Top 10 reasons to follow the FIBA U16 Asia Championship
FOSHAN (FIBA U16 Asia Championship) - After a long wait, the FIBA U16 Asia Championship is finally about to tip off, and it will feature some of the most promising young hoopsters in the Asia and Oceania.
FOSHAN (FIBA U16 Asia Championship) - After a long wait, the FIBA U16 Asia Championship is finally about to tip off, and it will feature some of the most promising young hoopsters in the Asia and Oceania.
The biggest tournament for U16 players this side of the globe begins tomorrow with thirteen teams divided into four groups. China, Hong Kong and New Zealand are in Group A, while Australia, Philippines and Malaysia make up Group B. Over in Group C are Chinese Taipei, Iran and Macau, while rounding out the competition is Group D with India, Japan, Korea and Lebanon.
What are the most compelling storylines as we near the tournament? We give you 10 reasons to follow the action from Foshan, China.
1 - Can China return to the top?
China have won three of the past four editions of this competition (2009, 2011, 2013), but for the first time ever, they failed to make it to the Final in 2015. Their aura of invincibility was shattered that year, and they are certainly looking to redeem themselves here. Playing at home for the first time in the tournament's history, China may just be able to return to past glory.
2 - Will Korea defend their title?
Korea shocked the continent by winning the 2015 edition in emphatic style, eliminating China in the Semi-Finals and blowing out Chinese Taipei in the Final. Head coach Kim HyunSoo has declared this year's iteration is even stronger than the one from 2015, and if true, Korea may just succeed in defending their crown. They should be led by Lee SeungWoo, Cha MinSeok and Lee KyuTae.
3 - Too many tall kids!
Never has an FIBA U16 Asia tournament had so many players standing taller than 6ft 6in (1.98m). It's proof that the younger generation are ready to make their mark and a sign of things to come. For example, the Philippines have three guys standing 6ft 7in (2.00m) or taller, including the tallest player in the entire field, 7ft 1in (2.16m) Kai Sotto. India have two guys standing 6ft 10in (2.08m), Lebanon have 6ft 8in (2.03m) Yorgo Bou Harb and Iran have three players standing 6ft 8in (2.03m) or taller! Of course, it goes without saying that China and Australia are also top heavy, especially with Jiao Boqiao standing 6ft 10 (2.08m) and Paul Tsapatolis standing 6ft 8in (2.03m).
4 - Will Chinese Taipei duplicate their 2015 magic?
The Taipei quintet blindsided nearly everyone when they made it to the Final in 2015, but this time around they won't have as much size or depth with which to work. Still, head coach Wu Ching-Chieh is hopeful that they can still make a big impact in this competition using their speed and shooting. They will have to rely on guards Chen Li-Sheng, Chen Kuan-Chung and Lin Hsin-Hsiang.
5 - Athleticism aplenty!
Looking around all the talent in the tournament will reveal the increased level of athleticism at this level. Japan's Chikara Tanaka has been known to get up big time, while Australia's Wani Swaka Lo Buluk also has hops. Not to be outdone is Shalom Broughton from New Zealand, who is known to sky for those highlight-worthy slam dunks.
6 - Can these players do better the second time around?
There are a couple of players here who will see action at the U16 level for the second time around, and they are surely hoping to make a bigger difference than they did in 2015. One of them is India's Harshwardhan Tomar, who averaged 5.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for India as a wide-eyed 14-year-old kid two years ago. Another is Lebanon's Mohamad El Khatib, a 5ft 9in (1.76m) point guard who was mainly riding the bench in 2015.
7 - New teams on the block
The entry of both Australia and New Zealand has rocked FIBA Asia to the core in every major tournament so far, and there is no doubt a seismic power shift will be felt here, too. The Crocs are the tenth-ranked boys team in the entire world, while the Junior Tall Blacks are #33, ahead of teams like India, Lebanon and Malaysia and right behind Philippines. With only four U17 Basketball World Cup spots up for grabs, Australia and New Zealand will most definitely crowd the traditional Asian powers.
8 - The next Kyrie Irving?
Keep your eyes on Australian point guard Tamuri Wigness. He stands a modest 6ft 0in (1.84m), but he has been known to display wicked ball-handling, tremendous court vision and sharp shooting. In Australia, his highlights have spread like a virus, and he has become known as "The Next Kyrie Irving." Is he the real deal? We'll find out soon enough.
9 - Iran make their return
Iran have always been a major Asian hardwood power, but they've been quite inconsistent at the U16 level. The best they have ever achieved is to finish third place, and that was way back in 2009. They hosted the 2013 edition in Tehran, but they played miserably, ending up 6th overall. Now they're out to reclaim their place among Asia's U16 elite, and we should expect guys like Seyed Mortazavi and Matin Aghajanpour to lead the way.
10 - NBA-bound?
Cairns Junior Tamuri Wigness “Can play at NBA level and he will represent Australian one day.” https://t.co/d318VqU8sE pic.twitter.com/OLZjauOh2t
— AussieHoopla (@aussiehoopla) August 10, 2017
With so many tall and talented players, some have surely turned the heads of prospective US NCAA, Euro or even NBA scouts, right? Filipino giant Kai Sotto has received a couple of offers from the States to study and play, while Wigness himself has attracted interest from collegiate scouts. Wigness's teammate, Hunter Clarke, is also currently playing in a US high school to improve his chances of getting US NCAA offers. In several years down the line, will we see at least a couple of these players get drafted in the NBA like former U16 stars Satnam Singh Bhamara and Zhou Qi? It's highly likely.
FIBA