of the FIBA World Cup 2014 in Spain, Eurohoops presents the records of the tournament. Here’s the best ever numbers of the previous years and some of those records are not expected to be broken any time soon
1. Top scorer – Oscar Schmidt (843 points)
Oscar Schmidt took part in four FIBA World Cups having 35 appearances with Brazil’s national team. He is the all time top scorer with 843 points, while in Argentina (1990) he was the top scorer of the tournament with 34.6 points per game. In Philippines (1978) he won the bronze medal with Brazil. He is member of the FIBA Hall of Fame since 2010 and a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame since 2013.
2. Best offensive performance in a tournament – Nick Galis (337 points – 33.7 points per game)
Nikos Galis scored 337 points in a tournament (1986 in Spain), which is the highest ever total number in a FIBA World Cup. He led Greece’s national team in 10th place. He is member of the FIBA Hall of Fame since 2007.
3. Most presences: Maciel Ubiratan, Marcel de Sousa, Phil Smyth (5 participations)
Brazilians Maciel Ubiratan (1963, 1967, 1970, 1974, 1978), Marcelo de Souza (1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990) and Australian Phil Smith (1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994) were present in five FIBA World Cups. Marcel de Sousa won the bronze medal in Philippines (1978).
4. Most top scorer titles – Dirk Nowitzki (2 times)
Dirk Nowitzki is the only player who has won the top scorer title twice (2002-216 p., 2006 – 209 p.). In Indianapolis (2002) he led the German national team to the bronze medal.
5. Most games appearances: Maciel Ubiratan (41 matches)
Maciel Ubiratan took part in five World Cups playing in 41 matches, more than any other player. From 1963 to 1978 he won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. In 2009 he became a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame, and in 2010 he became a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame.
6. Most points in a game: Jae Hur (54 points)
Korean Hur Jae scored 54 points against Egypt in Argentina (1990) in the group phase of the tournament. Nick Galis is in second (53 p.) on the list and Oscar Schmidt (52 p.) third.