MIES (Switzerland) - One of the beauties of every fresh cycle of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers is the explosion of young talent entering the big boys’ club.
From wide-eyed debutants to ‘seasoned’ twentysomethings already shouldering their national teams' burdens, here are, in no particular order, some 'Next Gen' stars to watch out for.
Dash Daniels – Australia
Birth Date: Dec 18, 2007 (17 years old) Height: 195 cm / 6'5"
The reigning Asia Cup 2025 three-peaters already boast of a bonafide young star in 22-year-old MVP Jaylin Galloway. Now they will be hoping Galloway will be boosted in the backcourt by 17-year-old Dash Daniels. The 195 cm / 6'4" Daniels already debuted for the Boomers in this year's continental showpiece, but he might be look forward to see some more playing time. With NBA caliber pedigree on his side - Dash is the younger brother of World Cup "vet" and Olympian Dyson Daniels - keep a keen eye on the play of this Melbourne United guard.
Youssef Khayat – Lebanon
Birth Date: Mar 11, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 205 cm / 6'8"
The 205 cm / 6'8" forward has long been eyed as the next big thing in Lebanese basketball and he hasn't disappointed so far.
Khayat impressed at the Asia Cup, finishing top three for the Cedars in points, efficiency, rebounds and blocks. With Lebanon facing Qatar both away and at home, the 22-year-old Khayat's all round contributions could prove vital in what promises to be two extremely close fought games.
Note: If you're watching Lebanon and Khayat play, also keep an eye on 20-year-old Jihad El Khatib. Yep, that Fadi's son.
Carl Tamayo – Philippines
Birth Date: Feb 13, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 203 cm / 6'8"
Tamayo is the 'oldest' on our list and one of the most experienced, having already played 2 Asia Cups (including appearances in the Asia Cup Qualifiers) and two Olympics Qualifying Tournaments. This will already be his second World Cup Qualifying run - and he was shortlisted to play on the World Cup 2023, too.
But he's still a young gun.
It's easy to forget that he's still only 24 - only two months off being youngest on this Philippines team (hello, Kevin Quiambao). The 203 cm / 6'8" has size and versatility that the Philippines need on the wing and we'll get to see all of that once again as Gilas goes up against against Guam on November 28. Will we get a Tamayo breakout game?
Abdullah Olajuwon – Jordan
Birth Date: Feb 11, 2004 (21 years old) Height: 195 cm / 6'5"
Our second ‘NBA pedigree’ prospect, the middle son of the great Hakeem Olajuwon proved his mettle in the Asia Cup, with vital clutch contributions. Unlike his towering father, young Olajuwon plays the guard position. As in the continental showpiece event, where Abdullah was joined by his younger brother Abdul Rahman, this time around, the responsibility to carry forward his famous surname will lie exclusively with Abdullah. So, naturally, all eyes will be on him as the Falcons take on Syria on November 27 and 30, more so if his famous father is spotted again in the stands.
Riku Segawa – Japan
Birth Date: Aug 14, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 183 cm / 6'0"
We're not even sure Segawa will make the final cut for this window, let alone see court action against the likes of Chinese Taipei, but we've seen what he can do and can't hope Hovasse will give him some burn.
The starting point guard at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024, 19-year-old Segawa carries all the hallmarks of a classic AKATSUKI JAPAN backcourt player. At the youth continental cup, he averaged a solid 14.4 points besides a third-best 5.3 assists to go alongside 3.6 rebounds per game. At 183 cm / 6'0", Segawa isn’t particularly undersized for his position, and might be able to provide backup relief to his senior colleagues if given the opportunity.
AC Yu – Chinese Taipei
Birth Date: Feb 14, 2002 (23 years old) Height: 180 cm / 5'11"
There is a lot of excitement in the air of the Chinese Taipei camp. Whether it is their momentum coming off a 5th place Asia Cup finish to the addition of Joe Lin to the talent pool, the fans have a lot to be optimistic about.
And of course, there's also AC Yu. The 23-year-old was one of the best collegiate players in Chinese Taipei before making the leap last year to become the first Chinese Taipei player to go abroad directly to Japan's B.League from the collegiate scene. He's held his own so far, which is why he has also represented Chinese Taipei in a total of 7 games across the previous Asian Qualifiers and Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Chinese Taipei's backcourt is loaded - but keep an eye out for when things heat up and coach Tucci wants to turn on the AC.
Maiar Albalbisi – Syria
Birth Date: Jul 31, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 184 cm / 6'0"
Another young prospect who completely flew under the radar at the Asia Cup, Albalsisi is fresh off competing in the West Asia Super League, putting up 11 points in just 19 minutes for Al Wahda SC against Al Riyadi. Add to that, the fact that he’s just 18 and already in the pros - and producing - tells you a lot about his potential upside.
Pranav Prince – India
Birth Date: Jun 19, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 200 cm / 6'7"
A familiar face on the highlight reels thanks to his elite athleticism, the 200 cm / 6'6" small forward is at the core of the Young Cagers’ ongoing rebuild. Prince’s outsized role on the Indian team is exemplified by him leading his side at the Asia Cup across all major stat categories – be it points, rebounds, assists and efficiency.
If India is to register its first ever World Cup Qualifiers victory after 16 straight losses dating back to 2017, it will require Prince to really step up and play like a king.
Junseok Yang – Korea
Birth Date: Dec 7, 2001 (23 years old) Height: 180 cm / 5'11"
After missing out from qualifying for the previous edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Korea will be looking to return to the pinnacle of global competition in 2027. With two high octane match-ups against China, there is no question of ‘slowly easing in’, for this talented East Asian side. While the primary scoring load will fall on Hyungjung Lee, Junseok Yang should be the glue that binds the offense.
The 180 cm / 5'10" guard led Korea in assists at the Asia Cup with 5.5 dimes per game on average. Expect a lot more dimes and dishes in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Abdulla Mousa – Qatar
Birth Date: Jun 26, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 188 cm / 6'2"
Maybe we're jumping the gun here. Or maybe we're jumping on the trend.
The young Mousa is the youngest player listed on the preliminary rosters of the teams playing in Window 1 at just 17-years-old and might not even get to play. But there are a lot of reasons that suggest he might see some action.
The 188 cm / 6'2" guard has shot the lights out at the youth level, averaging at least 20 points per game in both the U16 Asia Cup 2023 and U18 Asia Cup 2024. He's played against grown men, logging 8 games in WASL - Gulf League with Al Rayyan in 2024, scoring 6.8 points per game on average.
And with Qatar looking forward to the future to a home stand at the World Cup in 2027, it might make sense to see what the kid can do early on.
Mohammad Amini – Iran
Birth Date: Apr 26, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 201 cm / 6'7"
There might not be another player that is both as important to their team's success and as young than Amini - in the entire World Cup Qualifiers. That's not even a hyperbole.
Amini has averaged double-digit scoring all of his FIBA appearances so far, including the World Cup 2023 - where his 13.2 points per game also led Iran, all the while being just a teenager at the time. Yeah, maybe Amini is less of a young gun and maybe more of a young cannon or whatever large-sized firearm is appropriate as a comparison to his offensive firepower.
Jiahao Yu – China
Birth Date: Mar 18, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 221 cm / 7'3"
At just 22 years of age, already has a lot of mileage on his meter while taking quite an interesting path in basketball. He played at the high school level in the USA as Bronny James' teammate and returned to China to become Rookie of the Year in the CBA and play four All-Star caliber seasons before taking his talents to Spain, signing with Bilbao Basket just a few months ago.
That's all because he's flashed plenty of potential as a youngsters and not just because of his 221 cm / 7'3" frame. The Asia Cup 2025 silver medalist put his game on display with 7.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in Jeddah, which is why China fans are hoping to see more of him soon - maybe as early as Window 1.
The World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Games tips off on November 27 and will continue till December 1. Stream the action on Courtside 1891, with live games and on-demand replays. Blackouts might apply in certain territories.
FIBA