Shenzhen (China) (AFP)

Even in the absence of the best Americans, basketball stars will be at the rendezvous of the World Cup in China. Ten players to follow from Saturday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)

The "Greek Freak" (the Greek phenomenon) became the second European to be crowned MVP (best player) of the NBA, twelve years after the German Dirk Novitzki, thanks to a monumental season with the Milwaukee Bucks. This 24-year-old giant, 2.11m tall, incredibly quick and fast for his size (so much so that this strongman can even play leading), has accumulated 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 average passes. His presence makes Greece a candidate for the podium.

Nikola Jokic (Serbia)

The big Serb (2.13 m) is an atypical pivot who likes nothing so much as making passes. A little wrapped, he is not one of those who fly to smash the circle, but his vision of the game and his address are wonderful. He has shot at 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists (he is over 1000 in four seasons in the NBA) this season. The Denver Nuggets, which had only selected it as 41st in the draft in 2014, have just signed on for another five years for more than $ 150 million. In Serbia, he is as popular as Novak Djokovic.

Kemba Walker (United States)

In the absence of James, Curry, Leonard and others, he is one of only two Americans to have played the last All Star Game (his third in a row) with Khris Middleton. He is a spectacular leader, relatively small (1.85 m) and focused on scoring (25.6 points average this season). He was recruited by the Boston Celtics after making his career in Charlotte.

Marc Gasol (Spain)

At 34, the Spanish pivot made his dream come true by becoming the NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, joining his brother Pau who had been twice with the Los Angeles Lakers (they are the only siblings to have the famous ring) . Huge (2.15 m), strong but also skilful, he will be the leader of the Spanish team who hopes to get back on the podium thirteen years after the coronation of 2006.

Rudy Gobert (France)

The huge pivot Utah Jazz (2.17 m) was named the best defender of the NBA for the second year in a row. Very mobile for his size, he is a counter specialist. In attack, it does not move away from the circle but makes the show by crushing a few dunks.

Patty Mills (Australia)

The second leader of the San Antonio Spurs may not be an NBA superstar, but he loves to shine in Fiba basketball. Witnesses his 30 points during the victory of the "Boomers" on the United States in preparation. "He moves, he enters, he is intelligent, he is hard, in short it is a pain!", Said the American coach Gregg Popovich, who is also his coach in Texas.

Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro)

The 2.13 ma pivot reaches maturity at age 28 after seven seasons at Orlando Magic, where he speaks French with his friend Evan Fournier, who grew up in Belgium where his father played basketball. He played his first All Star Game and finished the season at over 20 points.

Dennis Schröder (Germany)

The Oklahoma City Wisp (1.85m) loves sneaking through the giants with its super-fast supports to close near the circle. Since the retirement of Dirk Nowitzki, he is the player who can allow Germany to create surprises.

Rui Hachimura (Japan)

In June, he was the first Japanese ever drafted in the NBA by the Washington Wizards where he will wear the N.8 (Hachi in Japanese). The 2.03-meter winger, who says he is "the size of his Beninese-born father and his Japanese mother's speed," should be one of Japan's stars at the Tokyo Games next summer. In preparation, he scored 31 points in Japan's promising win over Germany.

Donovan Mitchell (United States)

This 22-year-old back is endowed with spectacular physical qualities. He won the All Star Game dunking contest in 2018 and shot over 20 points in his first two seasons with the Utah Jazz. It is he who could attract attention in an American team deprived of his stars.

© 2019 AFP