AMMAN (Jordan) - We're down to eight teams in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024, which means that we've seen some great performances by the rising stars who have made their way to get here.
Here's a look at some of the top players so far - one from each of the Quarter-Finalists:
Jacob Furphy (AUS)
Not easy to single out a player who has stood out a typical well-balanced Emus who have beaten their opponents by 52.7 points per game. Still, Furphy makes it a bit easier with the way he torched Lebanon for 28 points - the most by an Australian player in a U18 Asia Cup ever.
Jack Whitbourn leads the team in rebounds (9.3 per game) and Mason Honeyman (11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game) has been solid all around, but for the sake of this exercise, we're highlighting Furphy for now. But don't be surprised if Whitbourn or Honeyman (or even the likes of Dash Daniels and Nash Walker) steals the spotlight in the Final Phase.
Leon Watanabe (JPN)
The numbers already speak volume with 15.5 points on 70.0 percent field-goal shooting to go with 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. But Watanabe is doing more than just piling up the counting numbers and being more than just "another Watanabe" in the Japan basketball talent pool.
He's been turning heads with how impressive he operates, especially in the paint, giving Japan the dimension they need in the shaded area. Watanabe took over against the Philippines to get to the Quarter-Finals.
Tama Isaac (NZL)
The junior Tall Blacks came into this one missing out the service of injured prized prospect Julius Halaifonua, but they didn't have to sweat too much.
Enter Tama Isaac, who has been ballin' for New Zealand during their undefeated run so far. At the end of the Group Phase he was top three in scoring (18.3 points per game, 2nd) and assists (6.3 per game, 3rd) while also being among the top 10 in rebounds (8.3 per game). The consistency has been impressive as well, as he's scored at least 16 points, grabbed at least 7 rebounds, and passed out 6 assists in each game.
Amirmahyar Keramati (IRI)
He's usually one of the smallest players on the court, but Keramati plays big - or at least tough.
The 1.80M (5'11") guard has 2.0 steals per game while also leading Iran in scoring (16.3 points) and assists (4.5 per game) and grabbing 4.3 rebounds per contest.
Did we mention he's shooting 54.2 percent from the three-point line with 6.0 attempts per game - making at least 2 three-pointers in each contest? Because he is.
Jongyun Yang (KOR)
We're stuck here in a similar situation with Australia (see above) where Korea have been solid in winning games relatively easy enough to balance out the player's playing time and offensive workload. They have seven players averaging at least 10 EFF while no one is averaging over 24 minutes per game and averaging at least 10 minutes per contest.
But still, let's give a shout out to Jongyun Yang who is averaging 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per contest. Solid work.
Saif Saleh (JOR)
There might not be another player who has done as much as Saif Saleh has to put his name on the map at this year's U18 Asia Cup.
Sure, he scored 35 points (tied tournament high) in an overtime win against Qatar to make a historic trip for Jordan to the Quarter-Finals, while also grabbing 14 rebounds… that alone should have been enough for fans to take notice.
But he's also leading the entire competition in rebounds (13.3 per game) while scoring 20.3 points per contest and shooting 43.8 percent from downtown.
He's making his dreams a reality while turning his opponents realities into nightmares.
Boyuan Zhang (CHN)
Zhang took the least amount of time among players to get himself an early lead to be on this list as he dropped 17 points in just the first quarter of China's first game.
He's been in line with what his scouting report looked like coming into the competition, as in terms of being expected to shoot at an elite level for this China team. He's averaging 18.3 points on 58.8 percent field-goal shooting and 47.1 percent three-point shooting so far.
Make sure you also get to know more about Boyuan Zhang here.
Mohammad Ishan (IND)
Many had counted India out of making it to the Quarter-Finals, but don't look now - they are back for the first time since 2016. This would have been a lot more difficult if they didn't have have Mohammad Ishan patrolling the paint, where he has swatted away 2.3 shots per game.
Ishan's role on offense is a bit limited, but his defense (also 1.5 steals per game) and rebounding (10.0 rebounds per game) has been huge for India.
FIBA