ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - Lots of words have been written about the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 and the first game is just around the corner. We know, we know ... this is what you all want to see: where does my team stack up in the Smart Power Rankings?
Well, here you go, Volume 1 of the Smart Power Rankings.
Who are the top prospects this year?
The Top 20 prospects at the U17 World Cup - #10-1
The Top 20 prospects at the U17 World Cup - #20-11
16. Philippines
The Philippines do have a legitimate threat in Kieffer Alas but the team lacks the size to face some of the big nations around the world - a fact of which opposing teams will take advantage. The Asians also do not really shoot the ball well from the outside.
15. Egypt
Egypt have traditionally struggled in this competition and they don't have an easy group with Australia, Canada and Germany with a strong Group C with which to crossover including Argentina, Italy, New Zealand and Türkiye. The Africans do have some decent talent - such as Ali Assran, Omar Soudy and Youssef Elhalawany. But can they win big games internationally.
14. China
China have two really intriguing leaders with Boyuan Zhang and Sinan Huan but there is not a lot of help for them. One possible positive of being in the massively challenging Group B with France, Guinea and USA is the Chinese will be battle-tested when the knockout stage starts.
13. New Zealand
New Zealand will probably be disappointed about being down here but a bit of this is unluck of the draw, facing a balanced group and then a tough Round of 16 matchup. But the Oceania side has a trio of strong players in Lachlan Crate, Oscar Goodman and Hayden Jones, and this prediction could look bad in about a week.
12. Guinea
Guinea are debuting in this competition and will certainly be excited to play and have a huge game to start with - against China. The FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2023 champions have a very top-heavy squad with Gassim Toure, Araphan Diane, Mohamed Toure and Sekou Toure - who all played 30 minutes per game last summer. They must have a bit of help from the bench to surprise people in Türkiye.
11. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico grabbed third place the last time they played at this event in 2018 and the Americas side does feature an absolute dynamic talent in Felipe Quinones. But this team will need the trio of Vincent Stewart, Luke Cruz and Jayden Colon to hold their own around the basket.
10. Türkiye
The home fan support is the biggest reason this Türkiye team is as high as it is as the crowd will definitely push the team. The hosts do have a pair of good guards in Kaan Onat and Derin Can Ustun but there is not a lot of help otherwise.
9. Germany
Germany might be disappointed with this prediction but it does mean they won all three of their games after losing in the Round of 16. Germany are missing two point guards but there is still some fine talent in the person of Declan Duru, Fabian Kayser, Clemens Sokolov and Jervis Scheffs.
8. Argentina
Argentina will finally get back to the Quarter-Finals, not finishing in the top eight since taking sixth place in 2012. The South Americans are led by the dynamic duo of Tyler Kropp and Felipe Minzer, who starred in helping Argentina take second place at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024 earlier this month. The team could used a strong tournament from Ivan Prato and point guard Martin Torriani.
7. Canada
Canada have a traditionally bad history with Quarter-Finals games - losing in three straight from 2012 to 2016 and then taking ninth place in 2022. Paul Osaruyi will be the Canada's top player for sure but they will have other talent including Quinten Ethier, Patrick Anamali and Miles Sadler.
6. Australia
Australia just play really solid team basketball while Dash Daniels adds that something extra the Crocs need. Harrison Beauchamp, Ryder Cheesman and Indy Cotton are the next grouping of players who can help lead the team to wins. The Oceanian powers will also play hard until the end no doubt.
5. Lithuania
Lithuania can never be underestimated and even though this team might not have elite talent, Arturas Butajevas and Dovydas Buika do a great job leading the group. And the rest of the team really knows how to fulfill their roles and do what is needed of them.
4. Italy
Italy were the somewhat surprise second-place finishers at last summer's FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 until you look at the talent the team possesses. It is really a three-headed leadership group with Diego Garavalgia, Maikcol Perez and Adrian Mathis. But Matteo Accorsi and Achille Lonati are deadly three-point shooters who can create a lot of space around the basket.
3. Spain
Spain come to the FIBA U17 World Cup as European U16 champions from last summer with a team that just screams out system basketball. Even their leaders Gildas Gimenez and Guillermo Del Pino are not necessarily special. Alberto Blanco and Ian Platteeuw will be needed to play well and Daniel Balde is a big who can pass the ball a bit.
2. France
France took third place in 2022 and second place in 2018 and would love to challenge for another podium finish, and the team definitely has the talent. Hugo Yimga and Nathan Soliman are the headliners but Jahel Trefle is an athletic specimen around the basket and Jonas Boulefaa does not get enough attention for what he can do.
1. USA
USA are the world champions until someone knocks them off their throne. And it doesn't look like any team has a chance to do that in the seventh edition either. USA has breathtaking depth of elite talent and athleticism - led by AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Tyran Stokes and Koa Peat. But the USA coaches will make sure the players' egos were left back in the United States as their only mission is the title - and anything else would be a major shock and drama.
*The power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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