The 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manilla, Philippines are down to four teams. Joining the United States and Serbia which reached the semifinals on Tuesday, are Canada and Germany.
The Germans beat Latvia 81-79 in the first quarterfinal of the day. Orlando Magic small forward Franz Wagner of Berlin led the Germans with 16 points. Wagner and Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis of Salzgitter each led Germany with eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Toronto Raptors point guard Dennis Schroeder led Germany with four assists.
Franz Wagner was one of four Germany players to reach double digits in scoring. He was joined by his older brother Moritz Wagner, who is a center for the Magic, Andreas Obst, and Johannes Thiemann. Obst had 13 points, Wagner had 12 points, and Thiemann had 10 points. The Wagner brothers, Theis and Schroeder are the only German players on the National Team in the National Basketball Association. Germany will be in tough on Friday in the semifinals however, as they face the United States. The Americans have won five World Cups in total.
Canada meanwhile, have qualified for their first World Cup/World Championship semifinal in the history of the tournament. On Wednesday they defeated Slovenia 100-89. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the All-Star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder from Toronto, had a double-double, as he had 31 points and 10 rebounds. Three more Canadians reached double digits in points. New York Knicks shooting guard RJ Barrett of Toronto had 24 points, while Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks of Mississauga, Ontario and Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Toronto had 14 points each. Canada will play Serbia on Friday.
