Mario Hezonja (L) of Croatia dribbles past Kostja Mushidi of Germany during the first round group E match between Croatia and Germany at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 27, 2026. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

Michael Ruzic (L) of Croatia dunks during the first round group E match between Croatia and Germany at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 27, 2026. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

Jaleen Smith (R) of Croatia attempts a layup during the first round group E match between Croatia and Germany at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 27, 2026. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

Roko Badzim (2nd L) of Croatia drives to the basket during the first round group E match between Croatia and Germany at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 27, 2026. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

Mario Hezonja (C) of Croatia breaks through during the first round group E match between Croatia and Germany at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 27, 2026. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

Johannes Thiemann (C) of Germany drives to the basket against Michael Ruzic (2nd R) of Croatia during the first round group E match between Croatia and Germany at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 27, 2026. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

Johannes Thiemann (top) of Germany dunks during the first round group E match between Croatia and Germany at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 27, 2026. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

Klemen Prepelic (R) of Slovenia breaks through against Martin Svoboda of the Czech Republic during the first round group H match between Slovenia and the Czech Republic at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Koper, Slovenia, Feb 27, 2026. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Patrick Samoura (L) of the Czech Republic goes for a layup during the first round group H match between Slovenia and the Czech Republic at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Koper, Slovenia, Feb 27, 2026. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Zak Smrekar (R) of Slovenia dunks during the first round group H match between Slovenia and the Czech Republic at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Koper, Slovenia, Feb 27, 2026. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Klemen Prepelic (C) of Slovenia breaks through against Martin Svoboda (L) and Martin Peterka of the Czech Republic during the first round group H match between Slovenia and the Czech Republic at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Koper, Slovenia, Feb 27, 2026. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Tomas Kyzlink (C) of the Czech Republic breaks through during the first round group H match between Slovenia and the Czech Republic at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers in Koper, Slovenia, Feb 27, 2026. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)