Nebraska Alumni Make Their Mark in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
Four former Nebraska Cornhuskers found themselves at the center of a global basketball story as the latest FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying window unfolded. Jack McVeigh, Thorir Thorbjarnarson, Keisei Tominaga and Tai Webster each wore the colors of their respective countries, helping Australia, Iceland, Japan and New Zealand move closer to the second round of competition.
Australia completed a flawless Group A campaign, finishing 6‑0 and crushing the Philippines 92‑49. McVeigh, seeing limited minutes, still managed three points, two assists and a pair of steals in 22 minutes of action, underscoring his defensive impact.
Iceland secured a second‑round berth by edging Great Britain 88‑86 in a tightly contested game. Thorbjarnarson contributed three points, grabbed a rebound and recorded a steal in just seven minutes off the bench, showing his ability to make an impact when called upon.
Japan fell to Korea 81‑79 after a hard‑fought battle, with Tominaga logging five minutes of play without scoring. Despite the narrow loss, the team’s performance kept them in contention for the next window.
Standout Moments from the Court
New Zealand delivered a dominant 129‑75 victory over Guam, with Webster at the forefront. He scored six points, pulled down five rebounds, dished out three assists and tallied four steals in 19 minutes, a performance that highlighted his all‑around contributions.
The next international window of play is slated for Aug. 24 through Sept. 1, offering each of these former Cornhuskers another chance to influence their national squads as the qualifiers progress toward the final stages.