Jazz PF Kelly Olynyk Graded as Top 15 Performer in FIBA World Cup

One of this FIBA World Cup’s most talented and best-performing teams up to this point has been Team USA’s neighbors up north in Canada. Collecting a bright core consisting of NBA players like G R.J. Barrett and All-Star G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has vaulted this team to an electric 3-0 start in the tournament.

Besides the budding Oklahoma City Thunder superstar’s production, the other most prominent figure on this Canadian roster up to this point has been none other than Utah Jazz F/C Kelly Olynyk.

After starting all 68 games in Utah last season, the decade-long NBA vet has been established as a central piece in Canada’s frontcourt. Playing a key role in victories against France, Lebanon, and Latvia has cemented Olynyk as a premier player in this year’s World Cup.

As a part of HoopsHype’s global rating to evaluate player performance throughout FIBA play, Kelly Olynyk is currently slotted in at 14th in the entire tourney pool with a score of 24.63. Other familiar NBA names on the list include Dallas Mavericks G Luka Doncic, Chicago Bulls C Nikola Vucevic, and Toronto Raptors G Dennis Schroder.

The 30 best players in the World Cup according to @hoopshype global rating:

1. Luka Doncic: 50.0
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 37.08
3. Nikola Jovic: 30.75 pic.twitter.com/DkrDFnj4wg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 30, 2023

Across the last three games, Olynyk has averaged 15 points, six rebounds, and just under four assists. Ranked at 14th per global rating, it puts him 8th among NBA players competing in the tournament.

Canada’s next game will be against Brazil on Friday, September 1st. Olynyk yearns for another standout showing to further elevate him among this collection of the world’s best.

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