By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Countless buckets made on courts all around the world over the last 12 months shaped a spectacular year for basketball.
The countdown to 2024 is about to finish. A New Year projecting plenty more iconic basketball moments, especially considering a meeting of the best players in the world next summer via the Olympic Games. But 2023 was pretty special as well.
Getting ready for more, Eurohoops sits back recalling the best basketball moments of the year, and presents the top ten.
European stars spreading dominance across the best league in the world and Germany winning gold in the 2023 FIBA World Cup naturally stand out alongside more interesting events.
Career highlights for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak has been the franchise cornerstone for several years. Leading the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship was not the case in 2023. But pouring in a career-high 64 points marked December.
Closing out a year packed with additional records, including becoming the all-time rebounds leader in Bucks history, he set his new individual best in points against the Indiana Pacers, the best scoring performance of a European player in a single NBA game.
Signing a contract extension in October, Antetokounmpo committed to staying in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future. Teaming up with Damian Lillard certainly sets up the opportunity for a second championship ring.
Make room for the Bahamas
2024 is an Olympic Year. Yet 2023 introduced Pre-Qualifying Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.
Initially missing the chance to compete in the World Cup, 35 countries earned an additional opportunity to advance to the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Intense competition across Nigeria, Argentina, Syria, Estonia, Poland, and Turkiye once more highlighted the globalization of basketball. Bahamas, Bahrain, Cameroon, Croatia, and Poland ended up making the cut, while Argentina and Turkiye were among the favorites eliminated.
The next step for the five advancing countries would be more upsets next summer to clinch a berth in the Olympic Games. Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon suiting up for the Bahamas make the next step seem probable. Successful or not, basketball is a global sport.