Who's playing in the basketball World Cup?

Thursday, 15 August 2019:

A host of big names won't suit up for the United States or Canada at the World Cup, or their respective warm-up games in Australia starting on Friday.

But that doesn't mean it will be a tournament devoid of stars when the action begins on August 31 in China.

WHO'S PLAYING AT THE BASKETBALL WORLD CUP?

* Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) - The reigning NBA MVP said last week he'd trade that accolade for a World Cup title in a sign the Milwaukee Bucks superstar meant business.

Brothers Thanasis and Kostas will join him in the squad, with a likely second-round battle against the United States an early treat for fans.

* Nikola Jokic (Serbia) - The Joker heads a strong Serbian side, rated the best bet of toppling two-time defending champions the United States.

The Denver big has tremendous hands and vision to go with his physicality.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nemanja Bjelica, Milos Teodosic and NBA giant Boban Marjanovic will ensure the Rio Olympic silver medallists run deep again.

* Kemba Walker (USA) - The last remaining All-Star on the United States' roster will get his chance to be the man after a slew of withdrawals.

The new Boston guard should relish that, though, alongside Utah tyro Donovan Mitchell in a backcourt sure to excite and provide.

First-time national coach Gregg Popovich also has Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Myles Turner and Brook Lopez at his disposal.

* Joe Ingles (Australia) - In Ben Simmons' absence, Ingles is the Boomers' only regular NBA starter in China after the sharp-shooting, quick-witted small forward's consistency for Utah.

The all-round contributions of Ingles set him apart and should only improve the effectiveness of his NBA teammates Aron Baynes, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Jonah Bolden.

* Domantus Sabonis (Lithuania) - One of international basketball's most-consistent teams will be headed by NBA big Sabonis and counterpart Jonas Valanciunas.

Sabonis averaged 14.1 points and 9.3 rebounds off the bench last year for Indiana, while the more-experienced Valanciunas averages close to a double-double across his seven NBA seasons.

* Rudy Gobert (France) - The back-to-back NBA defensive player of the year will be central to the French charge since the retirement of Tony Parker and Boris Diaw.

But Ingles' Jazz teammate will still have the help of Charlotte's Nicolas Batum, Orlando's Evan Fournier and veteran guard Nando de Colo as they eye a potential second-round encounter with Australia.

* Marc Gasol (Spain) - The experienced NBA big's arrival in Toronto from Memphis helped the Raptors to a NBA title and Gasol will take that winning touch to China alongside dangerous guard Ricky Rubio.

But, in good news for Australian fans who will remember their gutting one-point win in Rio's bronze-medal game, Marc's big brother Pau won't be there and neither will Serge Ibaka or Nikola Mirotic.

* Rui Hachimura (Japan) - Made history this year as the country's maiden first-round NBA draft pick and heads a team that, unlike almost all others in China, can boast being at full strength.

Fresh out of American college, the forward is yet to debut for the Washington Wizards but there will arguably be more eyes on him than any other players thanks to the massive interest in Japan.

Hachimura is a third of Japan's own 'Big Three', alongside Memphis swingman Yuta Watanabe and American-born veteran Nick Fazekas.

THE BOOMERS' ROAD TO CHINA:

* Australia v Canada in Perth, August 16, 17

* Australia v USA in Melbourne, August 22, 24

* World Cup begins in China, August 31






AAP