2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup (Singapore)

For the tournament held in February 2023, see 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup (Tenerife).

33rd edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 2023

International basketball competition

2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup Singapore

Tournament details
Host country|  Singapore
City| Singapore
Dates| 21–24 September
Teams| 6
Venue(s)| 1
Final positions
Champions|  Sesi Franca (1st title)
Runners-up|  Telekom Baskets Bonn
Third place|  Zhejiang Golden Bulls
Fourth place|  Al Ahly
Tournament statistics
MVP| David Jackson
(Franca)
Top scorer| Lucas Dias
(Franca, 18.0 points per game)
Official website
Official website

<- 2023 (Tenerife)

2024 ->

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.

Franca won its first title after beating Telekom Baskets Bonn in the final. Franca's Lucas Dias scored a fadeaway jumper in the post to beat the buzzer which gave them the win; David Jackson was named MVP.[2]

## Teams

[edit]

Ignite

Zhejiang

Al Ahly

Franca

Bonn

Manama

class=notpageimage|

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]

On 19 June 2023, FIBA announced the Zhejiang Golden Bulls to be the CBA representative, and also announced they invited Al Manama as the sixth and final team, following Manama's win of the 2022–23 West Asia Super League.[3]

Team  | Qualification  | Qualified date  | Participations

(bold indicates winners)

| Ref.

|
|
|
|

NBA G League Ignite | Pre-selected as representative of the NBA G League[a] | 3 March 2023  | Debut  | [1]
Zhejiang Golden Bulls | Pre-selected as representative of the CBA[b] | 19 June 2023  | Debut  | [3]
Al Ahly | Winners of the 2023 BAL season | 27 May 2023  | Debut  | [4]
Sesi Franca | Winners of the 2022–23 BCL Americas | 15 April 2023  | 5 (1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981)  | [5]
Telekom Baskets Bonn | Winners of the 2022–23 Basketball Champions League | 14 May 2023  | Debut  | [6]
Al Manama | Winners of the 2022–23 West Asia Super League | 19 June 2023[c] | Debut  | [3]

## Rosters

[edit]

Main article: 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup (Singapore) squads

## Venue

[edit]

The Singapore Indoor Stadium

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.

## Draw

[edit]

The draw was held on 20 June 2023 at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, and was attended by Vlade Divac, Yi Jianlian and Ian Mahinmi.[3]

## Group phase

[edit]

All times in Singapore Standard Time local time (GMT+8).

### Group A

[edit]

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]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Sesi Franca | 2  | 2  | 0  | 188  | 159  | +29  | 4  | Advance to final
2  |  Al Ahly | 2  | 1  | 1  | 152  | 166  | −14  | 3  | Qualification to third place game
3  |  NBA G League Ignite | 2  | 0  | 2  | 165  | 180  | −15  | 2  | Qualification to fifth place game

Source: FIBA

21 September 2023
19:00

Boxscore

NBA G League Ignite | 76-82 |  Al Ahly

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 21–20, 22–25, 16–17, 17–20
Pts: Smith 18
Rebs: Almansa 8
Asts: Johnson 6 |  | Pts: Amin 15
Rebs: Kejo 13
Asts: Cole 9

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Yohan Rosso (FRA), Scott Beker (AUS), Viola Györgyi (ROU)

22 September 2023
15:00

Boxscore

Sesi Franca | 90-70 |  Al Ahly

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 26–17, 16–15, 26–15, 22–23
Pts: Dias, Jackson 22
Rebs: Márcio 9
Asts: Georginho 9 |  | Pts: Cole 17
Rebs: Amin 9
Asts: Amin 5

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Omar Bermúdez (MEX), Amy Bonner (USA), Péter Praksch (HUN)

23 September 2023
15:00

Boxscore

NBA G League Ignite | 89-98 |  Sesi Franca

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 23–25, 27–29, 23–22, 16–22
Pts: Jenkins 15
Rebs: Almansa 12
Asts: Jenkins 6 |  | Pts: Georginho, Luz 19
Rebs: Ferreira 9
Asts: Borges, Jackson 5

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Antonio Conde (ESP), Yevgeniy Mikheyev (KAZ), Péter Praksch (HUN)

### Group B

[edit]

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]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Telekom Baskets Bonn | 2  | 2  | 0  | 216  | 100  | +116  | 4  | Advance to final
2  |  Zhejiang Golden Bulls | 2  | 1  | 1  | 145  | 189  | −44  | 3  | Qualification to third place game
3  |  Al Manama | 2  | 0  | 2  | 128  | 200  | −72  | 2  | Qualification to fifth place game

Source: FIBA

21 September 2023
15:00

Boxscore

Telekom Baskets Bonn | 105-50 |  Al Manama

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 26–16, 24–6, 34–11, 21–17
Pts: Griesel 28
Rebs: Griesel 10
Asts: Frey 6 |  | Pts: Pointer 14
Rebs: Thibodeaux 5
Asts: Thibodeaux 6

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Antonio Conde (ESP), Amy Bonner (USA), Wael Mostafa (EGY)

22 September 2023
19:00

Box score

Zhejiang Golden Bulls | 95-78 |  Al Manama

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 23–15, 23–22, 32–21, 17–20
Pts: Perry 17
Rebs: Perry 6
Asts: Yibo 6 |  | Pts: Pointer 19
Rebs: Williams 10
Asts: Haji, Pointer 4

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Yohan Rosso (FRA), Scott Beker (AUS), Yevgeniy Mikheyev (KAZ)

23 September 2023
19:00

Box score

Zhejiang Golden Bulls | 50-111 |  Telekom Baskets Bonn

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 16–30, 11–33, 14–23, 9–25
Pts: Perry 10
Rebs: Perry 9
Asts: three players 2 |  | Pts: Griesel 16
Rebs: Turudic 9
Asts: Frey 9

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Yohan Rosso (FRA), Omar Bermúdez (MEX), Viola Györgyi (ROM)

## Final phase

[edit]

### Fifth place game

[edit]

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]

24 September 2023
12:00

Boxscore

NBA G League Ignite | 80-60 |  Al Manama

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 17–10, 19–20, 19–17, 25–13
Pts: Sané 22
Rebs: Holland, Sané 11
Asts: Almansa 6 |  | Pts: Pointer 20
Rebs: Pointer 13
Asts: Rashed 5

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Yohan Rosso (FRA), Viola Györgyi (ROU), Wael Mostafa (EGY)

### Third place game

[edit]

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]

24 September 2023
15:00

Boxscore

Al Ahly | 74-81 |  Zhejiang Golden Bulls

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 22–12, 16–25, 15–22, 21–22
Pts: Amin, Oraby 14
Rebs: Fakuade, Oraby 11
Asts: Amin 4 |  | Pts: Perry 23
Rebs: Perry 12
Asts: Gulley 7

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Referees: Omar Bermúdez (MEX), Yevgeniy Mikheyev (KAZ), Péter Praksch (HUN)

### Final

[edit]

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]

24 September 2023
19:00

Boxscore

Sesi Franca | 70-69 |  Telekom Baskets Bonn

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 18–13, 16–21, 24–16, 12–19
Pts: Márcio 15
Rebs: Márcio 8
Asts: Jackson 8 |  | Pts: Watson Jr. 16
Rebs: Griesel, Kirkwood 5
Asts: Watson Jr. 5

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Attendance: 8,000[12]
Referees: Antonio Conde (ESP), Amy Bonner (USA), Scott Beker (AUS)

## Final standings

[edit]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  Sesi Franca | 3  | 3  | 0  | 258  | 228  | +30  | 6
|  Telekom Baskets Bonn | 3  | 2  | 1  | 285  | 170  | +115  | 5
|  Zhejiang Golden Bulls | 3  | 2  | 1  | 226  | 263  | −37  | 5
4  |  Al Ahly | 3  | 1  | 2  | 226  | 247  | −21  | 4
5  |  NBA G League Ignite | 3  | 1  | 2  | 245  | 240  | +5  | 4
6  |  Al Manama | 3  | 0  | 3  | 188  | 280  | −92  | 3

Source: FIBA

## Statistical leaders

[edit]

The following players were the individual leaders in the 2023 tournament.[13]

Category  | Player  | Team(s)  | Statistic

|
|
|

Efficiency per game  | David Jackson | Franca | 23.0
Points per game  | Lucas Dias | Franca  | 18.0
Rebounds per game  | Omar Oraby | Al Ahly | 9.7
Assists per game  | Georginho | Franca  | 5.8
Steals per game  | Glynn Watson Jr. | Telekom Baskets Bonn | 2.7
Blocks per game  | Sir'Dominic Pointer | Al Manama | 2.7
Minutes per game  | Sir'Dominic Pointer | Al Manama  | 33.7

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ NBA G League Ignite finished 11th place in the Western Conference of the 2022–23 NBA G League regular season, and didn't advance to the playoffs.
2. ^ Zhejiang Golden Bulls finished 1st place in the 2022–23 CBA regular season, and runners-up in the playoffs.
3. ^ Manama Club won the 2022–23 West Asia Super League which qualifies for the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, but was confirmed by FIBA on 19 June.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Singapore to host FIBA Intercontinental Cup under three-year partnership as competition reaches Asia in historical first". FIBA.basketball. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
2. ^ a b c d "Incredible! Lucas Dias beats the buzzer for Franca to win the FIBA Intercontinental Cup". FIBA.basketball. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
3. ^ a b c d "Vlade Divac, Yi Jianlian and Ian Mahinmi headline 33rd FIBA Intercontinental Cup Draw in Singapore". FIBA.basketball. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
4. ^ "Al Ahly are the 2023 BAL champions". The BAL. 27 May 2023. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
5. ^ "Sesi Franca crowned 2023 BCLA champions". FIBA.basketball. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
6. ^ "Telekom Baskets Bonn celebrate their first Basketball Champions League title". FIBA.basketball. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
7. ^ a b "Day 1 recap: Al Ahly stun NBA G League Ignite; smooth sailing for Bonn". FIBA.basketball. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
8. ^ a b "Day 2 recap: Sesi Franca dominate; Golden Bulls off to winning start". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
9. ^ a b "Day 3 recap: Franca outlast Ignite, set up Final against Bonn". FIBA.basketball. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
10. ^ "Holland, Sane shine, NBA G League Ignite sign off with a win". FIBA.basketball. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
11. ^ "Zhejiang Golden Bulls edge out Al Ahly to reach podium on first try". FIBA.basketball. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
12. ^ Teoh, Melvyn (24 September 2023). "Sesi Franca score at the death to win Fiba Intercontinental Cup". The Straits Times. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
13. ^ "Players statistics of the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup Singapore 2023". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 24 September 2023.

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