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Who are the favorites to win AmeriCup 2025? A look at the top three contenders

Matias Traversa

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Who are the favorites to win AmeriCup 2025? A look at the top three contenders image

There's excitement about all the individual talent that has come together for the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup. But the track record and current form of some of their star players puts three teams on the list of contenders for gold.

Here are the favorites to win the title in Nicaragua. The 20th edition of the AmeriCup is coming up, and the competition promises to be thrilling.

WATCH: FIBA AmeriCup live on Courtside 1891 via DAZN

Favorites to win the 2025 AmeriCup

Argentina

The reigning champion puts its title won in Recife three years ago on the line with a revamped squad. Argentina is part of the select group that has been in all 20 editions of the continental tournament. The Albiceleste team has won three gold medals (2001, 2011 and 2022) and is the team with the most medals, with a total of 14 (6 silver and 5 bronze).

In the absence of several key players from three years ago, Nico Brussino's experience will be key for the young Argentine squad, which, despite its young age, has several players with extensive experience. Jose Vildoza and Juan Ignacio Marcos bring leadership and guidance to Pablo Prigioni's team. Both point guards are coming off great seasons: Pepe will play in the ACB League in Girona and was champion and MVP of the National League with Boca in Argentina, while Juani returns to Barcelona after being one of the best point guards in Spain.

Gonzalo Corbalan's power and energy in open play and his lethal one-on-one skill is another added value for Argentina. Juan Fernandez is a center who makes a great contribution to his team. In the qualifiers for the AmeriCup, he averaged 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in six games, while in Girona he averaged 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds (68 percent on two-point shots).

After a long training camp in Spain and Italy, Prigioni analyzed his team's current situation: “We are happy with how the guys have worked, although we know that we still have to take the final steps to get into the best possible shape. We want to reach our peak performance at the AmeriCup.”

United States

Team USA arrives in Nicaragua for its 18th appearance in the continental tournament, having won the gold medal more times than any other team. It is also the reigning Olympic champion and No. 1 in the FIBA World Ranking.

It had the best record in the Group D qualifiers with five wins and one loss. Its play was anchored by two standout players: Javonte Smart played four games with 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Jahmi'us Ramsey, meanwhile, played in all six games and averaged 15.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

For the 2025 AmeriCup, coach Stephen Silas added experience and talent to the squad with the arrival of Jerian Grant, who will make his official debut with the national team. He also has the guaranteed presence of Tyler Cavanaugh, Langston Galloway and Cam Reynolds, who have represented the USA in previous World Cup qualifying windows.

Galloway played in all six windows and 12 games of the 2021-23 qualifying cycle. Reynolds was part of the 2021 U.S. men's national team that trained with the Tokyo Olympics squad.

Dominican Republic

Individual talent, outstanding performances from its star players, experience at the core of the squad that secured qualification for Nicaragua, and a coach with extensive knowledge of the continental scene give the Dominican Republic hope of winning its first AmeriCup. This will be its 15th appearance and seventh in a row, with a bronze medal in Mar del Plata in 2011.

Nestor Rafael Garcia adds value to a team brimming with talent. The Argentine coach knows the dynamics of the continent like few others and knows how to win medals in this type of tournament. His team is supported from the perimeter by the outstanding performances of Andres Feliz and Jean Montero. Feliz is coming off an ACB championship with Real Madrid (7.3 points in the Spanish league). In the AmeriCup qualifiers, he averaged 15.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in three games. Montero averaged 15.9 points and 4.4 assists in Valencia. He contributed 14.7 points in three appearances in the qualifiers.

Captain Victor Liz's experience and Eloy Vargas' track record are key pillars of the Dominican team. They add weight in the paint with excellent inside play from Angel Delgado and Joel Soriano. And they managed to secure David Jones Garcia, who excelled in the Las Vegas Summer League (21.6 points, 53 percent on 3-pointers and 6.2 rebounds) and signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Matias Traversa

Matías Traversa es redactor freelance de The Sporting News.