FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup: Get ready as we take a closer look at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup with teams and players to watchout for as they gear up for the upcoming tournament. Also, a look on the participating African teams, Guinea and Egypt.
Last Updated on
June 29, 2024
The 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup is set to ignite the basketball stage with the world’s top young talent converging for a showcase of skill, athleticism, and national pride. As we gear up for the championship tournament, here’s an in-depth look at what to expect from this prestigious tournament.
The 16-team competition will be hosted in Istanbul–Turkey, from the 29th of June to the 7th of July 2024, with games taking place in the Ahrmet Comert Sports Complex and the Sinan Erdem Dome, promising an electrifying atmosphere for all the competing nations and their fans alike.
USA: The perennial powerhouse, Team USA, comes into the tournament as the defending champions. Known for their depth, athleticism, and coaching, they are the team to beat.
Spain: With a strong basketball heritage, Spain’s youth teams consistently perform well on the international stage. Pay attention to their high-IQ disciplined play and tactical acumen.
France: Known for producing top-tier talent (as seen in both the 2023 and 2024 NBA Drafts), France’s squad is always competitive. Their combination of size and skill makes them formidable opponents.
Cameron Boozer, USA: A standout talent, Cameron Boozer is a versatile guard with scoring ability and excellent court vision. Who along with brother Cayden, are sons of former former Chicago Bulls star and Olympic gold medalist Carlos Boozer. Last year, Cameron was named Most Valuable Player of the U16 FIBA AmeriCup 2023.
AJ Dybansty, USA: The US-born AJ Dybansty, whose father is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and whose mother is Jamaican, is a top prospect who played for Team World at the NIKE Hoop Summit to honour his parent's roots. Meanwhile, Tyran Stokes is ranked number one in ESPN's rankings for the high school class of 2026.
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Sergi Kemu, Spain: Kemu led Spain with 14 points, while Maximo Garcia-Plata added 13 points in their victory over Lithuania in a friendly match. Keep an eye on these standout players!
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Yannis Allard, France: With their win over Spain, the French team made a statement. Yannis Allard scored 20 points, while Jonas Boulefaa recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The French team committed only 11 turnovers and shot 45% from three-point range.
Guinea's participation in the FIBA U17 World Cup marks a significant milestone for the country's basketball aspirations. Placed in Group B (with China, France and the USA) also known as the "group of death," they may not be seen as favourites to win the tournament. Still, their goal is to compete fiercely, gain valuable experience, and inspire future generations of Guinean basketball players.
Guinea's journey to the FIBA U17 World Cup has been a testament to the country's growing commitment to basketball. The team secured their spot by performing exceptionally well in the FIBA Africa U16 Championship where they emerged as champions, they faced some of the continent's toughest competitors. Guinea's qualification is a significant achievement, marking their continued rise amongst the world's basketball elites.
Arafan Diane and Mohamed Lamine Touré were the standout players of the FIBA U16 African Championship. They led their team with impressive double-double stats: Diane averaged 17.4 points and 17.3 rebounds per game, while Touré averaged 10.3 points and 17.3 rebounds. Both players led the tournament in rebounds.
For Guinea, success in the FIBA U17 World Cup will be gauged not only by victories but by the competitive spirit they bring to each game, their ability to challenge stronger teams, and the development of their players throughout the tournament.
Egypt is poised to make its mark at the 2024 FIBA U17 Men's Basketball World Cup, bringing a blend of talent and determination to the global stage. This prestigious tournament, which gathers the best young basketball talents from around the world, offers Egypt a chance to showcase its burgeoning basketball prowess and compete against the elite in youth basketball.
Egypt secured its place in the tournament through a strong performance in the FIBA Africa U16 Championship, finishing second. The team displayed impressive skill and teamwork, overcoming tough competition to earn one of the coveted spots in the World Cup. Their journey to the tournament has been marked by rigorous training camps and participation in various preparatory tournaments, ensuring the players are in peak condition.
Ali Assran, 17, and Omar Essam, 16, significantly impacted Egypt's qualifying for the FIBA U17 Men's World Cup. They were top performers in the FIBA U16 African Championship, with Assran averaging 11.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and Essam contributing 10.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Expectations are high for these two key players as they head into this year's world championship tournament.
Egypt's participation in the 2024 FIBA U17 Men's Basketball World Cup marks a significant milestone for the nation's basketball development programs. It highlights the progress in nurturing young talent and sets a foundation for future success on the international stage. As the tournament unfolds, Egypt aims to leave a lasting impression and continue building its legacy in basketball.
The tournament comprises 16 teams divided into four groups of four. Each team competes against the others during the group stage, where the top two teams progress to the knockout stages. The knockout rounds conclude with a showdown to determine the world champions.
Emerging Talents: Which young stars will make a name for themselves and attract the attention of international scouts (for both professional clubs and US colleges) and fans alike?
Defending Champions: Can Team USA continue their dominance, or will a new champion emerge?
African Contenders: How will our Africa nations fare against the rest of the world?
Surprise Packages: Which underdog teams will rise to the occasion and upset the more fancied opponents?
The FIBA U17 World Cup promises to be an enthralling spectacle of basketball, where the future stars of the sport will display their talents on a global stage. With intense competition, exciting matchups, and a showcase of young talent, fans around the world are in for a treat. Stay tuned as we bring you all the action and stories from this premier youth basketball tournament.
[Photography/Images Courtesy of FIBA]
