MIES (Switzerland) - United States head into the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 as the heavy favorites for the title - given the fact they have never lost a game in the history of this competition. But every country will be heading to Türkiye with the dream of hoisting the trophy at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul on July 7.
We took a look at all 16 teams and tried to figure out how they could snap the Americans’ winning streak and dethrone the champs.
This is the second installment with final eight teams.
ITALY
Group C - Best result: 9th place in 2014
Italy will be playing at the U17 World Cup for the second time following 2014, when they finished ninth. The Italians surprised some by taking second place at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023, going through the field undefeated - including wins over Germany and France - before losing to Spain in the Final.
The Italians are traditionally tough as nails but this group definitely has some talent to go far in Istanbul including Diego Garavaglia, Adrian Mathis, Maikcol Perez and Achille Lonati.
LITHUANIA
Group A - Best result: 3rd place in 2016
Lithuania have reached the U17 World Cup four times and they have advanced to the Semi-Finals in three of those appearances. The Baltic country grabbed third place in 2016 and had their worst showing in 2012 when they hosted the event.
The Lithuanians will not overpower opponents with length or athleticism, but you know they will give everything they have and play a strong team-orientated game. That will definitely earn them some wins, but for Lithuania to reach the summit, players like Dovydas Buika, Arturas Butajevas, Ignas Urbanos and Mantas Liutkevicius will need to step up.
NEW ZEALAND
Group C - Best result: 12th place in 2022
New Zealand are starting to become regulars at the U17 World Cup, making now their third straight appearance. And the Oceanians played well at the FIBA U16 AsiaCup 2023, beating Korea and China and then narrowly losing to Australia after a back-and-forth battle in the Final. New Zealand will certainly play their typical brand of tough, flexibility and high IQ basketball.
U16 AsiaCup MVP Oscar Goodman already has gained great experience at the Centre of Excellence in Australia while Hayden Jones debuted for the senior Tall Blacks at this February's FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, and Lachlan Crate is another team leader.
PHILIPPINES
Group A - Best result: 13th place in 2018
Philippines are back in the U17 World Cup after missing the last edition and it will be the country's third appearance. The Asians improved from their 15th placed showing in 2014 to 13th place in 2018. Philippines were beaten twice by China and Australia at the FIBA U16 AsiaCup 2023 but they did knock off Korea and Japan.
Philippines will not have an easy task as they have two Europeans (Spain and Lithuania) plus Puerto Rico in their group plus a cross-over with United States or France in the Round of 16 is looming. Still, it's clear that players like Kieffer Alas, Bonn Daja, Joaquin Ludovice and Kurt Velasquez will give everything they have.
PUERTO RICO
Group A - Best result: 3rd place in 2018
Puerto Rico have only appeared in two previous U17 World Cups but the Americas side has been successful in both, taking fifth place in their debut in 2014 and then grabbing the third spot on the podium in 2018. Puerto Rico face a massive test early on with games against Spain and Lithuania and if they finish third in the group would then take on most likely the loser between United States and France.
At least the Central Americans will be battle-tested from the group stage. Felipe Quinones was the leader of the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2023 team and he will be extra motivated after his experience at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024 in early June. Some of the past U16 teammates who will help him the most are Justin Roman and Alex Montes while the team will have strong reinforcements making their FIBA debut.
SPAIN
Group A - Best result: 2nd place in 2022
Spain are hungry to finally capture the title - especially after narrowly missing out two years ago at home in Malaga, where they lost in the Final to United States. That tournament also saw the Spanish finally break through after losing in the Semi-Finals in 2012, 2014 and 2016 and also finally grabbing their first medal.
Spain will come in on a high as well as they won the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 crown and nearly the entire team will be back together this summer to finish the job. Gildas Gimenez and Guillermo Del Pino will be the leaders of the team while Andy Huelvas, Alberto Blanco and Ian Platteeuw will take major responsibility as well. But can Spain knock off the Americans if they get a matchup with them?
TÜRKIYE
Group C - Best result: 2nd place in 2016
Türkiye will be hosting the U17 World Cup for the first time - and the first of two consecutive tournaments in the country. The country will be making their third appearance and first since 2018. They have been successful in both events, grabbing second place in 2016 before losing just two games for fifth place in 2018.
Türkiye will have the added benefit of playing at home, where the country has traditionally excelled - finishing second at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 and FIBA EuroBasket 2001 as well as winning the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2014 and taking second place at the same age group in 2022. Türkiye will be led by their backcourt combo of Kaan Onat and Derin Can Ustan. But players like Gengiz Coskun and Yavuz Kara will need to step up.
USA
Group B - Best result: 1st place in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022
United States are not only the six-time reigning champions but the Americans have never lost a game in the previous six tournaments dating back to 2010. USA rolled through the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2023, winning by an average of 64.0 points. Every team figures the 2024 title will go through USA and would prefer to avoid the Americans as long as they can in the knockout stage.
The champs have so much depth in terms of talent. Brothers Cameron and Cayden Boozer are looking like future stars while the team is also highlighted by FIBA U17 World Cup 2022 All-Star Five member Koa Peat as well as AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson among much much more.
FIBA