25 August, 2023
10 September

Global Ambassadors

The FIBA Basketball World Cup is the toughest trophy to win in international basketball. It is a huge honor to welcome three basketball legends, Luis Scola, Pau Gasol, and Carmelo Anthony, as Global Ambassadors for FIBA’s flagship event. These three icons know what it takes to win as they've long represented their powerhouse nations at this stage. And they will all be here in September to watch a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Luis Scola

  • Luis 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 history of the men's competition 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. He was still playing for his National Team in 2019 when Argentina lost the World Cup Final against Spain.

    Luis Scola has won an amazing total of 13 medals in major FIBA competitions. He won the AmeriCup twice and also won gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. He reached the final game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup twice in 2002 and 2019 and was the top scorer of the 2010 edition. Overall he retired at second place on the World Cup All-Time scoring list and has won the AmeriCup MVP trophy four times.

    World Cup participations

    2002 / 2006 / 2010 / 2014 / 2019

    Ambassador announcement

    Follow him on Social

    Instagram / @luisscola

    Facebook / Luis Scola

    Twitter / @LScola4

  • Pau Gasol played at three World Cups. His biggest moment with Spain came when he spearheaded his country's run to glory at the 2006 World Cup in Japan. He was so prolific that he was named MVP of the event despite having to miss the Final due to an injury. In 2002 in Indianapolis, he made a huge splash at his first World Cup, leading Spain to fifth place. In his last World Cup appearance on home soil in 2014, he led Spain to six straight wins before the hosts were upset by France in the Quarter-Finals.

    Pau Gasol has one of the most impressive careers in international basketball, winning on all stages. He also lifted the trophy at EuroBasket three times, in 2009, 2011, and 2015, and was named EuroBasket MVP twice. He won four more medals in this competition, retiring as EuroBasket’s All-Time leading scorer. He played at five Olympics and helped Spain win silver medals in 2008 and 2012 before winning bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. He is also a back-to-back NBA champion in 2009 and 2010 and was a six-time NBA All-Star.

    World Cup participations

    2002 / 2006 / 2014

    Ambassador announcement

    Follow him on Social

    Instagram / @paugasol

    Facebook / Pau Gasol

    Twitter / @paugasol

  • A three-time Olympic gold medalist, a selection on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and currently ranked Top 10 on the NBA All-Time Scoring List, Carmelo has led a storied career. At the 2006 World Cup in Japan, Carmelo put on a dynamic, high-scoring display when he led Team USA to the podium with a third-place finish and claimed a spot in the All-Star Five. He averaged 19.9 points per game. In their only loss in the competition, a 101-95 Semi-Final defeat to Greece, Carmelo had a game-high 27 points.

    Carmelo Anthony is a true USA basketball icon. He has played 72 games for his National Team, scoring a total of 1,100 points. He played in four Olympics, winning three gold medals and one bronze. He also played in the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup and won the AmeriCup in 2007. He’s currently ranked 9th on the NBA All-Time Scoring List. NBA scoring champion in 2013, 10-time NBA All-Star, and winner of the NBA Social Justice Award in 2021 as well as NCAA champion and MOP of the NCAA Final Four in 2003, Melo’s list of career accomplishments is remarkable.

    World Cup participations

    2006

    Ambassador announcement

    Follow him on Social

    Instagram / @carmeloanthony

    Facebook / Carmelo Anthony

    Twitter / @carmeloanthony

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