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Hawks starring in 2023 FIBA World Cup bodes well for season

ByMatthew Slone|
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 26: Bogdan Bogdanovic #7 (C) of Serbia warms up in the halftime break during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group B game against China at Araneta Coliseum on August 26, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 26: Bogdan Bogdanovic #7 (C) of Serbia warms up in the halftime break during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Group B game against China at Araneta Coliseum on August 26, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Atlanta Hawks are one of twenty-seven NBA teams that have players participating in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Hawks have three players playing: Bogdan Bogdanovic for Serbia, Bruno Fernando for Angola, and Patty Mills for Australia. All three Hawks players played a major role in their respective countries.

Patty Mills finished the 2023 FIBA World Cup averaging 18.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Each stat ranked second highest on Australia during the World Cup. Mills also led Australia in efficiency rate per game at 19.8 per game. Australia finished the 2023 FIBA World Cup in 10th place. Mills and Australia will also be playing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Patty Mills will look to fill a role on the Hawks they needed last season as a backup point guard and veteran mentor for rookie Kobe Bufkin. Last season, the Hawks depended on Trae Young and Dejounte Murray to stay on the court. But with the acquisition of Mills and Bufkin, the Hawks look to now be able to give them a break without any drop-off.

Bruno Fernando finished the 2023 FIBA World Cup averaging 14 points (tied for team high), 5.3 rebounds, and a team-high 14.3 efficiency rate per game. Angola finished in 26th place in the FIBA World Cup, with a chance to play in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament to get in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Fernando returned to the Hawks last season and came off the bench averaging just 5.1 minutes, 3.4 points, and 1.9 rebounds per game in 8 games with the Hawks. With the departure of John Collins, and trade rumors circulating multiple players, Fernando could be in line for some added minutes. Coming off a strong FIBA World Cup, Fernando looks ready for those added minutes.

Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic primed for Sixth Man of the Year consideration

Last but not least, Bogdan Bogdanovic finished the 2023 FIBA World Cup averaging a team high in points and efficiency with 19.1 points, 21.6 efficiency rate, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Bogdanovic led Serbia to the World Cup Finals where they would face Germany. Serbia would go on and lose to Germany 83-77, earning Serbia a silver medal.

Bogdanovic and Serbia will play in the 2024 Paris Olympics and look to make another run to the finals. He was named on the 2023 FIBA World Cup All-Star 5 team

He is coming off a strong season, where he averaged 14 points per game and shooting 44.7% field goal, 40.6% three-point, and 83.1% free throw.

Bogdanovic is looking to continue this hot streak and confidence going into the 2023-2024 season, as he has a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year this season. Especially if his play during the FIBA World Cup is any indication.

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