The Kiwis will have little time to mull because they play Ukraine at 3.35pm in pool B. On Saturday, they take on defending champions Qatar (2.05pm) and Bahrain (3.15pm) in the towering backdrop of what is touted to be one of the biggest buildings in the world.
The template of the abbreviated version of the game means there's no place to hide in the high-octane affair of 20 teams in four pools of five. The top two qualifiers from each pool will go into the last 16 for knockout matches until one is left as reigning champions.
The sixth edition of the cup has a rich tradition for the New Zealanders and a footprint for players to go on to slip on Tall Blacks singlets.
Tai Webster, Reuben Te Rangi and Isaac Fotu set the bar as 2011 champions, going on to become national representatives. Four years later captain Nikau McCullough, tournament MVP Tai Wynyard, Sam Timmins and Matt Freeman, emulated that feat in tense 20-18 victory over Argentina in the final.
"It's a lot different. It's a lot faster paced than normal 5 x 5 basketball and, obviously, there's a different level of fitness involved because the game is only 10 minutes long," says Jones-Mitchell, emphasising there are time outs but that simply means sucking it in pretty much in smart time in the half-court game.
"It's the sevens of basketball, I suppose."
Shooting, he says, is a vital skill because the points undergo depreciation - anything from outside the arc is worth two and field goals are one.
"Just understanding the game and being aware of the shot clock and stuff are really important as well."
Jones-Mitchell is mindful Qatar won't be easy as defending champions.
He has been investing 10-12 hours a week into his training each week to hone his skills.
The player's path is a well trodden one, representing his country in under-16 and under-17 sides to Geelong, Melbourne, in 2014-15.
A former coach, Mike Fitchett, recommended him to Corban to give him a go.
Corban says his picks reflect a collective who will find cohesiveness to acquire a sense of grit to overcome their underdogs status.
"Isaia is athletic guard with inside/outside game. It will be tough for teams to match up on him and defend. I like his physical strength and ability to get to the basket," he says in an NZ Basketball statement.
"Will Heather is a post player with the ability to stretch the defence with his outside shooting ability. I like the fact he can strongly defend the post with one-on-one coverage."
Jones-Mitchell is a year 13 pupil who last year studied at Scot's College but found "it wasn't for me" so he returned home to be closer to his whanau and friends.
Court time in the National Basketball League for the underachieving Hawks was sparing but Jones-Mitchell relished rubbing shoulders with men.
"It was my first taste of the professional league," he says, hastening to add he yearns for more from the domain of blokes in oversized three-quarter shorts and tank tops.
He isn't sure whether that extension of lease will come from the Hawks again or the United States as he puts his feelers out to secure a basketball-playing scholarship after signing up with an agency, Custom College Recruiting.
The teenager, who wishes to pursue tertiary education in the field of psychology, has submitted his profile on YouTube to highlight his credentials and now plays the waiting game.
