MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on My Mind) - The FIBA U18 Asia Championship is set to be one of the most star-studded and talent-laden, and here are my ten picks as the tournament's players to watch.

Kody Stattmann (Australia)

It's not everyday one finds a player who averages 31 points per ballgame, and that's exactly what makes Stattman special. The Queensland native has made quite a name for himself as an explosive scorer, tallying a total of 155 points across five games in the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship 2017. Stattmann was so dominant his lowest-scoring performance was putting up 23 points in the Final against New Zealand.

Wang Quanze (China)

More popularly known as Michael Wang, this 6ft 10in (2.08m) kid is the only US-based player in China's U18 national program. He played for Mater Dei High School in 2017-2018 and is set to debut for the University of Pennsylvania in the US NCAA Division 1's 2018-2019 season. Wang, who was rated as a 3-star recruit, is expected to be a force for China, who are aiming to return to the throne after missing out on the top 4 in 2016.

Jonah Morrison (Chinese Taipei)

The 6ft 8in (2.03m) Morrison missed out on the FIBA U16 Asia Championship in 2015 because of injury, but he managed to play solid ball in the FIBA U17 World Championship 2016, averaging around 4 points and 3 rebounds. He turned more heads in the FIBA 3x3 U18 Asia Cup last year, though, as Chinese Taipei made it all the way to the Final. He gives the Taipei quintet a solid interior presence, but it's his athleticism and outside shooting that are making Taipei fans salivate over his upside.

Sejin Mathew (India)

The Indians have always paraded hulking centers at the youth level, but this time around it may actually be 6ft 6in (1.98m) wingman Sejin Mathew who will steal the show. The Kerala native is known for his high basketball IQ and his athleticism, and along with twin towers Princepal Singh and Harsh Tomar, the NBA Academy India product may just make the U18 Young Cagers a dark horse for the Quarter-Finals.

Amirhossein Rezaeifar (Iran)

The 6ft 7in (2.00m) Rezaeifar is the only player on Iran's team who was on the squad that won the FIBA U18 Asia title in 2016. He was instrumental in that victorious run, averaging 13 points, 12 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in the Semi-Finals and Final. Now two years the wiser, Rezaeifar should be an even tougher mark for Iran's prospective foes. Look for him to be among the team's leaders in efficiency as they gun for back-to-back crowns.

Shuki Nakata (Japan)

At just 5ft 9in (1.73m), Nakata is certainly not going to be the most imposing player from the Japanese U18 team, but he surely has the most experience, having played on the country's youth teams since 2015 and being the only one on Japan's current roster who was around in the U18 Asia tournament two years ago and their U19 World Cup appearance last year. He can catch fire in a hurry from beyond the arc, so expect him to light up the scoreboard often in this year's competition.

Lee HyunJung (Korea)

Asian hoop nuts will remember HyunJung as one of the best scorers from the FIBA U16 Championship in 2015 and one of Korea's top guns in the FIBA U17 World Cup 2016. This is a kid who hit 2.4 triples per game at the U17 World Cup in Zaragoza two years ago, and he should be among Korea's main marksmen here in Thailand. If he can wax hot from long distance, it'll certainly make life easier for Korea's bevy of big men to score in the paint.

Gebrael Samaha (Lebanon)

Speaking of big men, look for Samaha to be among Lebanon's best options in terms of inside scoring. The 6ft 8in (2.04m) center missed the FIBA U16 Asia Championship earlier this year because of an injury, but he has recovered and should be a potent frontliner for the U18 Cedars in Group B. He averaged an impressive 12 points and 14 boards in the WABA U16 Championship 2017, and if he is in tip-top shape, then Lebanon will have a shot at finishing top two in their group.

Oscar Oswald (New Zealand)

At 6ft 7in (1.99m), Oswald is one of the most versatile players for the Junior Tall Blacks. He has the size to be a power forward while also possessing the skill-set to be a nightmare matchup on the wings. Based on his performance at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship 2017, the native of Palmerston North is going to be a major impact player for New Zealand here in Thailand, and his prospective matchup with Australia's own wingman wonder Kody Stattmann in Group C will definitely be one to watch.

Ariel John Edu (Philippines)

Everyone and his mother has heard of Kai Sotto bannering the Philippines, but let's also not forget that forming a very imposing twin tower combo with Sotto will be Filipino-Nigerian Ariel John Edu, who exploded on the international stage during the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup last year. The 6ft 11in (2.10m) forward-center is long, agile and athletic and will take his talents to the US NCAA Division 1 this coming 2018-2019 season. Don't be shocked if Edu ends up among this tournament's leaders in rebounds and blocks as the Philippines aim for nothing less than a podium finish.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.