SHENZHEN (China) - Every FIBA Basketball World Cup sees young players take the biggest stage in the world for the first time and give fans a taste of the long, great future to come. The 2019 edition in China will also feature some of the world's most prominent stars, headlined by the likes of Jayson Tatum, Rui Hachimura and many others.

Here are some of the top players, 21 years of age and younger, to watch in China.

Jayson Tatum, United States

Tatum is expected to be a major leader for United States in his first appearance for the senior national team. The 21-year-old already has two successful seasons behind him in the NBA with the Boston Celtics. He also knows the world stage after helping United States win the titles at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2014 and the FiBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015.   

Rui Hachimura, Japan

Hachimura is one of the biggest hopefuls for the future of Japanese basketball. He was the first Japanese player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft after a successful career at Gonzaga University. The 21-year-old averaged 21.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.3 assists in four games in the Asian Qualifiers. Hachimura will be playing on the world stage for the third time following the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2014 and FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017.

Josh Okogie, Nigeria

Okogie is making his Nigeria debut in China after he switched official FIBA representation, having played for the United States at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017. The Lagos, Nigeria native, who will turn 21 years old on September 1, will play a major role in the African country's quest in China as he averaged 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals as an 19-year-old rookie in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. 

Frank Ntilikina, France

Ntilikina is making his France senior national team, the 21-year-old did not play in any of the European Qualifiers games. The point guard still has experienced international success, winning both the FIBA U16 European Championship 2014 and FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 - being named MVP of the latter. Ntilikina has spent the last two seasons with the New York Knicks in the NBA.

Didi Louzada, Brazil

The 20-year-old Louzada is playing at his first big international tournament as Brazil look to bring in the next generation. The swingman played in four games during the Americas Qualifiers and averaged 6.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. He was picked in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft after playing last season for Franca in Brazil. 

Aleksandar Balcerowski, Poland

Balcerowski is actually making his Poland national team debut as the 18-year-old center did not play in the European Qualifiers. Balcerowski's only previous tournament for Poland was the FIBA U18 European Championship 2018, Division B. The big man, who is the youngest player in China, played four games for Gran Canaria in the Spanish ACB last season. And his father, Marcin Balcerowski, plays wheelchair basketball and helped Poland finish fifth at the 2018 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship. 

Maximo Fjellerup, Argentina

The 21-year-old Fjellerup is not playing on the world stage for the first time, having starred for Argentina at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2014 and also appeared at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015. The shooting guard also played at the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 at 19 years old. Fjellerup, who played in 10 of the 12 games in the Americas Qualifiers, helped San Lorenzo to the Liga Americas title and the Argentina La Liga league crown.  

Jordan Nwora, Nigeria

Nwora will turn 21 on September 9, a point at which he and Nigeria are hoping to be locking up a spot in the Second Round. The native of Buffalo, New York in the United States played for Nigeria for the first time in the African Qualifiers, averaging 21.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals in three games. He starred last season at Louisville and will be one of the team's main players next season - after he tries to carry Nigeria to the Knockout Phase. 

Dino Radoncic, Montenegro

Radoncic is making his second appearance at a large tournament after averaging 3.0 points and 1.2 steals at FIBA EuroBasket 2017. The 20-year-old also took part in Montenegro's historic run in the European Qualifiers. Radoncic, whose father played handball, grew up in the Real Madrid system and played last season at Burgos and Murcia in Spain.

Andrew Nembhard, Canada

The 19-year-old Nembhard played in two games during the Americas Qualifiers, making his senior national team debut in the June/July 2018 window. The point guard starred at the University of Florida last season. He will be making his second appearance on the world stage after playing at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2016. Nembhard also guided Canada to second place at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018. 

Four more

Here are four more players aged 21 and under at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. The 20-year-old Yago Mateus of Brazil played in nine games in the Americas Qualifiers and averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 assists. Russia's 21-year-old guard Grigory Motovilov did not play in the European Qualifiers but he won a spot on Sergey Bazarevich's squad after a solid showing at the 2019 Summer Universiade. Japan's Avi Schafer spent part of the 2018-19 season at Georgia Tech University in the United States but then the 21-year-old moved back to Japan. He is playing on the world stage for a second time after appearing in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017. Abraham Sie is not expected to get a lot of playing time in China but the 20-year-old Cote d'Ivoire playmaker will undoubtedly gain some great experience.  

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David Hein

Walk into the media tribune of any major basketball event and there's a good chance you will come across David Hein. Having covered dozens of FIBA events, including four previous FIBA Basketball World Cups, there are few players Dave doesn't know about, and few players who don't know him. His sporting curiosity means he is always looking to unearth something new and a little bit special. .