Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2023 FIBA World Cup

Luis Scola named FIBA World Cup 23 global ambassador


Argentinian legend Luis Scola has been named a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Global Ambassador, with the event tipping off on August 25 in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

Scola, the World Cup’s second all-time top scorer with 716 points, is one of the true legends of the competition. He appeared in five editions, and his mark of 41 games played is tied for first in the men’s competition’s history with Brazilian great Ubiratan Pereira Maciel.

Scola was there when Argentina came within a whisker of winning the title at the 2002 World Cup in Indianapolis but fell in overtime.

At the 2006 World Cup in Japan, Scola’s role had grown more important. He shot 55.3 percent from the field and averaged 14.3 points and seven rebounds as Argentina made it to the Semi-Final before suffering a 75-74 heartbreak to Spain.

The 2010 World Cup in Turkey saw Scola turn in some of his finest performances. His 27.1 points per game scoring average were the highest in the tournament. One of his efforts was unforgettable, and it came in the Round of 16 against Brazil. Scola poured in 37 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Argentina prevailed in a 93-89 thriller.

To the very end, Scola was a leading light for Argentina. At 40, he dominated the 2019 event in China, with his 28-point, 13-rebound performance in an 80-66 Semi-Final triumph over France helping clinch a spot in the World Cup title game for the second time in his career. Scola was named to the TISSOT All-Star Five.

#ReadMore  San Beda extends mastery over EAC to 10 years

Scola didn’t just shine at World Cups but also in five Olympic tournaments.

2021-Tokyo-Olympics-Argentina-Luis-Scola Luis Scola named FIBA World Cup 23 global ambassador 2023 FIBA World Cup Basketball News  - philippine sports news

(C) FIBA.basketball

In 2004, Scola played an integral role as his country won the Olympic gold medal in Athens. He captured a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games and was a Semi-Finalist at the 2012 Olympics in London. At the next Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016, Scola served as Argentina’s flagbearer during the Opening Ceremony. He became a five-time Olympian at the Tokyo Games, which were played in 2021.

Scola also played in numerous FIBA AmeriCups, reaching the podium nine times. In 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2015, Scola was MVP at the event.

“I’m truly honored to be a World Cup Global Ambassador and to take on this new role,” Scola said. “I always wanted to represent Argentina, to sing the national anthem before games and to play alongside so many amazing players, and for great coaches. We always set out to win tournaments, but the most important thing was to give our best, to be good role models, and to play for our country.

“Being part of our Golden Generation with so many amazing players has also been a very special experience. Playing every summer was also a priority because it helped me maintain my fitness for the following season. We had amazing victories. While there were some disappointing results, we won a lot more than we lost and learned many life lessons along the way,” the former NBA champion continued.

“Maybe the biggest was that with perseverance, togetherness, and a shared vision, a team can achieve more than is expected. If all players, all teams, take that approach next year, this is going to be another unforgettable World Cup across the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.”

Written By


You May Also Like

2023 FIBA World Cup

The year 2023 will always be remembered in Philippine sports as the year the country competed in two separate world cups – the 2023...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has won a bronze award in the prestigious 2023 CLIO Sports Awards for transforming the iconic SM...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Hundreds of students from Tondo, Manila, who served as mascots or player escorts during the FIBA World Cup, were honored during a ceremony that...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Gilas Pilipinas Men have risen to 38th in the world rankings, just two spots higher despite their participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup...

2023 FIBA World Cup

After more than two weeks of nonstop basketball action, the FIBA World Cup 2023 held in Manila came to a close on September 10....

2023 FIBA World Cup

The final buzzer of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 rang with a much deeper meaning for Filipinos who witnessed the best players from...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Dennis Schroder hopes that Germany has earned the respect it deserves at home following a historic breakthrough in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023....

2023 FIBA World Cup

Serbia’s pursuit of the Naismith Trophy has turned into quite an odyssey, following another runner-up finish in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The perennial...

Advertisement