Now we take a look at some of the title hopefuls in China, as defending champions the USA look to win FIBA's top honor for a third time in a row. But Gregg Popovich's team are in for a very tough run as they attempt to 'three peat' with a much depleted roster. Damion Jones has more.

The USA will tip-off their FIBA World Cup title defense in Group E in Shanghai, where they will be challenged by the Czech Republic on Sunday, followed by contests against Turkey and Japan. But even if the Americans cruise through pool play on the strength of talent alone, Gregg Popovich's men might still be hard pressed to win a sixth title without many of the NBA's best known stars on board. A total of 17 players pulled out ahead of the event, including Anthony Davis, James Harden, and Damian Lillard. But the veteran coach says the roster making this trip has already developed decent chemistry.

GREGG POPOVICH USA COACH "They're not mutually exclusive. You build camaraderie all the time. If it was a regular NBA season you could be in the 58th game and still be building camaraderie. Here you have to do that a little bit quicker obviously."

Pop's unheralded squad got a taste of what awaits them in China, when they lost to Australia 98-94 in a warm-up game in Melbourne last Saturday. But the defending champions insist that they've already regrouped, and believe that cohesion will be the most important element going forward.

DONOVAN MITCHELL USA GUARD "I think we are doing well. As I said, we got in this morning, guys energy in practice was great. Guys were sharp, moving perfectly. I think when you start to worry about how much you have been travelled, that when it starts to become a mental thing. For us, we're worried about, you know, just ways to build and become better as a unit."

The Americans' confidence notwithstanding, even stronger units haven't been immune to upsets in the past, such as their 101-95 defeat by Greece in the 2006 semi-finals. Now the Blue and White are back with an outfit that appears poised to top that accomplishment on paper, thanks to the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the NBA Most Valuable Player will need other teammates to step up as well, to truly click on all cylinders. Another championship contender from Europe is Serbia, featuring a unit that boasts five NBA standouts, including all-around phenomenon Nikola Jokic, whose multi-faceted skills will be instrumental as he, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Boban Marjanovic, and the rest of the Balkan side try to avenge losses to the U.S. in the finals of the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

An in terms of momentum, the Serbians have a red-hot hand after going 8-0 in warm-ups, including an 85-80 overtime win against the Greeks in Athens. Damion Jones, CGTN.