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How 9 Timberwolves can benefit from the 2023 FIBA WC competition

Bret Stuter
Bret Stuter

Dunking With Wolves

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

If iron sharpens iron, then the Minnesota Timberwolves roster will be razor-sharp when the team reconvenes for practice and preseason. After all, international basketball competition seems to be spreading on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster as quickly as the 2020 coronavirus.

It began with Minnesota Timberwolves All-Pro center Rudy Gobert’s 2022 performance in the 2022 FIBA World Cup for his native country of France. While he tweaked himself with a minor injury after the competition ended, an injury that would significantly complicate efforts to get the entire Timberwolves roster on the basketball court and introduce players to one another.

2022 Timberwolves trials and tribulations

As a result, introductions did not take place until the final preseason game last season. And that pretty much set the stage for an underwhelming performance out of the gate. In fact, the unfamiliarity would persist on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster for nearly a month. It was not until this team would fall to a 5-8 record that the pieces began to fall into place.

When it all ‘clicked,’ for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team enjoyed a five-game winning streak, its longest run of victories all season. Four of those games were on the road. Three of those victories were against 2023 NBA Playoff teams. For all intents and purposes, the Timberwolves had been climbing and the team was about as good as it would become.

As was often the case, the Timberwolves slumped, losing their next three games and two of the three losses came at the hand of bad teams. But the reason all of this is significant is that, at 10-11, the Timberwolves would lose PF Karl-Anthony Towns to an injury on November 28, 2022 loss to the Washington Wizards. That injury would bench him until four months later, returning on March 22, 2023, after the Timberwolves had played to a 36-37 record.

Minnesota Timberwolves FIBA World Cup Timberwolves News Rudy Gobert
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Wolves 2023 FIBA World Cup competition

The number of World Cup participants from the Minnesota Timberwolves roster is multiplying as we speak.  At last count, the Minnesota Timberwolves are up to seven, count ’em, seven, players who are competing. That’s as many players as will see meaningful playing time in an NBA Playoffs contest. And they are considered to be the world’s best basketball players, too.

It was not so long ago that the Timberwolves learned that a fifth player was joining the fray:

But players were only getting started in the competition. More names, recognizable Timberwolves players flocked to compete for international teams. Karl-Anthony Towns threw his hat into the ring and will compete for the Dominican Republic.

And then, even forward Kyle Anderson committed to the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition, as he will compete for China.

Two weeks later, the number of Minnesota Timberwolves players competing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup has increased to six.

Even a Timberwolves coach is in on the act. Timberwolves coach Pablo Prigioni was named as the coach of Team Argentina.

So why would NBA players whose careers be at risk of injury compete in international competition? It’s a chance to compete with and against basketball players whose reputation ascends to the best of the world. And it’s a chance to play in a different system, compete at a less intense pace, and flirt with new shots, and new strategies, and try to enhance and optimize their skill sets.

Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves News Nickeil Alexander-Walker Timberwolves Roster Anthony Edwards
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Timberwolves swarm to take over the world of basketball

So which Timberwolves are competing for which team? Well, the list has grown to now include eight players (PG Matteo Spangolo is a 2022 NBA Draft who is currently competing in the Euroleague), and even a coach.

    1. Anthony Edwards, Team USA 🇺🇸
    2. Naz Reid, Select Team USA 🇺🇸
    3. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Team Canada 🇨🇦
    4. Rudy Gobert, Team France 🇫🇷
    5. Kyle Anderson, Team China 🇨🇳
    6. Karl-Anthony Towns, Team DR 🇩🇴
    7. Luka Garza, Team Bosnia 🇧🇦
    8. Matteo Spagnolo, Team Italy 🇮🇹
    9. Coach Pablo Prigioni, Team Argentina 🇦🇷

    That works out to 50 percent of the current Minnesota Timberwolves roster. That’s an incredible accomplishment. Perhaps even more astounding is the fact that no player on the Timberwolves roster is competing for the same team. Even shooting guard Anthony Edwards (Senior USA team) and center Naz Reid (Select team USA) are on different rosters.

    So what do we know about the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition?

    The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will feature the competition between 32 participating national teams. The games will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10. The 32 participating teams will play in 92 games played over 16 days.

    Round 1 of the competition will begin on August 25, 2023. Round 2 of the competition will begin on August 29, 2023. The quarterfinals will take place on September 5, 2023. The semifinals will take place on September 8, 2023. The Championship Final will be played on September 10, 2023.

    If you are interested in learning more, you can check out the FIBA Basketball official website by clicking on this link here.
    So when do the Timberwolves players play? Here is a small sampling of the 2023 FIBA WC schedule:

    But that really doesn’t cover everyone, does it? I suppose we will need to do this the old-fashioned way, and simply cover each player and team that they play for separately.

    Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves Roster Timberwolves News 2023 FIBA WC Naz Reid
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    Select Team USA

    While Minnesota Timberwolves’ young center Naz Reid is not exactly on the Senior Team USA (the team that actually competes internationally), Select Team USA members are chosen specifically to train with Senior Team USA to aid them in preparing for international competition. And members of Select Team USA are frequently being groomed for a future role with Senior Team USA.

    Of course, Naz Reid deserves this honor, as no player has worked harder to secure his place as a positive contributor in the NBA. Because of his intense work ethic, look for him to be a very popular and productive member of Select Team USA.


    Select Team USA’s roster includes 14 players who have and will continue to train daily with the USA Men’s National Team from Aug. 3-6 in Las Vegas.  Once training with the senior team is completed, Select Team USA members are eligible to be named as replacements for injured Team USA players.

    Team Argentina Coach

    Coaching in the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition is a tough business. But for Timberwolves coach Pablo Prigioni, it’s heartbreaking as well. Despite recording an 8-4 record in the qualifying rounds, Team Argentina did not qualify for this summer’s 32-team FIBA World Cup.  That means that Team Argentina will miss the quadrennial world championship for the first time since 1982. Due to a loss to the Dominican Republic, Argentina lost tie-breakers with Venezuela and Brazil.


    Of the 32 teams to compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, seven teams will compete from the Americas — Canada (11-1), the U.S. (9-3), the Dominican Republic (9-3), Venezuela (8-4), Puerto Rico (8-4), Mexico (8-4) and Brazil (8-4).

    The two top teams from the Americas in the FIBA World Cup will qualify to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France.

    Minnesota Timberwolves Kyle Anderson 2023 FIBA WC Timberwolves News
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    China

    Perhaps it might surprise you to learn that the game of basketball is vastly popular among the citizens of China. In fact, many NBA veterans will sign on to compete in China long after their NBA careers have ended.

    But competing for Team China requires more than simple interest. So how did Kyle Anderson end up competing for Team China?  Well, it seems that Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson, whose Chinese name is Li Kaier, was eligible for Chinese citizenship through his maternal great-grandfather.

    Anderson is China’s first naturalized basketball player and his addition to the Chinese national team roster was both shocking and is viewed by many as a huge coup. Anderson is a nine-year NBA veteran who will return for his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. His 2022-23 NBA stat line looks like this:

    64 GP | 46 GS | 28.4 MPG | 9.4 PPG | 41.0 3P% | 5.3 RPG | 4.9 APG | 1.1 SPG | 0.9 BPG

    Team China will face Team Serbia in their opening game on August 26, 2023. Team China will face Team South Sudan on August 28, 2023, for their second game. And Team China will close out Round 1 by facing Team Puerto Rico on August 30, 2023, in their third game.

    Matteo Spagnolo, Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves News 2023 FIBA WC Timberwolves roster
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    Italy

    While not an official member of the Minnesota Timberwolves just yet, young point guard Matteo Spagnolo has one more year of contractual obligations to compete in the Euroleague before his arrival in the NBA is an option.  So, as it stands now, young point guard Matteo Spagnolo is likely destined to join the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2024-25 NBA season


    While the Minnesota Timberwolves are content to patiently await Matteo Spagnolo’s arrival, the team did get a sneak preview when he competed for the 2022 Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League team. While he showed some promise last year, it was clear that Spagnolo would be well served with more experience.


    Even now, the value of Matteo Spagnolo’s stock continues to rise. While he continues to improve his perimeter shot and his proficiency in distributing the basketball effectively, he is still only 20 years old and has many years of solid NBA play ahead of him. A solid showing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition would be a strong indication that he is ready for the challenges that await him in the NBA next season.

    Team Italy will face Team Angola on August 25, 2023. Team Italy will next compete against Team Dominican Republic on August 27, 2023. Finally, Team Italy will face Team Philipines on August 29, 2023.

    Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves Roster Timberwolves News Nickeil Alexander-Walker 2023 FIBA WC
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    Canada

    While our neighbor to the north is more commonly associated with the winter sport of ice hockey, the inclusion of the Toronto Raptors in the NBA is a clear sign of the growing popularity of basketball among the residents of Canada. And if you still doubt the popularity and proficiency of Canadian basketball players, just check out their roster:


    It’s quite clear that Team Canada is one of the teams to beat for any team hoping for a shot at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

    So what should Timberwolves fans look for from the 6-foot-5 205-pound veteran shooting guard? Well, in the 2021 Team Canada competition, NAW surprised many by playing in three games and averaging:

    26.3 MPG | 16.7 PPG | 38.9 3P% | 4.3 RPG | 4.0 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.0 BPG

    While he is a backup on the 2023 Team Canada roster, I feel that his performance could easily come in with similar numbers.

    Team Canada opens the competition against Team France on August 25, 2023. Team Canada’s next opponent is Team Lebanon on August 27, 2023. Finally, Team Canada will face Team Latvia on August 29, 2023.

    Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves News Rudy Gobert Timberwolves Roster 2023 FIBA WC
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    France

    When it comes to the annual FIBA World Cup competition, France’s Rudy Gobert could easily be the poster child of the event. He has been a fixture on Team France for many years and may be one of the most popular NBA players in his native country of all time.


    The 7-foot-1 256-pound All-Star NBA center has long been the gold standard for rim protection and defense in professional basketball. So what does a veteran like Rudy Gobert need to work on? Would you believe his perimeter shots?

    Gobert has been a very committed NBA player to FIBA. In fact, it is Gobert’s participation in the FIBA World Cup competition that has opened my own awareness of the popularity of the sport. Originally, I casually viewed FIBA as a form of Euroleague playoffs. Looking back, I was guilty of simply not investigating well enough to raise my knowledge.

    The NBA is truly a melting pot of international basketball talent. The Minnesota Timberwolves roster is just one example of how well professional basketball has woven the talents from the world over into a basketball league that continues to raise the bar each year. And France’s Rudy Gobert is a perfect example of that. But the Timberwolves hope that Rudy Gobert will learn how to become more active on offense while remaining injury-free throughout the competition.

    Team France will open the competition against Team Canada on August 25, 2023. Team France will face Team Latvia on August 27, 2023. Finally, Team France will face Team Lebanon on August 29, 2023.

    Minnesota Timberwolves 2023 FIBA WC Timberwolves News Karl-Anthony Towns Timberwolves Roster
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    Dominican Republic

    Karl-Anthony Towns is getting into the act this off-season as an NBA player immersed in international intrigue and world workouts. But, surprisingly, this is not his first ‘rodeo,’ as a player on an international team. When he played for the Kentucky Wildcats, the Timberwolves center represented the Dominican Republic back in 2011 at the age of 16.


    The 7-foot-0, 250-pound Timberwolves long-range marksman will be joined on Team Dominican Republic by fellow NBA players Al Horford (Boston Celtics) and Chris Duarte (Sacramento Kings)

    This is all new for the Timberwolves bread and butter veteran, but the timing is ideal. After an injury-shortened season for Towns limited him to just 29 games, he has been seeking ways to ramp up to the NBA level of competition to prepare for a huge rebound in the 2023-24 NBA season.

    Of course, Team Dominican Republic is ecstatic to land an NBA All-Star on their roster, and many believe that Towns’ ability to score in the paint and from the perimeter could improve the chances of Team Dominican Republic of winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition significantly.

    Towns’ 2022-23 season performance was significantly less than his career averages, and the belief is that if he does not show better than his average this season, he could find himself moving at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. So his performance on Team Dominican Republic could be significant for his future with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the NBA.

    Team Dominican Republic opens the competition against Team Philippines on August 25, 2023. Team Dominican Republic then turns to take on Team Italy on August 27, 2023. Finally, Team Dominican Republic’s third game will be against Team Angola on August 29, 2023.

    Minnesota Timberwolves News Timberwolves Roster 2023 FIBA WC Luka Garza
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    Bosnia

    The appearance of Timberwolves center Luka Garza on the Bosnian national team comes as no surprise. Wherever he goes, the Timberwolves’ 6-foot-10, 243-pound center seems to just excel at everything.  But don’t think that it comes easy to him. It’s actually quite the opposite, as Garza is one of the hardest-working players in the NBA. He is constantly training to become stronger, more agile, quicker, and a more accurate shooter.

    It pays off, as he continues to be recognized in basketball competitions in the G-League, in the NBA, and now internationally.

    And Luka Garza is already showing the stuff that makes great NBA Players. While he is on his second Two-Way contract with the Timberwolves, the expectation is that he will sign a standard contract with the team no later than the 2024 offseason.

    And he is proving to deserve the upgrade, as he continues to shine on every basketball court:

    Garza is the type of basketball player who seems to simply need an opportunity to shine. He needed just 8.7 minutes per game to average 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. He even has a respectable perimeter shot, sinking 35.9 percenter of his three-pointers. He will bring all of that to help Team Bosnia compete for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

    Unfortunately, Team Bosnia was eliminated from the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition by Team France.

    Minnesota Timbrwolves Timberwolves News Timberwolves Roster 2023 FIBA WC Anthony Edwards
    Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

    Senior Team USA

    The inclusion of young Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards on the Senior Team USA roster could prove to be a significant turning point for both Anthony Edwards’ career and the future of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

    Timberwolves young star Anthony Edwards is way ahead of schedule in terms of his level of play. Just 22 years old (as of his birthday on August 5, 2023), he has already competed in an NBA All-Star game, appeared in the NBA Playoffs twice, and will now compete on Team USA for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

    The honor and prestige of competing for Team USA in international competitions are very real. In fact, several NBA careers were launched to even greater heights in the aftermath of successful international competition:

    Edwards has proven to be up to the challenge, as well as to be mature enough to remain humble enough through it all. But that takes a lot of work to train to not only remain proficient but to grow and improve his level of play.  Now, he is not just training to succeed in the NBA but must exert himself even more intensely to achieve the level required to dominate the world in international basketball competition too.

    Anthony Edwards proved to be the leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022-23. Now, he will take center stage to compete in front of the world for Team USA.

    Team USA opens the competition against Team New Zealand on August 26, 2023. Team USA will play their second game of the competition against Team Greece on August 28, 2023. Finally, Team USA will play their third game of the competition against Team Jordan on August 30, 2023.

    That is a lot of international competition packed into one NBA team. Let’s hope that all of the Timberwolves players perform well, and remain healthy, throughout the competition.

Bret Stuter

Bret Stuter

Bret Stuter is the site expert for Ramblin Fan who has covered the Los Angeles Rams for 5 years. Swept up into loving professional sports from a family that listened to games on the radio, he is at home cheering for HC Sean McVay and the Rams. Articles have been featured on B/R, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, Sporting News, and Washington Post. Bret loves to fish, and watch games at sports bars over pizza.