Basketball: Argentina seeks to end dry spell in China

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - The 1950 FIBA Basketball world champion and 2002 runner-up Argentina wants to end its World Cup title drought in China as the 2019 Basketball World Cup is set to begin on Aug. 31.

Argentina has 13 World Cup appearances so far, the South American basketball heavyweight did its best in the 1950 FIBA World Championship, winning gold medal in this tournament.

Nicknamed "El Alma Argentina" (The Argentine Soul), the team earned silver medal in the 2002 FIBA World Championship hosted by the U.S.

Argentina will take on Russia, South Korea and Nigeria in the 2019 World Cup Group B.

Argentina may lack its former star Manu Ginobili in China as the San Antonio Spurs veteran shooting guard has retired from basketball in the 2018 summer.

Four-time NBA Champion, Ginobili ended his 16-year career with San Antonio Spurs.

Separately Argentina won the 2004 Summer Olympics held in the Greek capital Athens.

Real Madrid point guard Facundo Campazzo will be the Argentinian threat in China.

Luis Scola, 39, is still playing for Argentina despite his old age. The former NBA player is expected to contribute to his country in the 2019 World Cup with his experience.

The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in China between Aug. 31-Sept.15.

In addition to Argentina, there's another basketball giant in Group B, Russia.

Russians are seeking their old glorious days in basketball as they won silver medals in 1994 and 1998 FIBA World Championship.

Russia last qualified for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, finishing this tournament in the seventh spot.

Russia, who will face Argentina, South Korea and Nigeria in Group B, will be led by 33-year-old shooting guard Vitaly Fridzon.

The other Group B competitor is South Korea. The Asian team will fight against two basketball heavyweights, Russia and Argentina.

South Korea, who came 32nd in world standings, previously played in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

They finished the Spain 2014 in the 23rd place however Koreans had their best World Cup performance in Yugoslavia 1970, finishing this tournament in the 11th spot.

Nigeria will be in a World Cup after a long break as the African team last played in the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Nigerians came 14th in Japan 2006.

Similar to South Korea, Nigeria is the Group B underdog but has three NBA players.

Al-Farouq Aminu (Portland Trail Blazers), Chimezie Metu (San Antonio Spurs) and Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves) will help the African team in China.

- The Group B fixtures:

Aug. 31:

Russia - Nigeria

Argentina - South Korea

Sept. 2:

Nigeria - Argentina

South Korea - Russia

Sept. 4:

South Korea - Nigeria

Russia - Argentina