'Football, basketball truly global sports'

In basketball, Europe will be best represented in Japan with nine teams (37.5% of the field), ahead of the Americas, which have six teams (25%). Asia has four teams (16.6%), including hosts Japan, while Africa three (12.5%) and Oceania two (8.3%).

Compare that with the FIFA World Cup, to which Europe will send 14 teams (43.8% of the field of 32), the Americas eight teams (25%), Africa five teams (15.6%), Asia four teams (12.5%) and Oceania one (3.1%).

The close comparison to the world's number one outdoor sport represents a fair global distribution as nations like Angola, Senegal and Nigeria emerging in Africa with the talent to take on traditional powers in Europe and the Americas.

Angola finished 11th in the last FIBA World Championship and went to the Olympic Games with high hopes before Mario Palma's best laid plans were undone by the loss of star Miguel Lutonda to injury.

For the first time in history, Africa and Asia will be represented at FIBA's most prestigious event with three and four teams, respectively. This may serve as a catalyst for the game on these continents to develop even faster than it already is.

Asia and Africa are often referred to as "sleeping giants" when it comes to basketball. Patrick Baumann, the FIBA Secreatry General, hopes for a boost in those regions.

He said: "There is no better development program than competition on the highest level. The African and Asian teams competing in Japan will gain huge experience and they might even be good for a surprise. And this will trickle down to their regions."

Performances at the FIBA World Championship can lead directly to Olympic qualification as the champions and the hosts both receive one of the 12 Olympic places.