FIBA World Cup 2019: 5 Team Pilipinas players to look out for

#4 Gabe Norwood

Norwood dunks on Luis Scola in the 2014 World Cup

Gabe Norwood, the high-flying guard/forward will now be Team Pilipinas' captain this FIBA World Cup. Norwood was a key player in the 2014 FIBA World Cup as he was Gilas' defensive anchor in the squad's run in the group rounds.

In the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, Norwood scored 5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while playing 26.8 minutes per contest. His stat line, however, does not fully demonstrate his importance to the team. Norwood is an elite perimeter player who can be trusted to defend the opponent's best player. He is also a well-respected leader for Team Pilipinas, hence the captain in his name.

Expect him to show flashes of aggressiveness to attack the rim when teammates' shots don't fall. Expect him to posterize someone at least once in the competition. Expect him to shoot a couple of timely shots when a teammate is double-teamed. Expect his feistiness and grit to influence his teammates on the defensive end. Most of all, when things get rough, expect him to stay level-headed as he keeps his team's emotions in check.