The Latvia men's basketball team has announced its expanded candidate list in preparation for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, featuring three brothers—Iļja, Artūrs, and Rodions Kurucs. These players are crucial as Latvia gears up for their upcoming matches against Poland. The first encounter will take place on February 27, when Latvia hosts Poland, followed by a return match on March 1 in Poland. The inclusion of these three siblings highlights the depth of talent within the Latvian basketball system.

Iļja Kurucs currently plays for "Liepāja", while Artūrs represents the Spanish club Lugo "Rio Breogan", and Rodions is with Vitoria's "Baskonia". However, Rodions is facing a potential setback after sustaining an ankle injury in his last game, with his condition under evaluation before the next match. Despite this challenge, his inclusion in the candidate list shows the team's commitment to utilizing their best players as they prepare for a competitive series against Poland, who currently leads Group F with two wins.

The expanded list comprises 24 players, with notable inclusions from the EuroLeague, such as Artūrs Žagars and Rolands Šmits, while Dāvis Bertāns from the EuroLeague club "Dubai" has not made the list this time. This mix of local and international talent reflects Latvia's growing prominence in international basketball, as they look to secure their spot in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and build towards future success on the global stage.