JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – With tip-off for FIBA Asia Cup 2025 just around the corner, recent warm-up tournaments and roster announcements have given us fresh insights into who’s peaking, who’s faltering and where the balance of power lies heading into Jeddah.
Keep in mind, these rankings are independent of the official FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike. These updated Power Rankings reflect form over the past month, considering latest available preparation results, key player availability and which teams look best positioned to make noise in Jeddah.
1. Australia
Will Magnay
Previous: 1st
FIBA World Ranking: 7th
The Boomers remain at the top. Their 93-87 win against the University of Colorado is less about the scoreline and more about giving their deep roster competitive minutes. Olympics veterans Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh should anchor their depth. Australia’s balance, experience and size still make them the team to beat in Jeddah.
2. Japan
Keisei Tominaga
Previous: 2nd
FIBA World Ranking: 21st
Japan impressed at the Lusail Cup, beating both Qatar (103-92) and Saudi Arabia (85-78) with their trademark speed and ball movement. Their pace-and-space style is in solid form. Even without some big names, Akatsuki Japan’s system looks polished and dangerous. The depth of talent keeps Japan firmly in the top two.
3. New Zealand
Jordan Ngatai
Previous: 3rd
FIBA World Ranking: 22nd
The Tall Blacks had a strong showing in their recent warm-up games, highlighted by a 90-89 win over Brazil and a 89-82 triumph over Montenegro. They seem to be finding rhythm at the right time. Their toughness and improved shooting make them a serious semifinal threat.
4. China
Zhao Rui
Previous: 4th
FIBA World Ranking: 30th
China are knocking on the door of the top three after a string of solid wins in Europe, including victories over the Netherlands, Venezuela and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The balance of their inside game and perimeter shooting looks sharper now than in February. The emergence of Hu Jinqiu and steady play from their veteran guards has re-established China as a podium contender.
5. Lebanon
Youssef Khayat
Previous: 6th
FIBA World Ranking: 29th
Lebanon jump up a spot after dominating the Beirut International Cup with wins over Jordan (89-79) and Iran (105-89). Wael Arakji’s presence in their final roster announcement has turned heads, and it is a welcome development for Cedars fans. It seems like they are figuring things out, with Amir Saoud and Youssef Khayat looking really sharp.
6. Philippines
Carl Tamayo
Previous: 8th
FIBA World Ranking: 34th
Momentum is building for Gilas Pilipinas after back-to-back wins against the Macau Black Bears (103-98) and Jordan (75-61). Their athleticism and ball movement looked crisp, and the recent warm-up win over the Falcons hints that they might be rounding into shape just in time. Even without Kai Sotto, their athleticism still make them a dangerous side.
7. Iran
Mohammad Amini
Previous: 5th
FIBA World Ranking: 28th
Iran slide slightly after a mixed Beirut International Cup showing – losing to Egypt and Lebanon but salvaging a win over Jordan. Mohammad Amini continues to develop, but the team need to find another gear to keep up with the new top tier. They will need their veterans to reset quickly if they want to seriously contend in Jeddah.
8. Jordan
Ahmad Al-Hamarsheh
Previous: 7th
FIBA World Ranking: 35th
Jordan have been struggling in warm-up action, losing to Lebanon, Egypt, Iran and the Philippines. The Falcons will also be without Ahmad Al Dwairi and Amin Abu Hawwas, who were important players for them in the previous FIBA Asia Cup. Jordan need to fire on all cylinders to regain confidence when group play starts.
9. Qatar
Abdulrahman Saad
Previous: 10th
FIBA World Ranking: 87th
Qatar climb after a solid Lusail Cup, highlighted by a win over Saudi Arabia (82-78) and Iraq (77-73). The fact that they pushed Japan for stretches shows that this group can be a tricky opponent in Jeddah. Qatar look like legitimate group-phase spoilers.
10. Korea
Jongkyu Kim
Previous: 9th
FIBA World Ranking: 53rd
Little new evidence has come out of Korea’s camp, but their experience and pedigree still keep them in the middle of the pack. While their skill remains evident, other teams around them have shown better form recently. As things stand, their ceiling appears limited in a tough group.
11. Saudi Arabia
Khalid Abdel Gabar
Previous: 12th
FIBA World Ranking: 65th
The hosts had a mixed Lusail Cup – a confidence-boosting win over Iraq (91-76) but also losses to Qatar and Japan. Still, with home-court advantage and key pieces like Khalid Abdel Gabar, Mohammed Al-Suwailem and Fahad Belal, the Saudis remain dangerous wildcards.
12. Chinese Taipei
Ying-Chun Chen
Previous: 11th
FIBA World Ranking: 73rd
Chinese Taipei stay competitive but have not made recent noise to deepen confidence in their squad’s positioning, which is also affected by the absence of injured sharp-shooter Lu Chun-Hsiang. Of course, their last win over the Philippines in qualifiers remains a reminder of their upset potential. Their perimeter shooting and the presence of the Hinton brothers should still give them a chance to surprise.
13. Syria
2025 FIBA AC – Syria
Previous: 14th
FIBA World Ranking: 71st
Syria rise one spot despite mixed results at the Beirut International Cup. A win was elusive, but competitive play against Egypt (77-66) and Lebanon (79-69) suggests they are no easy out. With very physical interior presence, they could make life tough for opponents if their depth holds up.
14. India
Pranav Prince
Previous: 13th
FIBA World Ranking: 76th
India slide a bit as other teams around them have shown more in recent tune-ups. Consistency and turnovers remain their biggest hurdles heading into the group stage. That said, their qualifiers form – highlighted by Muin Bek Hafeez and Pranav Prince – suggests they have the tools to be competitive if they can maintain discipline.
15. Iraq
Ihab Al-Zuhairi
Previous: 15th
FIBA World Ranking: 92nd
Iraq struggled in Lusail Cup action, losing all their games, showing they have a lot of work to do. Their size still poses a challenge, but on current form, they look a step behind. Demario Mayfield, Ihab Al-Zuhairi and Ali Ismael have to really step up.
16. Guam
Ben Borja
Previous: 16th
FIBA World Ranking: 88th
With no recent publicised test games and facing a stacked field, Guam remain enthusiastic underdogs. Expect hustle and fight, but their path will be steep against Asia Cup giants. Needless to say, Guam will need high-level performances from stalwarts like Jericho Cruz and Ben Borja to be competitive.
The warm-up window has added layers of intrigue. Lebanon’s dominance, China’s sharp form and the Philippines’ resurgence have shaken up the middle tiers. Meanwhile, Jordan, Iran and Korea will need to course-correct quickly.
When the competition tips off on August 5 in Jeddah, expect more surprises as these power dynamics are tested on the biggest stage in Asian basketball. The table is set: Jeddah promises drama, breakthroughs, and potential shockers when the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 games commence.
DISCLAIMER: The Power Rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent an official or precise ranking system. All comments reflect the author’s opinions.
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