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The NBA offseason may be in full swing, but a number of stars have willingly answered the call to carry the flag in Window 3 of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Even with a chance to rest and recover from a long season, a number of NBA stars did not waste time to return to national team duties in Window 3 of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
And while their respective squads have fared quite well without them, added firepower from the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic were certainly welcome at the tailend of Round 1 action.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Now rocking a buzz cut, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed the way for Canada, finishing with 26 points in their 110-84 victory against Puerto Rico. SGA was joined by fellow NBA talents including Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dillon Brooks, and Andrew Nembhard as Canada leads Group B with a 5-0 record.
Nikola Jokic
Like many European stars, Nikola Jokic readily answers national team call-ups. In his first game as captain, the Joker put up 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists in Serbia’s 97-73 beatdown of Switzerland. The win also sealed their ticket to Round 2 of the qualifiers.
Jokic last played for Serbia in the 2025 Eurobasket, where he and the Eagles settled for a 10th-place finish.
VJ Edgecombe
Coming off an All-Rookie season with the Sixers, VJ Edgecombe was key to keeping Bahamas’ World Cup dreams alive. Edgecombe’s 26-point outing against Jamaica helped the Bahamians secure a top three finish in Group B to seal their Round 2 ticket.
Now, the question is how Edgecombe and Bahamas will fare in the final round of FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Alperen Sengun
Turkiye is now one game away from a Round 1 sweep, as Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun linked up with Cedi Osman and Sehmus Hazer in their 82-75 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sengun, who led Turkey to a runner-up finish in the Eurobasket, put up 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists in his return to FIBA play.
Lauri Markannen
Coming off a landmark year for Finland, Lauri Markkanen returned to help the Wolf Pack inch closer to a top two finish in Group G. The Utah Jazz star was crucial to Finland’s 85-77 win over Hungary as he chimed in 23 points and four rebounds. Finland now holds a 4-1 record as they join France and Hungary on the way to the second round.
Rudy Gobert
Last but not least is four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, who leads an NBA core of Bilal Coulibaly, Guerschon Yabusele, and Zaccharie Risacher for France. As mentioned, Les Bleus is now qualified for Round 2, with Gobert chipping in eight points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks against Belgium.
Images from FIBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Window 3 is a set of qualifying games within the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, played during the NBA offseason. It marks the closing stretch of Round 1 action, with results determining which national teams advance to Round 2 of qualifying.
NBA players who suited up for their national teams in Window 3 include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), VJ Edgecombe (Bahamas), Alperen Sengun (Turkiye), Lauri Markkanen (Finland), and Rudy Gobert (France).
Serbia, Bahamas, Turkiye, Finland, and France have all secured spots in Round 2 of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers based on their results in Window 3, alongside Canada, which currently leads Group B undefeated.
In his first game as Serbia’s captain, Nikola Jokic recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists in a 97-73 win over Switzerland, a result that also clinched Serbia’s spot in Round 2 of the qualifiers.
Canada improved to a 5-0 record in Group B, highlighted by a 110-84 win over Puerto Rico in which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points alongside fellow NBA players Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dillon Brooks, and Andrew Nembhard.
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