SHENZHEN (China) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Draw, presented by Wanda, will take center stage on Saturday, March 16, in Shenzhen. The process of determining the groups and road to crown the world champions will be the headline act but there are plenty more activities to look forward to over the course of the three days (March 15-17), which will be a true celebration of FIBA's flagship competition and of basketball.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Draw, presented by Wanda

Global sporting icon Kobe Bryant, World Cup Ambassador Yao Ming and American best-selling singer/songwriter Jason Derulo headline the star-studded show which will be held in front of 8,000 spectators at Shenzhen Bay Arena.

The draw will start at 18:30 local time (GMT +8) and be streamed live on FIBA's YouTube channel so that fans right around the world can find out in real time what the path will be for each of the 32 participating teams to reach the Final on September 15 in Beijing where the winners will emerge with basketball's biggest prize - the FIBA Basketball World Cup trophy.

Bryant will help carry out the draw, while Derulo will provide the entertainment by performing some of his biggest hits throughout the night.

On hand for this latest milestone on the Road to China 2019, will be: FIBA President Horacio Muratore; FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis; representatives from the 32 participating national teams, including China captain Yi Jianlian; high-ranking officials from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the eight host cities. Special guests will include: former USA national team player and Chinese Basketball Assocation (CBA) star Stephon Marbury; basketball personality Rachel Demita; Yang Chaoyue, a member of Chinese girl group Rocket Girls 101; and Son of Dreams, the Official Mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

The draw procedure will be made public before the draw.

Click here for complete information about the draw.

Unveiling of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 official game ball

On Friday, on the eve of the draw, FIBA and longstanding global partner Molten will come together to exclusively reveal the ball that will be used by global top stars from the 32 best teams at the World Cup.

Be sure to follow #FIBAWC on social media platforms for the chance to win Molten balls over the summer, leading up to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

Draw Festival

On Saturday and Sunday, Shenzhen's Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center will host a huge festival to celebrate the World Cup and basketball. Entrance is free of charge and this will be the place to experience and enjoy plenty of great basketball activities around the draw.

Fans will get to meet and spend time with Son of Dreams, the World Cup's official mascot and, on Sunday, there will be a special visitor to the Festival in the shape of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Trophy.

Shenzhen Skyline Light Show

On the nights of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Shenzhen's skyline will be lit up to celebrate the FIBA Basketball World Cup.  The 8-minute display will take place every hour from 7pm to 10pm each night. The prime position from which to watch the show will be: Star Light Bridge, Rencai Park, No.1 Dongbin Road and Nanshan District.

The draw will also serve as an opportunity to bring together members of FIBA's family as well as the wider community of basketball stakeholders. They will all come together for a gala dinner on Friday, before FIBA's Partners meet for a brunch on Saturday and FIBA's National Member Federations hold a workshop on Sunday.

FIBA