FIBA World Cup Preview: Group E

Shanghai is home to over 26 million people and Group E games at the FIBA World Cup. Headlined by the United States, the pool is rounded out by Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Japan.

For all the hand-wringing over who has chosen not to play for the Americans this summer, Team USA remains the favorite to win its third straight World Cup. The closest competition it has in Group E comes from Turkey, currently ranked 17th in the FIBA rankings. A U.S. loss to the Czechs or Japan would be considered an upset of monumental proportions.

That said, each team has intriguing components, and all feature at least one active NBA player.

Group schedule

Czech Republic

Projected starting 5

Key player

With former NBA power forward Jan Vesely missing the tournament due to a knee injury, it'll be the Tomas Satoransky show. The Chicago Bulls combo guard figures to be running point for the Czechs, utilizing some of the craftiness he's displayed in the Association over the last three seasons.

Satoransky showcases great energy on defense, be it chasing loose balls or swiping into passing lanes. Offensively, some help for Satoransky comes on the wings in Jaromir Bohacik and Vojtech Hruban - both of whom star for Czech powerhouse CEZ Nymburk.

Japan

Projected starting 5

Key player

Team Japan calls its frontcourt of Rui Hachimura, Yuta Watanabe, and Nick Fazekas the "Big Three." Watanabe and Fazekas have a combined 41 games of NBA experience under their belts, but all eyes will be on Hachimura - the most hyped Japanese prospect ever.

Being the focal point of Japan's basketball hopes is nothing new for the soon-to-be Washington Wizards rookie. Last year at age 20, Hachimura averaged a team-high 21.5 points in four Asian qualifier games. His power, athleticism, and length should come in handy against the likes of Turkey, and this experience should serve him well as he heads to the NBA.

Turkey

Projected starting 5

Key player

Turkey has long been a strong basketball nation, finishing second to the U.S. as host of the 2010 World Cup. The only two holdovers from that squad are Milwaukee Bucks veteran Ersan Ilyasova and former NBAer Semih Erden, but Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman is primed to take the reins in China.

The 24-year-old is a veteran on a young team and led the way through Turkey's exhibition schedule, including a 19-point, nine-rebound performance in a win over France.

Head coach Ufuk Sarica trotted out multiple starting lineups at the recent Acropolis Tournament in Greece, but Osman, Ilyasova, and fellow NBAer Furkan Korkmaz are expected to be heavily relied upon at the World Cup. Transplanted American and former Florida standout Scottie Wilbekin will also play an important role as a combo guard.

United States

Projected starting 5

Key player

This ain't the Dream Team, but the U.S. will still have two of the five best players at the tournament in Kemba Walker and Donovan Mitchell. While most point to Walker being the squad's alpha dog, Mitchell may be the most indispensable player. He's the natural starter at shooting guard but will also have ample stretches of running point when Walker sits.

Mitchell, who turns 23 during the World Cup, has already drawn comparisons to Dwyane Wade. At roughly the same age, Wade put together a stellar performance for Team USA at the 2006 World Championship (the World Cup's former name).

The Walker-Mitchell backcourt dynamic moves Khris Middleton to small forward, but he'll slide back to shooting guard when one of Walker or Mitchell leave the game - and specialists Joe Harris (shooting) and Derrick White (defense) aren't being utilized.

The exits of P.J. Tucker and Kyle Kuzma took away Team USA's last power forwards, and it will force coach Gregg Popovich to play small. That could mean stretches of Jayson Tatum - who had a strong camp for Team USA - or Harrison Barnes at the four. It also magnifies Myles Turner's value to the squad, whether or not Pop starts him or chooses Brook Lopez's shooting at the five.