The FIBA Asia Cup 2022 will be followed by the Fourth Window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers in a very short period of time. Teams have only about a month to recoup and get ready, so whatever they experienced and learnt during the Jakarta tournament will be very valuable. 

This also applies to the supporters, who should rejoice that Asia basketball will return in such short order. Here are some highlights from the Asia Cup that we can expect to continue to be developed in the future.

Arakji rises as clutch master

When you step back and consider the big picture, Wael Arakji’s ascent to superstardom is not unexpected. He made one of the best Asia Cup debuts in tournament history back in 2015, and he has since only gotten better, particularly after being put into a leadership position for the Cedars.

When you step back and consider the big picture, Wael Arakji’s ascent to superstardom is not unexpected. He made one of the best Asia Cup debuts in tournament history back in 2015, and he has since only gotten better, particularly after being put into a leadership position for the Cedars.

Even so, it was thrilling to see that increase occurred in Jakarta right before our eyes. Most Asia Cup fans likely had no problem with him being voted the TISSOT MVP when all was said and done because they saw him step up as the indisputable captain of Lebanon, especially in fourth quarters with his clutch shot- and play-making skills.

New Zealand Tall Blacks have the fire of youth

Given their youth, there was some uncertainty regarding New Zealand’s chances of reaching another Asia Cup Semi-Final. It turns out that the young guns were more than capable of competing on par with the veterans and even rapidly improving throughout the race to place first.

The Boomers are a formidable foe

Australia was able to repeat as Asia Cup champions, and they are still unbeaten in the league, as many had predicted. The Boomers have consistently played outstanding team basketball in the Asia Cups, whether it was in 2017 or the most recent competition, but it seems like the other teams are catching up. 

And to some extent, the statistics back up this conclusion. Australia won every game it played in 2017, winning by an average of 28.8 points; no game was decided by fewer than 16 points. Australia’s winning margin decreased to 15.2 points on average in 2022, and two games—including the one-point triumph over Lebanon—were decided by single digits.

The Jordan Falcons make their mark 

In the early phases of the Asia Cup 2022, it was simple to mistrust Jordan. Coming out of Window 3 of the Asian Qualifiers, they weren’t exactly on their game, as they struggled in the Group Phase against both Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. 

It appeared for 35 minutes that they might lose the Asia Cup again during the match against Chinese Taipei. Jordan found themselves in the Final Phase as Freddy Ibrahim’s long three-point heave at the final buzzer set the stage.

They would eventually lose to Lebanon by just one point in a Semi-Finals matchup to remember, sending a clear message to all opponents in future competitions not to write them off until the final buzzer.

There is more to Japan than just its NBA pop stars

We are all familiar with Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura, two NBA players that excel when playing for their country. However, it wasn’t certain how effective Japan could be in a situation like the Asia Cup given the inflow of young players and the need to become used to a new system.

Without their biggest star, Japan never faltered, whether it was Keisei Tominaga, Yuki Kawamura, Hitotaka Yoshii, or Soichiro Inoue.

Hamed is fresh as a young bull

Hamed Haddadi dismissed any claims that the Asia Cup 2022 will be his final appearance or that he wouldn’t return again. However, if his performance at the most recent Asia Cup is any indication, the Asia Cup legend still has plenty of gas in his tank. 

Haddadi led Iran in points scored (15.8), efficiency (26.0 points per game), rebounds (14.3 points per game), assists (4.0 points per game), and blocks (2.0 points per game). The Asian superstar put on a strong display, even though he would have appreciated a longer run in the Asia Cup.

Haddadi is probably not looking too far ahead at the Asia Cup 2025 just yet (which would be his ninth Asia Cup). He may still be Iran’s driving force as they compete in the Asian Qualifiers’ Second Round, which, if everything goes according to plan for Iran, could be a fourth consecutive World Cup for Haddadi.

Gilas Pilipinas has got great heart

While failing to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup for the first time since 2007 is obviously not ideal, there are some encouraging signs to note. The kids that stepped up to participate in their maiden Asia Cup and did well, whether it was Carl Tamayo or Kevin Quiambao who displayed their scoring and passing ability, are the most obvious good notes.

Fans of basketball in the Philippines undoubtedly want their teams to perform better in these important tournaments, but at least they were able to see potential crucial components in a more promising future for the national team program.