(Way Too Early) Power Rankings for FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025
The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 field is now set after Mali beat Cameroon in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 Final. Let's take a look ahead and check out the way too early Power Rankings.
The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 field is now complete after Mali beat Cameroon in the Final of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 in South Africa and thereby grabbing the final two spots for the competition in Lausanne, Switzerland from June 28 to July 6.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the way too early Power Rankings for the competition.
Of course we have no idea which players will be playing for the teams can only speculate on who will show up in Switzerland next summer. But let’s give it a go.
Let’s start with the field:
Hosts:
Switzerland - The hosts will be making their debuts in the U19 World Cup, having played in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division A although they took sixth place in Division B in 2024.
Africa:
Cameroon - Africa will be represented by a debutant for a second straight edition as Cameroon took second place at the FIBA U18 AfroBasket and follow in the footsteps of Madagascar from 2023.
Mali - Mali, who have now won three of the last four U18 AfroBaskets, are back in the competition after missing out in 2023 to end a three-event run that included the magical run to second place in 2019.
Americas:
Argentina - The South Americans missed only one of the first 16 editions - 1987 - but have not reached the podium since bronze in 19991.
Canada - The North Americans have reached the Quarter-Finals in the last six events, winning the crown in 2017 and taking third in 2021.
Dominican Republic - Welcome back to the U19 World Cup to the Americas side as Dominican Republic make their second appearance following 2015.
United States - The only country to appear in all 17 competitions, USA are the record champs with 8 golds - to go with 3 silvers and 1 bronze. But the Americans finished just fourth in 2023.
Asia:
Australia - The 2003 champs are back after missing out in 2023 due to political unrest keeping them from going to the FIBA U18 AsiaCup 2022 - only the second time they missed the U19 World Cup.
China - China are going back-to-back at the U19 World Cup for the first time since a three-edition run from 2011 to 2015.
Jordan - The Asians are back on the global stage for the second time following 1995.
New Zealand - New Zealand return to the U199 World Cup after missing the last two editions.
Europe:
France - The French have finished third, second and second in the last three tournaments and would love to finally grab the title.
Germany - The U18 European champions ended a drought dating back to 2017 for just their second appearance since 1987.
Israel - This will be the first time on the global stage at this event for Israel.
Slovenia - The Balkan side have reached back-to-back U19 World Cups after having only participated before in 2003.
Serbia - The 2007 champs will be playing in this event for the fourth straight time and eighth in the last 10 competitions.
Without further ado … here the rankings:
16. Jordan
As good as Saif Al-Deen Saleh may be, Jordan goes into their first U19 World Cup as the biggest favorite to finish last. It’s hard to imagine the Asians will not get overwhelmed in Switzerland.
15. Cameroon
Another U19 World Cup debutant, Cameroon will stay in games because of their ability to play defense. But the Africans lack the offensive firepower. Still, they often could have the most dominant player in the game in the person of center Amadou Seini.
14. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s best trait is their fight and determination as the roster lacks depth of top talent. Danny Carbuccia and Lucas Morillo are two excellent guards but the Americas side is missing size. Unless the Dominicans can find some more bigs, they will have some trouble in Switzerland.
13. Switzerland
Many observers might want to put Switzerland lower down these rankings but they might end up a few spots higher when it’s all said and done. Many of Switzerland’s top players are playing abroad with Dayan Nessah being one of the best - as long as he can avoid being injured. Having Theo Chaney would have been nice but the former Swiss U16 national team guard has switched nationalities and is playing for Côte d'Ivoire at FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024. But Switzerland will be a competitive team.
12. China
China are another team that could end up being higher but other teams rank ahead of them at the moment. The combo of Boyuan Zhang and Sinan Huan is really nice but the question is how much support they will get at the highest level. That uncertainty is the biggest reason China are not higher.
11. New Zealand
New Zealand went undefeated at the FIBA U18 AsiaCup 2024 until losing to Oceania rivals Australia by 63 points in the Final. Still, the Tall Blacks chopped down all takers before that, including China by 15 points in the Semis. Tamatoa Isaac and Carter Hopoi were the leaders and this group will be boosted by some of the leaders from the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024, where Oscar Goodman, Hayden Jones, Troy Plumtree and Jackson Kiss led the Kiwis to a historic fourth place.
10. Argentina
Some might be surprised to see Argentina this high in the Power Rankings but that is a testiment to their two leaders Felipe Minzer and Tyler Kropp. That along with the assumption that someone will step up to help these two in Switzerland. The South Americans have a strong mentality and that should be worth a big win or two in Lausanne.
9. Mali
Mali at ninth? Yep, let’s shoot big here. They have the experience as many of their players have already competed in multiple FIBA events, and there is the history of the country finishing second in 2019. This group does not have the same of top level guys but the Africans have strong talent with the Spain-based trio of Traores - Youssouf, Amadou and Mamadou. There is also Sekou Bagayoko, who shined in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 Semi-Finals. But the key to Mali’s success will be Ibrahim Doumbia. Can the point guard lead them against the best in the world?
8. Canada
Canada just reach the Quarter-Finals - currently a streak of seven straight editions. But there are major questions about what this team will look like in Switzerland. Tristan Beckford, Spencer Ahrens, Jaion Pitts and Efeosa Oliogu were the leaders of the team at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024, but Canada could also choose to bring the likes of Paul Osaruyi, Jordan Charles, Miles Sadler and Stefan Ilic from the team at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024.
7. Slovenia
Over the years, one lesson that has been taught has been to not underestimate Slovenia. So let’s get ahead of that and put the Europeans in the top eight. They beat Spain, Lithuania and Israel en route to third place at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024. Urban Kroflic is a force for the team but they also have Zak Smrekar and Vit Hrabar. Remember, don’t underestimate Slovenia. You have been warned.
6. Israel
Israel might be making their U19 World Cup debut but don’t think they will be intimidated. The country has been emerging as a strong force in Europe and this group has one of their next superstar talents in Ben Saraf, who will be much much better next summer after playing in Germany for ratiopharm ulm. And remember, he was the shocking MVP of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024. But this Israel team is much more than just Saraf. Omer Mayer is a great scorer and strong playmaker, Yaron Goldman and Rany Belaga can hurt teams and Joul Karram has long term potential inside. That being said, if Saraf is not on hand because of the 2025 NBA Draft, then Israel will fall quite a bit in the rankings.
5. Australia
Australia did not have their two biggest stars for the FIBA U18 AsiaCup 2024 - Rocco Zikarsky and Roman Siulepa and they still rolled to the title. Zikarsky seems very doubtful for the U19 World Cup given he is expected to be drafted. That means the likes of Siulepa, Jacob Furphy, Emmett Adair, Jack Whitbourn and Dash Daniels will have to get the job done.
4. France
France could be absolutely loaded and be perhaps the favorite for the title. Or they could have a number of players unavailable - for example, Nolan Traore and Noa Essengue for the 2025 NBA Draft. Will those two play? There will be Jonas Boulefaa, Talis Soulhac, Yannis Allard, Hugo Yimga, Nathan Soliman, Talis Soulhac, Maxence Lemoine, Leon Sifferlin among others. Will the U19 team be a mix of 2006 and 2007 born generations? There are a lot of questions at this point.
3. Serbia
Serbia will undoubtedly be one of the toughest teams to beat in Switzerland. Just think about the likes of Savo Drezgic, Mitar Bosnjakovic, Andrej Kostic, Aleksa Dimitrijevic, Milos Sojic, Ognjen Srzentic and Aleksa Stanojevic. There are bound to be a couple more players who rise up during this season and will make the Serbs even tougher.
2. Germany
The U18 European champions - it’s still hard to believe Germany are world champs and U18 European winners - have loads of weapons and cannot be taken lightly. They have multiple playmakers who can score - Christian Anderson, Jack Kayil and Ivan Kharchenkov; versatile forwards in Declan Duru, Fabian Kayser, Jervis Scheffs, Amon Dörries, Joel Cwik and Nico Kodjoe; excellent bigs with Hannes Steinbach and Eric Reibe.
1. USA
It is anybody’s guess who will be playing for USA in Switzerland as the U19 World Cup is one of the hardest teams for USA Basketball to fill. The elite of the elite are either entering the NBA Draft or preparing for their freshman season at one of the top colleges in the country. Even many of the second tier of USA stars are not available. That all being said, USA Basketball will still put together a strong group of players and the number one ranking is more the benefit of the doubt. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the USA team includes some of the leaders from this past summer’s FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 title-winning team - including Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Koa Peat. Many past U19 teams have featured players from the previous summer’s U17 team. But the Americans will undoubtedly be on a mission to reclaim the title after their fourth-placed finish in 2023.
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