MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup has seen some of the best talent on the globe in the last 40-plus years since it began in 1979. But who are the biggest 50 names to play in the first 15 editions?

It was not easy but we have put together a list of 50 great names and are breaking it down into five articles. Here is the third installment with places 30-21.

Part I with Places 50-41
Part II with Places 40-31

30. Detlef Schrempf, Germany (1983)

Schrempf was Germany's leading scorer in 1983, pouring in 19.9 points per game in helping the country to a fifth place finish. The future FIBA Hall of Famer played at two Olympics (1984, 1992) and two FIBA EuroBaskets (1983 and 1985). Schrempf played 16 seasons in the NBA for Dallas, Indiana, Seattle and Portland and became the first European to be named an NBA All-Star (three-time selection in total) and was twice the NBA Sixth Man of the Year. He also played in the 1996 NBA Finals with Seattle - losing to Chicago.

29. James Worthy, USA (1979)

Worthy was one of the leaders of the USA team that won the first U19 World Cup in 1979 with 10.1 points per game, including 27 points over Yugoslavia. Even though it was the only time Worthy played for USA basketball, Worthy also played a part in the University of North Carolina winning the 1982 NCAA title and then was a major part of the Los Angeles Lakers' success, claiming three NBA championships over 12 seasons. He was also named among the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996 and the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. 

28. JJ Barea, Puerto Rico (2003)

Barea was the second-leading scorer in the 2003 edition of the competition with 27.0 points per game, including 35 and 32 points in two games against USA. He played from 2006 to November 2021 for the Puerto Rico senior national team, playing at two FIBA Basketball World Cups and was the leading scorer in 2014 at 22.0 points per game. Barea played 14 years in the NBA and won the NBA title in 2011. 

27. Vince Carter, USA, (1995)

Carter played a small role on the USA team that finished 7th in the 1995, averaging 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Carter would later help USA to a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics as the team's leading scorer, and he also took first place with Team USA at the FIBA AmeriCup 2003. "Half-man, half-amazing" was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1999 and is the only player in NBA history to play as many as 22 seasons and in four decades from 1999 to 2020. He is known as one of the most exciting players in world basketball because of his thrilling dunks, one memorable on at the 2000 Olympics over French big man Frederic Weiss. 

26. Zeljko Obradovic, Yugoslavia (1979)

Obradovic played a solid role on Yugoslavia's team in 1979, averaging 8.4 points per game. The point guard would go on to help Yugoslavia take second at the 1988 Olympics and win the FIBA Basketball World Cup 1990. He'd end up leaving his mark as a coach however, winning titles as Serbia's play-caller at the FIBA EuroBasket 1997 and World Cup 1998 and silver at the 1996 Olympics. He also has an immensely successful European club competition career. 

25. Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania (2011)

Valanciunas was named Most Valuable Player of the 2011 U19 World Cup after helping Lithuania to their only title. He led the tournament in scoring (23.0 points per game) rebounds (13.9 rebounds per game) and blocks (3.2 blocks per game), including scoring 36 points in the Final. The center also helped his Lithuanian generation win the FIBA U16 European Championship and FIBA U18 European Championship. Valanciunas has played at five FIBA EuroBaskets - taking second place in 2013 and 2015; as well as two FIBA Basketball World Cups and two Olympics. After being picked 5th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, Valanciunas has went on to play 11 years in the NBA for three teams.

24. Patty Mills, Australia (2007)

Mills was one of the leaders of an Australia team that finished fifth in 2007 with just one loss. The high-scoring guard averaged 14.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game during the run. Mills made his debut with the Boomers later that summer and appeared in two World Cups, averaging 21.3 points per contest in 2019 when Australia reached the Semi-Finals for the first time. Mills has also played at four Olympics, breaking through with the bronze medal in 2021 where he he scored 23.3 points per game. Mills has played 14 years in the NBA and won the title with San Antonio in 2014. 

23. Valeri Tikhonen, Soviet Union/Russia (1983)

Tikhonen (No. 9 in above photo) averaged 11.9 points per game as Soviet Union finished second in 1983. He carried Soviet Union to gold at the 1988 Olympics as well as second-placed finishes at the FIBA Basketball World Cups in 1986 and 1990, while also winning the title at the FIBA EuroBasket 1985. Tikhonen would later represent Russia and helped them to second place at the 1998 World Cup. 

22. Alexander Volkov, Soviet Union/Ukraine (1983)

Volkov helped Soviet Union finish second at the 1983 U19 World Cup with 6.1 points per game. The Ukrainian big man claimed the 1988 Olympic gold medal with Soviet Union; took second place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 1986 and 1990; and won the FIBA EuroBasket 1985. He played two seasons in the NBA with Atlanta and briefly came out of retirement in 1998 to play for the Ukrainian national team. Volkov was included in the list of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991 and is a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame. 

21. Rimas Kurtinaitis, Soviet Union/Lithuania (1979)

Kurtinaitis only played a minor role in 1979, totaling 19 points in 7 games. But the guard would go on to have a great national team career, winning gold at the 1988 Olympics for Soviet Union, with whom he also took second at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 1986 and the FIBA EuroBasket 1985 title. Kurtinaitis also took the bronze medal at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics with Lithuania and second place at the 1995 EuroBasket. He also has had club success as a head coach. 

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