Equalling LeBron James’ Long Standing FIBA Record, World Cup’s Rising Star Josh Giddey Is Set to Make His Mark in the NBA

Team Australia have played some gritty basketball in the 2023 FIBA World Cup so far. After suffering two gutting losses, The Boomers clawed their way into Round 2 of the tournament with a shot at glory still intact. However, the team’s success has highly relied on their 20-year-old superstar, Josh Giddey. The young gun has not just elevated his team’s performance but has also equaled some long-standing records.

Josh Giddey equaled a 17-year record held by The King, LeBron James in his very first outing in the FIBA World Cup. Since this performance, it is safe to say that Josh Giddey has balled out in the tournament. From dynamic passing to elite shot-making, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard has done it all. However, can he translate this remarkable output to his performance in the NBA?

How did Josh Giddey equal LeBron James’ 17-year record?

Josh Giddey set the international stage ablaze in his very first outing by joining LeBron James as the only player to record 10+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in his FIBA World Cup debut. The Thunder guard achieved this historic feat against the Utah Jazz forward, Lauri Markkanen and Team Finland.

Team Australia took on Team Finland in their first matchup of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This is when Giddey went off on this historic performance. He put up incredible numbers of 14 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, falling marginally short of a triple-double on debut. This equalled the Los Angeles Lakers forward, LeBron James’ record that he set 17 years ago in the 2006 FIBA World Cup.

The Chosen One joined his national side just two years into his NBA career in 2006, much like Giddey this year. In Team USA’s preliminary round matchup against Team Puerto Rico, James registered a stunning debut. He put up 15 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds, setting the 17-year record that Giddey equalled. However, since Giddey joined James in this elite list, the Australian guard has not looked back.

The 20-year-old has displayed phenomenal prowess in the FIBA World Cup so far. After his historic debut, he has put up similar or in fact, better numbers in each game. In 4 games played so far, Giddey averages a whopping 20.5 PPG along with 5.8 RPG and 6.5 APG. He also put up a career-high 26 points against Team Japan in Team Australia’s win.

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Giddey has balled out in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, also leading Team Australia to tremendous success. However, can the Thunder guard emulate this performance in the NBA?

Giddey is set for a major leap in year three

Josh Giddey’s skills have tremendously helped Team Australia’s chances in the tournament. However, his NBA stint may make more noise than his international performance in the upcoming season.

With Giddey’s versatility, there is no ceiling for his NBA career. The 20-year-old has made unprecedented noise in the World Cup and is only set to elevate his game when the NBA season comes around. His phenomenal two-way skills have already earned him a Second Team All-Rookie selection in 2022. His performance progressed in the following season as he improved his numbers in almost every major statistical category. Now, he is set to make a major leap due in part, to his teammate Chet Holmgren’s comeback.

Holmgren comes into the Thunder roster as Giddey’s first true lob and pick-and-roll threat. The 7’2 center can add a lot of dimensions to Giddey’s game, given the 20-year-old’s dynamic passing ability. The FIBA World Cup also witnessed Giddey take a leap in his shot-making, only adding to his NBA potential.

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Josh Giddey is undoubtedly a superstar in the making. If his historic feat is not proof enough of this, his FIBA World Cup run so far has announced his stardom loud and clear.