These Young Guns will make a difference at the OQTs

    4 min to read
    Long Read
    Jean Montero

    Watch out for these under 21 players ready to make a name at the OQTs!

    MIES (Switzerland) - Age is just a number and doesn't mean someone is too old or too young to do something at a high level. The FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments will witness that as a number of youngsters are expected to play a major role in their countries' hopes of reaching the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    After reviewing the possible rosters for the four OQTs in Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico and Spain, here are some of the young guns born 2003 or later who could have an impact for their nations.

    Mason Amos - 2004 - Philippines - OQT Latvia

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    Amos will not turn 20 until after the 2024 Olympics but the forward could be needed greatly by Gilas in their hopes to get to Paris given that AJ Edu is injured.

    Amos contributed 6.5 points in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers window in February 2024.

    Gael Bonilla - 2003 - Mexico - OQT Puerto Rico

    Gael Bonilla

    The 21-year-old Bonilla has already become a major contributor to the Mexican national team, despite the side featuring a number of players aged 30 or older.

    Bonilla is a strong force around the basket at both ends and this is already his third summer with the senior national team.

    Luka Bogavac - 2003 - Montenegro - OQT Latvia

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    Bogavac is just one summer removed from FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2023 but he is already being counted upon by Bosko Radovic's team.

    The point guard had a strong season at SC Derby and would be making his senior national team debut in Latvia.

    Miro Little - 2004 - Finland - OQT Spain

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    Little played a minor role at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 but the 19-year-old could be called upon to take more responsibility, especially since the team will be without star Lauri Markkanen.

    Little is an athletic guard who can really fight his way through contact to get to the paint and score.

    Jean Montero - 2003 - Dominican Republic - OQT Greece

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    Montero must be considered one of the most important faces of the future of Dominican Republic basketball. The guard will turn 21 in early July and he was already in China with the senior national team during the final preparations of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

    The veterans on the team fully respect the young, talented, athletic guard who has a scorer's mentality but can also create for others.

    Juan Nunez - 2004 - Spain - OQT Spain

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    Nunez could be the key for Spain's chances to reach the Olympics as the 20-year-old will be playing his second major competition after serving as the lead point guard at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

    Nunez is a year older and more mature and head coach Sergio Scariolo knows he can count on the youngster when it matters most.

    Giorgi Ochkhikidze - 2004 - Georgia - OQT Latvia

    Giorgi Ochkhikidze

    Ochkhikidze made his senior national team debut at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in February 2024 and played nearly 21 minutes per game at age 19.

    The point guard has since then turned 20 and head coach Aleksandar Dzikic has shown he trusts the youngster. Ochkhikidze will be needed as Georgia are lacking playmakers.

    Jeremy Sochan - 2003 - Poland - OQT Spain

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    Sochan has only played one game for Poland's senior national team, appearing in the February 2021 window of the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers. The NBA forward battled an injury to close the season but he would be a massive boost to Igor Milicic's team if he plays.

    Sochan is an excellent rebounder but can also serve as playmaker at times.

    Other Young Guns to watch:

    Ulrich Chomche - 2005 - Cameroon - OQT Latvia Eduardo Francisco - 2003 - Angola - OQT Spain Ben Gold - 2003 - New Zealand - OQT Greece Youssef Khayat - 2003 - Lebanon - OQT Spain Lefteris Mantzoukas -2003 - Greece - OQT Greece Yves Missi - 2004 - Cameroon - OQT Latvia

    Final rosters will be confirmed following the Technical Meeting, which is set to take place before the start of the competitions. So some of the players listed here might not make the final national teams for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

    FIBA

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