The eyes of many fans will be on their favorite individual stars at the FIBA World Cup, with the likes of Greece's NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo and Serbia's sensational big man Nikola Jokic looking to lead their nations to success in China, while Kemba Walker tries to keep a depleted USA squad at the top of the heap. Damion Jones has a closer look.

Following a season that saw him emerge as the NBA's Most Valuable Player, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be squarely in the spotlight at the FIBA World Cup. The Milwaukee Bucks forward arrived in China carrying the hopes of his home country's fans on his shoulders, as they look for Greece to return to the medal stand, for the first time since finishing second in 2006.

But returning runners-up Serbia have their eyes on the big prize as well, especially in the aftermath of Nikola Jokic's breakout with the Denver Nuggets. The versatile center averaged 20.1 points 10.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game during the regular season, and then increased all of those numbers in the playoffs. The absence of veteran Milos Teodosic also leaves the 24-year-old as his team's de facto all-around leader. Spain won the FIBA World Cup in 2006, but with the MVP from that campaign, Pau Gasol, missing this edition due to injuries, his younger brother Marc will be relied upon as the squad's strongest force in the middle, as he tries to claim a second title in three months, after helping the Toronto Raptors lift their first NBA trophy in June.

Another key veteran for the Spaniards is point guard Ricky Rubio, who's eager to pace the unit back to the heights they reached 13 years ago. The recent Phoenix Suns addition will be heavily counted on in the backcourt, with longtime floor general Jose Calderon not on the roster. 

Another star ballhandler with big ambitions at this tournament is Australia's Patty Mills, the San Antonio mainstay who went off for 30 points in a recent warm-up game, to help the Men from Down Under stun the USA 98-94, snapping a 78-game win streak in major international events, which had stood since 2006. He played briefly for China's Xinjiang Flying Tigers eight years ago, and helped the Spurs become NBA champions in 2014.

This event's reigning titleholders will be led by Kemba Walker, after many of the most high profile American players, declined to participate. The 29-year-old guard spent his entire professional career with the Charlotte Hornets, before moving to the Boston Celtics over the summer, and will offer a preview of what his new supporters can expect on the court, by serving as coach Greg Popovich's main executor, for a young but potentially underrated roster, attempting to hold off 31 other contenders, with designs on closing out this event on top of the world. DJ, CGTN.