DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Andersson Mejía / FIBA

Outside of the Olympic Games, the FIBA World Cup is the most important tournament in basketball.

The Dominican Republic won both of its qualifier games (versus USA and Nicaragua) in the Window 2 of the Americas Qualifier for the FIBA World Cup. The DR wins ensured the team moves to the second phase.

The DR shocked the basketball world. On 27 of February 2026, coinciding with Independence Day in the Dominican Republic, the senior basketball team left USA basketball feeling a tornado had passed over them. The DR won all four quarters of the game against the United States, the game that should have been an easy win for Team USA.

The game was played at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, home to the NBA G League San Diego Clippers. The game against Nicaragua was played on 1 March in Managua.

What is most impressive about the memorable Friday, 27 February...