In the Hunt
Uruguay
FIBA Ranking: 26
NBA Players on Roster: None
Outlook: The Uruguayans have finished between 6th and 9th in each of the last 10 FIBA Americas Tournaments. If nothing else, they’re consistent!
There’s reason to have hope this time around with three good games against Brazil and Argentina recently. Uruguay split two games with Argentina and lost in overtime to Brazil, but played well enough to win each matchup.
The team will be without the country’s best player, Esteban Batista (also the first Uruguayan to ever play in the NBA), due to team commitments in China. Keep an eye on Bruno Fitipaldo. The 24-year-old point guard went OFF in the two games vs. Argentina, draining TWELVE three-pointers and consistently drawing fouls.
The squad is younger than previous versions, but look where that led them. Chalk them up as dark horses for a top 5-finish.
Next: Mexico