5 standout performers from the FIBA World Cup

While much of the hand-wringing coming into the FIBA World Cup surrounded NBA players who didn't show up for countries like the United States and Canada, the tournament has showcased plenty of current and former Association talent.

Here are five standout performers from the World Cup:

Luis Scola, Argentina

Scola, who turns 40 in April, has been an ageless wonder in China. The former NBA forward has long since shed his trademark long hair, but unlike Samson, he seems to have gained strength.

Argentina's leader on and off the floor has carried El Alma to an unexpected berth in Sunday's final, as he's averaged 19.3 points on nearly 46% 3-point shooting in seven games so far.

A FIBA World Cup title would be Argentina's first since 1950, and would rank alongside the nation's Olympic championship by the "golden generation" in 2004, when Scola won gold as a 24-year-old. His exploits in China have elicited the ultimate in compliments from opponents.

Patty Mills, Australia

The closest true competition Scola has for the World Cup MVP award is Australia's Patty Mills. Going into Sunday's bronze medal contest against France, the San Antonio Spurs guard leads the tournament in scoring at 23.9 points per game.

Mills has always been a blur and a danger from anywhere on the floor in the NBA. Yet he kicks it into a higher gear when he plays for the Boomers, as he displayed against France in the quarterfinals.

Mills has averaged 22 points a game in either the World Cup or the Olympics dating back to 2012.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia

The focus on Serbia coming into the World Cup was on its rotation of bigs: Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic, and Nikola Milutinov. And while the tournament ended in disappointment for the medal favorite with relegation to the classification round, Bogdan Bogdanovic's performance has been significant.

The Sacramento Kings wing was fourth in tournament scoring going into Saturday's consolation game against the Czech Republic, becoming the first Serbian player to ever score 130 points or more in a FIBA World Cup.

Tomas Satoransky, Czech Republic

Chicago Bulls fans should be enthusiastic from what they've seen from Tomas Satoransky at the World Cup. Fans of the team that traded him, the Washington Wizards, should prepare for another season of Wizards basketball.

The crafty guard dished out more assists than anyone else at the tournament while shooting 45.5% from deep. Satoransky's play in China showcased the skill set that got him drafted in 2012 - an ability to play and guard three positions and get teammates involved.

Rudy Gobert, France

Les Bleus will play for the bronze medal Sunday, and while Evan Fournier is leading the way by scoring more than 20 points a game in the World Cup, he wouldn't have been able to do it without Rudy Gobert springing him off screens.

Gobert will also finish with the tournament lead in rebounds, and possibly blocks. In what might've been French basketball's biggest victory ever over the Americans in the quarterfinals, he sealed the game with a swat on Utah Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell.