Yahya Basaran reveals his NBA dream as the Australian centre shines at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup.

Australian centre Yahya Basaran studies men’s basketball superstar Nikola Jokic and is a fan of near-seven-footer Kevin Durant’s ability to score the ball – it’s also his ambition to play in the NBA.

Basaran, 17, is the man in the middle for the Australian Crocs at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Türkiye this week. The Crocs face Canada in the quarter-finals tonight at 7.45pm (AEDT). The game is streamed live on YouTube.

“Ultimately, my biggest goal is to play in the NBA,” Basaran said.

“Before that, I’d like to go to college in the United States.

“If I had to name an NBA player I look up to, I’d say Kevin Durant. I really admire his shooting ability and the fact that he can do so many different things on the court.

“At the same time, I study Nikola Jokić’s footwork. That’s something I really try to learn from.”

Basaran is averaging 8.0 points (64%), 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 assists in 18 minutes for the 4-0 Australians.

He was dominant in Australia’s blow-out win against Serbia in the Round of 16.

15 points7 rebounds2 steals2 blocks7-of-9 shooting (77.8%)20 efficiency rating in 22 minutesYahya Basaran at the 2026 FIBA Under-17 World Cup

Game
MIN
PTS
FG
2PT FG
3PT FG
FT
OREB
DREB
REB
AST
PF
TO
STL
BLK
+/-
EFF

vs Serbia — Group Phase
22
15
7/9
77.8%
7/9
77.8%
0/0
1/2
50.0%
2
5
7
0
3
3
2
2
21
20

vs Côte d’Ivoire — Group Phase
14
4
2/7
28.6%
2/7
28.6%
0/0
0/0
8
4
12
1
1
1
0
0
-12
11

vs Venezuela — Group Phase
16
8
3/4
75.0%
3/4
75.0%
0/0
2/4
50.0%
1
3
4
2
1
2
0
2
13
11

vs Slovenia — Round of 16
21
8
4/5
80.0%
4/5
80.0%
0/0
0/0
3
2
5
1
0
0
1
2
27
16

Average
18.0
8.8
4.0/6.3
64.0%
4.0/6.3
64.0%
0.0/0.0
0.0%
0.8/1.5
50.0%
3.5
3.5
7.0
1.0
1.3
1.5
0.8
1.5
12.3
14.5

Total
72
35
16/25
64.0%
16/25
64.0%
0/0
3/6
50.0%
14
14
28
4
5
6
3
6
49
58

“I think I played well over the last two or three games,” he said.

“I did the best I could, and especially in the game against Serbia, I thought we played really well.

“Tournaments like this are a great stepping stone for what’s next.

“They help us on the path toward our future goals, especially because they let us experience a higher professional level. We understand the standard of play much better, and competing in these games really helps us improve.”

Basaran said the Crocs’ goal at the World Cup was simple.

“We want to win a medal,” he declared.

“So far, I think we’re having a really good tournament as a team, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.

“Personally, I just want to play as physically as I can and show everyone how much I’ve improved. As a team, we’re very happy, and I’m proud of this group.

“The Serbia game, in particular, was a really good performance.

“Nobody is trying to play individually. We play as a team, we share the ball, we play physically, and we’re really happy with how we’re performing.

“We’re excited for the games that are still to come.”

Basaran shoots a jump hook against Côte d’Ivoire in Group D. Photo: FIBA.com

Basaran plays for the Centre of Excellence in NBL1, and he said it continues to prepare him for the next level.

“At my club, I play as a centre and power forward, and I’m training and playing with some of the best players in Australia,” he said.

“Every day I’m getting better, and that’s showing in my performances. Whether it’s my footwork or my finishing around the basket, I’m improving in every area.

“It has been a really important step towards achieving my goals.

“As I said, you’re playing with the best 12 players in the country, and you’re competing in Australia’s second-highest league.

“That experience is helping me improve every single day.”

Season
Team
GP
MIN
PPG
REB
APG
BPG
SPG
TPG
FG%
FT%
FGM
FGA
3PM
3PA
PF

2026
Centre of Excellence
18
10.2
3.3
3.1
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.7
47.1%
85.7%
1.3
2.8
0.0
0.0
1.1