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The 2019 FIBA World Cup begins in less than a week's time, and the tournament is gearing up to be one of the most competitive in recent history. While Team USA enter the tournament considerably under-strength, most of their closest competitors enter the competition at full strength.
Team USA's vulnerability was demonstrated earlier this week as they lost for the first time in more than a decade, and Gregg Popovich's team is likely to face plenty of competition from a number of well-equipped sides from Europe.
Additionally, while USA's biggest stars have withdrawn from the tournament, there are plenty of big names set to suit up for their closest contenders. So, as the anticipation for this year's World Cup builds, here are five European players to keep an eye out for.
#5 Frank Ntilikina - France
Frank Ntilikina was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 8th overall pick of the 2017 draft, and the young point guard has already amassed more than 120 regular-season appearances. However, Ntilikina has been heavily criticized for his lack of progress and has career averages of just 5.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per contest.
Nevertheless, while Ntilikina's future with the Knicks has been questioned, he remains a key component of a French team that is ranked third in the world. The 21-year-old has impressed in the France backcourt during five preparation games and his effort on the defensive end has been particularly praised.
With Dennis Smith Jr. ahead of him in New York, Ntilikina will be looking to impress ahead of a potentially pivotal third season in the NBA.
#4 Danilo Gallinari - Italy
Danilo Gallinari enters the tournament following the best season of his career. During the 18-19 NBA season, the Italian star averaged career highs in points (19.8) and rebounds (6.1), while also connecting with 43% of his three-point attempts.
Despite turning 31 earlier this month, Gallinari is firmly in his prime and will be keen to impress following his (most likely temporary) move to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gallinari will take on the bulk of responsibility alongside San Antonio Spurs star Marco Belinelli, and the two combined for 30 points during Italy's recent loss to Serbia.
Reaching the quarterfinals appears to be a tall task for Gallinari's team, but in perhaps his final World Cup appearance, the veteran star is expected to light up the tournament with his three-point shooting.
#3 Sergio Llull - Spain
Sergio Llull was drafted with the 34th pick of the 2009 draft by the Denver Nuggets, and the Houston Rockets have owned his draft rights ever since paying a record $2.25 million. Nevertheless, Llull has resisted the NBA for the past decade, instead opting to spend his entire professional career with Real Madrid.
The 31-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best players outside the NBA, and he impressed last week even as Spain was defeated by the USA. During the 90-81 loss, Llull managed eleven points and six assists, and the 2017 EuroLeague MVP will be confident of guiding Spain to the business end of the competition.
Llull hinted earlier this summer that he was considering linking up with the Rockets, however, with a move far from assured, this could be your best chance to see him in action.
#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo - Greece
While many of Team USA's top talents were making themselves unavailable for selection, Giannis Antetokounmpo was hard at work with his Greek teammates. Antetokounmpo took on much of the workload during a long season with the Milwaukee Bucks, although the 24-year-old has repeatedly expressed his ambition to win titles - both in the NBA and on the international stage with Greece.
The reigning MVP will try and get his teammates involved as much as possible, although the Greece roster lacks quality, with the majority playing in their native country. This means that hopes fall firmly on the shoulders of Antetokounmpo, and fans should be treated to some of the best individual performances of the competition.
Playing in second gear last week, the Greek Freak scored 18 points as his side beat Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the All-Star performs in a potential matchup against the USA.
#1 Nikola Jokic - Serbia
While Team USA's buildup to the World Cup has been plagued by issues, Serbia have demonstrated why some experts believe they are the best team in the tournament. Serbia's roster possesses talent from both the NBA and EuroLeague, and the team boasts one of the game's best players in Nikola Jokic.
The 25-year-old has been instrumental in recent wins over Italy and Turkey and is coming off an NBA season in which he averaged career highs in points (20.1), rebounds (10.8), and assists (7.3). Named as an All-Star for the first time last season, Jokic has been widely tipped as a future MVP, and the center will be keen to demonstrate his all-round skillset on the international stage.
Jokic is also aware that his Serbia team has a real shot at defeating the usually invincible Americans, so expect nothing short of a huge tournament from the Denver star.
Guess the Lakers players!
