The tournament, which runs from June 27 to July 5 in Istanbul, will see 16 nations compete for global honours, with Australia drawn into a challenging Group D alongside Serbia, Venezuela and C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire.<\/p>\n
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READ MORE: NBL salaries revealed in report including league\u2019s big five who earn the most<\/a><\/p>\n Led by head coach Greg Vanderjagt, the Crocs enter the tournament with a talented roster featuring several players who helped Australia claim gold medals at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup and U17 Oceania Championships last year.<\/p>\n FIBA U17 World Cup Roster:<\/p>\n Andrew Watene<\/p>\n Born: 15 Aug 2009<\/p>\n Height: 185 cm (6\u20190\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Guard<\/p>\n Program: Queensland State (AUS)<\/p>\n Luke Paul<\/p>\n Born: 20 Feb 2009<\/p>\n Height: 198 cm (6\u20195\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Guard<\/p>\n Program: Cairns Taipans (AUS)<\/p>\n NBL Next Stars Luke Paul joins Cairns. Picture: NBLSource: News Sport Network<\/p>\n Tom Dammers<\/p>\n Born: 27 Mar 2009<\/p>\n Height: 187 cm (6\u20191\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Guard<\/p>\n Program: Victoria State (AUS)<\/p>\n Josh McCann<\/p>\n Born: 29 Jul 2009<\/p>\n Height: 196 cm (6\u20195\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Forward<\/p>\n Program: Victoria State (AUS)<\/p>\n Antonio Browne<\/p>\n Born: 20 Sep 2009<\/p>\n Height: 193 cm (6\u20193\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Forward<\/p>\n Program: Centre of Excellence (AUS)<\/p>\n Antonio Browne in action for NSW Metro at the 2024 Basketball Australia Under-16 National Championships. Picture: Bruce MediaSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n Lucas Byrne<\/p>\n Born: 20 Nov 2009<\/p>\n Height: 192 cm (6\u20193\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Forward<\/p>\n Program: Victoria State (AUS)<\/p>\n William Hamilton<\/p>\n Born: 26 Apr 2009<\/p>\n Height: 196 cm (6\u20195\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Forward<\/p>\n Program: Centre of Excellence (AUS)<\/p>\n William Hamilton in action for Victoria Country at the 2025 Basketball Australia Under-18 National Championships. Picture: Taylor EarnshawSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n Riak Akhuar<\/p>\n Born: 22 Nov 2009<\/p>\n Height: 200 cm (6\u20196\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Forward<\/p>\n Program: Victoria State (AUS)<\/p>\n John Aryang<\/p>\n Born: 18 Jun 2009<\/p>\n Height: 195 cm (6\u20194\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Forward<\/p>\n Program: Western Australia (AUS)<\/p>\n WA Metro’s John Aryang during the Basketball Australia Under-18 National Championships. Picture: Jade GlassonSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n Yahya Basaran<\/p>\n Born: 29 May 2009<\/p>\n Height: 214 cm (7\u20190\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Centre<\/p>\n Program: Centre of Excellence (AUS)<\/p>\n Alex Mabbott<\/p>\n Born: 1 Mar 2009<\/p>\n Height: 206 cm (6\u20199\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Centre<\/p>\n Program: Spire Academy (USA)<\/p>\n Alex Edwards<\/p>\n Born: 4 Jul 2009<\/p>\n Height: 198 cm (6\u20195\u201d)<\/p>\n Position: Forward<\/p>\n Program: Western Australia (AUS)<\/p>\n The squad boasts a blend of size, versatility and skill across all positions. Rising star Luke Paul headlines the back-court alongside Andrew Watene and Tom Dammers, while versatile wing Antonio Browne and athletic forward Riak Akhuar provide length and flexibility on the perimeter. Australia\u2019s frontcourt depth is anchored by players including John Aryang, Josh McCann, Lucas Byrne, Ahmet Yahya Basaran, Alex Mabbott and Will Hamilton.<\/p>\n CHASING GOLD<\/p>\n This is the eighth edition of the FIBA U17 World Cup since its introduction in 2010, with Australia aiming to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 campaign that ended in 15th place.<\/p>\n BOGUT FINED: NBL hands down major sanction for Aussie hoops great after explosive feud with 36ers owner<\/a><\/p>\n The Crocs\u2019 best results came with back-to-back silver medals in 2012 and 2014, teams that featured future Australian stars such as Ben Simmons, Dante Exum, Fabijan Krslovic, Dejan Vasiljevic, Kouat Noi, Jack White, Isaac Humphries and Harry Froling.<\/p>\n DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – AUGUST 16: Dejan Vasiljevic of Australia in action during the FIBA U17 World Championships Final match between Australia and the United States of America at the Hamdan Sports Complex on August 16, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Australia enters this year\u2019s tournament ranked sixth and is well placed to progress beyond the group stage. They sit in Group D alongside C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire (23rd), Serbia (2nd) and Venezuela (15th), with Serbia expected to be their toughest challenge.<\/p>\n Group D:<\/p>\n Australia (6)<\/p>\n C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire (23)<\/p>\n Serbia (2)<\/p>\n Venezuela (15)<\/p>\n While traditional powerhouses like the United States remain strong favourites, Australia will back themselves to make a deep run, particularly with a squad stacked with promising young talent and international experience.<\/p>\n For many of the Crocs, this tournament is a chance to perform on one of the biggest stages in junior basketball and continue Australia\u2019s strong history of producing elite-level players for the global game.<\/p>\n SCHEDULE AND WHERE TO WATCH<\/p>\n Game One: vs. Serbia<\/a><\/p>\n Saturday, 27th June, 9:45PM (AEST)<\/p>\n Game Two: vs. C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/a><\/p>\n Sunday, 28th June, 7:30PM (AEST)<\/p>\n Game Three: Venezuela<\/a><\/p>\n Wednesday, 1st July, 12:30AM (AEST)<\/p>\n All Group Stage and Round of 16 games will be live and free via FIBA YouTube<\/a> Channel.<\/p>\n