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1. United States (Group C) - The USA may not have global icons in LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant but they still have the most talented squad in the whole tournament. They have shooters, headlined by Golden State Warrior teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and, for the first time in a while, have a surplus of big man, led by Anthony Davis, one of the team's two players (the other is SG James Harden) who was on the 2012 Olympic Team. They are the favorites to win their second consecutive World Championship.
2. Spain (Group A) - No country has been hurt by the USA's dominance in recent tournaments than Spain. They have finished in second place in the last two Olympic Games to the United States. This tournament's team has a great combination of youth and experience. They will again be led by the Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc. But they are not the only stars. Serge Ibaka is a three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team, Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon are quality NBA point guards, and Sergio Rodriguez was the 2014 Euroleague MVP. This may be the most talented team Spain has ever sent to a world event. They should be favorites to make it to the championship game.
3. France (Group A) - Even without current NBA Champion Tony Parker, France is as strong as ever. The winners of the 2013 EuroBasket are led by current NBA Champion F Boris Diaw and underrated swingman Nicolas Batum. With other quality NBA players on the squad, along with very good international players, France has the potential to make a run into the championship game.
4. Lithuania (Group D) - Lithuania always puts together a very good team. Toronto Raptors C Jonas Valanciunas will be a key player for Lithuania as their main prescience in the post. He should put up big numbers. PF/C Dontas Montiejunas and PG Mantas Kalnietis are also going to have to play well for Lithuania to reach their potential.
5. Brazil (Group A) - Brazil is looking to improve upon their round of 16 exit at the 2010 World Championships and gain momentum heading into the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. While Spain's big man trio of the Gasol brothers and Ibaka make the headlines as the best big men, Brazil's trio of interior players are frightening as well. Nene, Tiago Splitter, and Anderson Varajao are all players who can put up big numbers when given the chance. Combine them with a good group of guards, Brazil has a team that can go far.
6. Argentina (Group B) - Argentina are led by a bunch of veterans. New York Knicks PG Pablo Priginoni (37 years old) will run the offense while Indiana Pacer F Luis Scola (34) will be the offensive focal point. Former NBA Players Walter Hermann (35) and Andres Nocioni (34) are also on the roster. However, Argentina has a lot of young, up-and-coming players that will get time to prove themselves. For Argentina to succeed, they will need their young players to shine.
Non-NBA Players To Watch
Dario Saric, F, Croatia - Saric was drafted 12th overall by the Orlando Magic in this year's NBA Draft and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers later in the draft. Saric will not be heading over to the NBA this season. This is an event where he can prove himself against very high competition. He should be a focal point of the Croatian squad, getting a good amount of shots and plays designed for him. This is a good stepping stone to get him NBA ready.
Joffrey Lauvergne, PF/C, France - Lauvergne, who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft. was the leading rebounder in the 2013-14 Euroleague season, averaging 8.6 rebounds along with 11.1 points per game. He is a very good rebounder who still has a lot of room to improve on. He did not get much playing time at 2013 EuroBasket, but he will get playing time in Spain. He will play a very good tournament and become a key cog for France.
Eduardo Mingas, PF, Angola - Mingas is not an up-and-coming youngster (he is 35), but he is going to be extremely important to the Angolan squad. Angola lost their best player, Carlos Morias, to injury and Mingas is going to have to pick up the slack. During 2012 Olympic qualifying, he averaged 20.8 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds per game. He does not have to replicated those numbers, but he has to come close for Angola to have a good chance of advancing.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuck, SG, Ukraine - Mykhailiuck is the youngest player in this year's tournament at 17. He played with the U18 team this year at the 2014 U18 European Championship, B Division and was the tournament's MVP, averaging 16 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game. At the 2013 U16 European Championship, Division A, he averaged 25.2 points per game and 8 rebounds per game. Mykhailiuck may not get a lot of playing time, but he should make some impact. He is going to play at the University of Kansas in this upcoming year.
Group Play Predictions
Group A
1. Spain
2. France
3. Brazil
4. Serbia
5. Iran
6. Egypt
Group B
1. Argentina
2. Greece
3. Croatia
4. Puerto Rico
5. Senegal
6. Philippines
Group C
1. USA
2. Turkey
3. Dominican Republic
4. Finland
5. New Zealand
6. Ukraine
Group D
1. Lithuania
2. Slovenia
3. Australia
4. Angola
5. Mexico
6. South Korea
