BROOKLYN (United States) - Wendell Moore Jr. - winner of gold at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 with USA - was one of four players in the 2022 NBA Draft with past U17 World Cup experience.

Moore was chosen 26th overall by the Dallas Mavericks - and later traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves - after three seasons at Duke University. Moore averaged 8.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 19 minutes per game at the 2018 U17 World Cup. His top showings in Argentina were 13 points and 7 rebounds versus Dominican Republic in the Round of 16 and 12 points against Croatia in the Quarter-Finals.

Wendell Moore (13) celebrating with his USA teammates - and many fellow NBA players

Moore joins in the NBA his 2018 U17 teammates Jalen Green, Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Isaac Okoro, Isaiah Stewart, RJ Hampton and Vernon Carey Jr that have all been drafted before 2022. A grand total of 9 players that won the gold are now NBA players.

Two Canadians selected in the 2022 NBA Draft also have experience at the U17 World Cup.

Caleb Houstan playing at the 2018 U17 World Cup

Caleb Houstan played two years younger and helped Canada to fourth place at the 2018 edition, averaging 5.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 11 minutes in four games. Houstan left the University of Michigan and was picked 32nd by the Orlando Magic.

Andrew Nembhard playing in 2016 in Zaragoza

Compatriot Andrew Nembhard went one pick earlier - No. 31 to the Indiana Pacers - after playing last season at Gonzaga University. Nembhard averaged 5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 steals in 2016, where Canada took fifth place. Besides the U17 World Cup, Nembhard participated in the 2017 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in New Orleans.

Luke Travers competing at the U17 World Cup in 2018

The other player with U17 World Cup experience drafted was Luke Travers, who went No. 56 to Cleveland after spending last season with Perth Wildcats. Travers was Australia's second-leading scorer (12.9 ppg) and rebounder (7.3 rpg) while finishing tops with 3.1 assists for a Crocs side that ended in sixth place in 2018.

FIBA