AFTER an impressive debut campaign, 20-year-old Josh Giddey earned the Wanda Rising Star Award at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
The Australia point guard is now the first recipient of the newly minted accolade by FIBA’s Global Partner, Wanda Group.
Throughout the competition, Giddey averaged 19.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Boomers. In the history of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, there have only been six players – Drazen Petrovic, Wilfredo Ruiz, Kevin Durant, Yao Ming, John Lucas, and Leo Rautins – to average more points than Josh Giddey before turning 22 years old.
He led his team in points and assists per game and was arguably the best Boomer in the World Cup.
Despite being one of the youngest players in the event, the 2.03M (6’8”) point guard was quick to make his presence known with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists against Finland in the opening game. With the performance, he became the second player in the 21st century since LeBron James to combine for more than 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in their first-ever World Cup game.
Giddey had his best game of the competition in the win against Japan. He posted 26 points, shot 10 from 18 and added 11 assists and 5 rebounds and was selected TCL Player of the Game.
There were many young rising stars in contention for the award like Nikola Jovic, Paolo Banchero, Usman Garuba, Juan Nunez and Jean Montero but it was Giddey who proved himself the brightest of the best prospects at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
The selection criteria for the Wanda Rising Star Award was that candidates must be 21 years old or younger (born 2002 or after) and play a minimum of 4 games in the competition. Candidates were selected based on individual performances and the wider impact on their respective teams.
