Angola national team point guard, Jose Dimitri Maconda, spoke with Basketball Sphere about the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023.
Jose Dimitri Maconda started his senior career in Rotterdam, and then he spent some time in the Spanish second division playing for the Portuguese Sangalhos.
This will be the first World Cup for the 21-year-old player. Maconda is highly motivated and believes that his team can cause a surprise in Group A. These are the topics he talked with Basketball Sphere.
“They see us as outsiders”
“I think we have a chance to do something big if we play solid defense.” – he says and adds that the Angola likes the epithet of outsiders.
“The other national teams that are ranked better see us as outsiders, but I think we can take advantage of that.”
The old saying goes that defense wins titles, and during their 12 games in the Mundobasket qualifiers, Angola limited opponents to only 60.5 points per game. It is also the lowest allowed points average in the African qualifiers.
“Our greatest strength”
“Black Antelopes” pay special attention to the defense against 3-point shots, which is evidenced by the fact that they are the only team in the world that did not concede more than ten 3-pointers in all 12 games during the qualifiers.
Another reason that took Angola to the FIBA World Cup 2023 was the way they protected the paint. The former African champions grabbed 63 rebounds against Uganda on February 24, the most in any 2023 World Cup qualifiers. Angola also grabbed 34 offensive rebounds in that game, the most for a team in the history of the qualifiers.
“It is this intensity, as well as the mentioned defense, that are our greatest strength.” – Maconda points out.
Jordan Clarkson
Like the bookmakers, Maconda sees the United States, France and Spain as the biggest favorites for medals.
Group A will be full of NBA talent at the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023 . Karl-Anthony Towns has confirmed that he will play for the Dominican Republic, while Jordan Clarkson will wear the jersey of the Philippines. Of course, there is also last season’s rookie in the Utah Jazz jersey, Simone Fontecchio, as Italy leader.
Considering Maconda’s position, the young point guard has no doubts about which matchup he is most looking forward to.
“I’m excited to play against Jordan Clarkson. I think it will be a great experience to compete with a player like him.”
We are witnessing that basketball globalization grows year by year, and that there are no more “easy opponents”. Teams from the south of Africa have more and more national team players who leave an indelible mark in Europe, but also in the NBA.
“In my opinion, the quality of African basketball is definitely growing. We have so many talented players around the world… I think that in a few years no one will consider us outsiders and we will get much more respect.” – concluded Jose Dimitri Maconda in an interview with Basketball Sphere.