Did you know Curry, Bogut and Jokic played at FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup?

CAIRO (FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017) - The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup dates back to 1979 and a number of great players have shined over the course of the first 12 editions. Here is a rundown of some of those players who showed U19 fans a glimpse of the future greatness to come.

JJ Barea

Barea started his international career with a bang by leading Puerto Rico with 27 points a game to go with 5.9 assists at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2003, where the Puerto Ricans finished sixth. Barea had a long senior national team career, playing at two FIBA Basketball World Cups and three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments while also finishing second at FIBA AmeriCup 2013 and third at FIBA AmeriCup 2007.

Nicolas Batum

Batum was an all-around star for France at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2007, where France last reached the podium in third place. He averaged nearly 12 points and 6 rebounds to go with 4.3 assists. Batum went on to win the FIBA EuroBasket 2013 after finishing second in 2011 - playing at his first of two Olympics between those tournaments. Batum also played at two FIBA Basketball World Cups.

Andrew Bogut

Bogut had one of the best FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup performances of all time in 2003 as he averaged 26.2 points and 17 rebounds - including 39 points and 25 rebounds against Croatia in the Semi-Finals - as Australia won their only U19 crown. Bogut played in the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament 2004 the next summer - the first of three Olympic tournaments for Bogut, whose international career has been limited by injuries.

Steph Curry

Curry was still little-known Stephen Curry and not one of the greatest of all times. But the 19-year-old Curry did play a major role in the United States reaching the final of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2007 with 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Curry has since played twice more for USA Basketball in winning the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2010 and 2014.

Pau Gasol

Gasol claimed his first global hardware at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 1999 when he and Juan Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes and Co. became Spain's Golden Generation with their only U19 crown. Gasol went on to win two silvers and a bronze at the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament, claimed the title at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 and three FIBA EuroBasket crowns in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

Nikola Jokic

Jokic was a bit slower to develop but showed glimpses of future stardom at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2013, where he helped Serbia get to the final with 7 points and 5 rebounds a game. The big man eventually became a star in the NBA with almost regular triple-doubles. That led him to making the Serbian senior national team for the first time last summer, going through the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament to win the silver medal at the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament 2016 in Rio. 

Stephon Marbury

Marbury flashed his scoring prowess for the United States at FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 1995 with 17.5 points and 3.9 assists - though the Americans slumped to a seventh place finish. Marbury would have to wait nearly a decade to play again with USA on his chest as he played at the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament 2004.

Dario Saric

Saric twice averaged double-doubles at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup - both in 2011 and 2013. Croatia finished eighth in both tournaments but that didn't stop Saric, who finished second in scoring, rebounds and assists at Prague 2013. Later in 2013, Saric guided Croatia to the FIBA EuroBasket Semi-Finals. He also helped Croatia to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament 2016.

Klay Thompson

Thompson showed early on his willingness to play a certain role on a winning team as he helped end the United States' 18-year title drought with the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2009 crown. Thompson took his spot atop the podium at the senior level twice since then - winning the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and taking gold at the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament 2016 in Rio. 

Jonas Valanciunas

Valanciunas gave Lietuva fans a very good reason to travel to nearby Latvia to watch the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2011, where the big man won the MVP trophy in leading Lithuania to their only U19 crown with a monster double-double average of 23 points and 14 rebounds. Valanciunas made his senior national team the same summer at FIBA EuroBasket 2011. He has since played at two Men's Olympic Basketball Tournaments, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and helped Lithuania to second place at the FIBA EuroBasket 2015.

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