CHOLET (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - Killian Hayes believes U16 European champions France are not scared to be among the favorites at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018, where the point guard would love to go up against the United States.

After winning the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017, France will be playing at the U17 World Cup for the fourth time in a row. And they have gradually produced better results, taking 10th place in 2012, eighth in 2014 and sixth in 2016.

As Hayes will be teaming up with the likes of Theo Maledon and Malcolm Cazalon, France are legit contenders to reach the U17 podium for the first time.

"It's going to be a great tournament and a great opportunity for us to compete against the best in the world so I'm sure every one of my teammates is excited for this opportunity," Hayes said. "We are going to be among the favorites as we won the European Championship but we aren't scared to be among the teams that can reach the medal spots."

France have been drawn into Group D with hosts Argentina, Croatia and Philippines.

"We want to make the best out of the competition and try to win a medal, maybe more," said Hayes, who was named the MVP of the U16 European tournament. "We want to keep being successful and keep winning medals and titles. This group of players is ambitious and winning last year was a great achievement. We want to keep pushing our limits."

"WE ARE GOING TO BE AMONG THE FAVORITES AS WE WON THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP BUT WE AREN'T SCARED TO BE AMONG THE TEAMS THAT CAN REACH THE MEDAL SPOTS."Hayes

 As they head into the competition with a podium finish on their minds, it's no surprise that the French are thinking about the United States - the team that has not yet lost in the tournament's relatively short history, going on unbeaten title runs in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016.

But Hayes has his eyes set on the USA for another reason - namely because he was born in Lakeland, Florida in 2001.

"It would be so great to play against the USA," Hayes admitted.

The 6ft 5in (1.95m) playmaker was quick to say there are 14 other teams in the tournament who also want to win the title in Argentina.

"We won’t be focused only on one team, but on every team we will play against. In a competition like this one, at the world stage, everyone wants to play at its highest level so every team is going to be very competitive," said Hayes, who turns 17 in late July. "We will play every game as if it is a final. Any team is going to be dangerous to play against."

Since winning the U16 European title last summer, Hayes has been special. He appeared in nine games this season in France’s Pro A top flight for Cholet, averaging 2.2 points, 1.2 assists and 0.6 rebounds in nine minutes of action, including a 12 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds against Le Mans on May 15. For Cholet's U21 team, Hayes averaged 16.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals.

"Things have been going very fast but I'm enjoying the process. I have a lot of responsibilities with the U21 Cholet team and I'm learning very well despite being only 16 years old," said Hayes, who was the MVP of the U21 league. "I feel that I'm a better player now and I'm happy with how things have been going."

His last competitive game in a France jersey was a big one. He collected 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists in France's win over Montenegro in the U16 European Final - in Montenegro's capital Podgorica.

"That was intense but an experience that I will never forget. Playing against an entire crowd is unique, and you have to handle very well your emotions even if you are young and don’t have any experience," said Hayes, who averaged 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.7 steals last summer. "You have to play and not pay that much attention to what is around you. We did a great job playing the same way we did during the previous games and we won that game. We achieved something huge and we won’t ever forget that entire experience."

And now Hayes and France are ready for a whole new experience at this summer's U17 World Cup.

FIBA