By Emre Asikci
ANKARA (AA) - Lithuania is looking for a medal in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup as completion starts Saturday in China.
The Lithuanians will take on Australia, Canada and Senegal in Group H.
Lithuania will compete in the tournament for the fourth time after the European heavyweights has its best finish in the competition at the 2010 championships in Turkey, earning a bronze medal.
It also earned gold in Sweden at the 2003 EuroBasket championship.
The team has two standout players: NBA stars Domantas Sabonis from the Indiana Pacers and Jonas Valanciunas who plays with the Memphis Grizzlies.
It is currently ranked sixth in FIBA World Rankings.
Lithuania's squad is as follows:
Mantas Kalnietis, Jonas Maciulis, Renaldas Seibutis, Domantas Sabonis, Paulius Jankunas, Jonas Valanciunas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Rokas Giedraitis, Marius Grigonis, Lukas Lekavicius, Arnas Butkevicius, Edgaras Ulanovas.
-Australia
The team from Down Under stunned the U.S. 98-94 in August. It was first loss for the Americans in international competition in 13 years.
Soaring high of that win, it will look for more glory as it has reached the quarterfinals in four of its tournament’s 12 appearances.
NBA stars include San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills, Utah Jazz's Joe Ingles, Cleveland Cavaliers' Matthew Dellavedova and Phoenix Suns' Aron Baynes.
It ranks 11 in FIBA World standings.
-Canada
Ranked 23 in the world, Canada will compete in the tournament for the 13th time.
Brady Heslip from Istanbul BSB and Kyle Wiltjer of Turk Telekom will be on the court for Canada.
Canada's squad is as follows:
Aaron Best, Khem Birch, Chris Boucher, Oshea Brissett, Melvin Ejim, Brady Heslip, Cory Joseph, Kaza Kajami-Keane, Andrew Nembhard, Duane Notice, Kevin Pangos, Phil Scrubb, Thomas Scrubb, Kyle Wiltjer.
-Senegal
With just its fifth time in the tournament, Senegal ranks 37th in world standings but will provide solid play and could steal an upset.
Team captain Maurice Ndour will be the threat in China.
"As the captain of the Senegal team, Ndour will be leading the West Africans to their fifth appearance at this stage," said FIBA. "His personality makes for a true fighter - one who is ready to die for his country.”
Senegal's squad is as follows:
Maurice Ndour, Djibril Thiam, Xane Dalmeida, Pape Diop, Lamine Sambe, Mouhammad Faye, Hamady Ndiaye, Youssoupha Ndoye, Momar Ndoye, Ibrahima Faye, Babacar Toure and Makhtar Gueye.
The Group H fixtures:
Sept. 1:
Canada - Australia
Senegal - Lithuania
Sept. 3:
Australia - Senegal
Lithuania - Canada
Sept. 5:
Canada - Senegal
Lithuania - Australia