SAMSUN (FIBA Europe Cup/FIBA U18 European Championship 2016) - Two of the youngest FIBA Europe Cup prospects, Nanterre 92 shooting guard Bathiste Tchouaffe and BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque playmaker Adam Mokoka, have taken a short mid-December break from club basketball to represent France in the 2016 FIBA U18 European Championship in Turkey.

Considered among the top prospects in their age category, the two French 18-year-olds are also two of the youngest players to step on the court in the FIBA Europe Cup this season and will be the only ones to get a chance to play for their country in Samsun.

After being thrown into the deep end of the pool in the FIBA Europe Cup, it wasn't an easy transition for the talented youngsters. In his two games so far, Tchouaffe has averaged 3.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 2.5 turnovers, while Mokoka's numbers were even more modest across three games.

Nevertheless, the opportunity to rub shoulders with more experienced players on the international stage will be an advantage for the pair when they go up against their same generation.

Having triumphed in the 2014 FIBA U16 European Championship two years ago in Latvia, France will once again be among the main medal contenders in the upcoming tournament in Turkey, with most of the key players returning.

Back then, Tchouaffe was one of the key players for Les Bleus and was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 20.9 minutes per game in the gold-medal run. Meanwhile, Mokoka averaged 4.6 points, 2.9 boards, 0.9 assists and 1.0 steal.

After being rescheduled earlier in the year, the FIBA U18 European Championship in Samsun will take place from 16-22 December 2016.

FIBA