MIES (Switzerland) – The mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which is to be hosted across three nations, has been unveiled with fans having the opportunity to choose its name through an online competition.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 mascot came from a shared vision of the 3 host countries and FIBA. It is captured in the story by the collaboration of 3 young fans from Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Caloy from the Philippines, Kota from Japan, and Dewi from Indonesia, who all met online and decided to create something unique that would unite basketball fans around the world and represent their three nations.

This newly unveiled mascot is yet to be named as the three young designers wanted fans to be part of this exciting experience. Therefore, a naming competition is hosted on the official mascot page of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 website, until June 30, and those taking part can enter a draw to win an official Molten ball. So please participate and share your best ideas, it could go a long way!

The mascot, which is in fact a robot, is programmed to be fun, friendly, and sporty. It has terrific dribbling skills and also has a supersonic dunk and will be promoting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 globally and sharing its love for basketball with as many people as possible in the lead-up to the event in 2023. 

The mascot has also been designed to encourage fans to consider the environment and educate young generations about recycling through its built-in back hoop. The colors of the mascot represent each of the three host country’s national flags and fans will be happy to know that there is an LED face on the head of the mascot that allows it to communicate with millions of people in different languages.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will tip off on August 25 next year and will be hosted for the first time in its history across three countries, the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. 

Richard Carrion, Chairman of the Joint Management Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 said: “This FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be a unique event, hosted for the first time by three nations, and we wanted a brand new concept for the mascot, not only to celebrate and entertain but also to carry a very important message in today’s world.”

After the naming competition, the newly named mascot will then tour the three host countries of the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia and meet fans as of July this year.