The 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup was the 33rd edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup. The tournament was hosted in the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. It was the first time Singapore hosted the tournament, as well as the first time the tournament is being held in Asia.[1]
It was the second Intercontinental Cup in the same calendar year, as the tournament cycle was changed to September to better adapt to the club's schedules. It was also the first tournament under an expanded format with six teams, with two teams from Asia being added.
Location of teams of the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup Singapore
Contrary to the previous seasons, the NBA G League Ignite were pre-selected as representatives for the NBA G League and were the first known team to participate. Two representative from Asia (a pre-selected Chinese Basketball Association club and another) were added as FIBA announced that the competition would expand from four to six teams.[1]
The 2023 season was the first of three tournaments to be held in Singapore in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, under an agreement between FIBA and Sport Singapore, an organisation controlled by the country's government. Opened in 1989, the indoor arena can host 12,000 people for sporting events and is located in the Singapore Sports Hub.
Al Ahly defeated the NBA G League Ignite 82–76 to become the first African team to win a game in Intercontinental Cup history.[7] The following day, Al Ahly was easily defeated by Brazilian side Franca, 90–70. Franca's 41-year old David Jackson led the team with 22 points, Lucas Dias and Márcio Santos both added 21 points.[8] On the last day, Sesi Franca beat the NBA G League Ignite 98–89 to clinch the first place in Group A and to qualify for the final.[9]
The first game of the tournament was between Telekom Baskets Bonn and Al Manama, in which Bonn comfortably defeated Manama 105–50 behind 28 points from Sam Griesel.[7] On the second day, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls made their debut with a convincing 95–78 victory over Manama, relegating them to the fifth place game.[8] Bonn blew out the Golden Bulls on the third gameday to qualify for the final.[9]
The NBA G League Ignite captured the fifth place following their 80–60 win over Al Manama. Heading into the last three minutes, it was a close-contested game as the score was 63–60 with 3:33 remaining. From that point, the Ignite's Babacar Sané scored five straight points, followed by two three-pointers and a Ron Holland dunk that gave the Ignite a 17–0 run in the final three minutes. Sané had a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds, Ron Holland finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds.[10]
In the first half, Al Ahly had a lead as big as 11 points, however the Zhejiang Golden Bulls took control in the second half. Reggie Perry had a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds. Wu Qian contributed 20 points and 5 assists. The Golden Bulls became the first Chinese team to reach the podium in the Intercontinental Cup. Al Ahly finished fourth, which was the third time in a row the African representative finished in this position.[11]
In a tightly contested game, Telekom Baskets Bonn went into the final two minutes with the advantage, coming off a three-pointer by Christian Sengfelder. Glynn Watson Jr. made a floater to put Bonn up 69–68 with 38 seconds left in the game. Franca missed their last shot and did not foul with 26 seconds left in the game. After a shot clock violation, Franca coach Helinho called a time-out as the Brazilians prepared to inbound the ball in front court. Franca inbounded the ball Lucas Dias who scored a fadeaway jumper in the post to beat the buzzer.[2] Finishing with a score of 70–69, it was the second final to finish by a single point margin, following the first leg of 2015 between Bauru and Real Madrid. Franca became the third Brazilian team to win the Intercontintenal Cup, after Sírio and Flamengo.[2]David Jackson, at age 41, was named the FIBA Intercontinental Cup MVP following his 12 points and 8 assists in the final.[2]
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