SAN FRANCISCO (USA) - Côte d’Ivoire are new to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup landscape but they will be arriving in Istanbul with the confidence of an established nation.
I think we have strong competition, but if we qualified for this World Cup, It means we have the level.
"We want to be champions," Jean-Philippe Oka said about the team's expectations in Türkiye this summer.
Oka took home Most Valuable Player honors after leading the young Elephants to the title at the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025. He averaged 16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists. 2.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game as they won their first cadet continental crown and thereby booked their first ticket to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.
"It's a historic moment that will stay in the history books forever, and I'm really happy to be part of it," said Oka. "It means a lot to me, and it's the result of many years of hard work."
Oka collected 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals in the Final - a 62-49 win over Cameroon - who also reached their first-ever FIBA U17 World Cup.
"I have a lot of memories. Like the day of the Final when a few hours before we were all dancing and singing in a teammate's room. That was one of my best memories," Oka recalled.
Côte d'Ivoire had been building up their program, appearing in the fourth consecutive U16 AfroBasket. But this was the first time the country had even reached the Semi-Finals as well.
Oka's journey took a major step when he moved to the USA and left his family behind in Côte d'Ivoire. He moved from Abidjan to San Francisco, saying goodbye to his two sisters, his dad and his wife - a shift he called the toughest moment he's had to face thus far.
But he progressed more and more and ended up making his FIBA debut in Rwanda last summer at the U16 AfroBasket. And now he will be playing for his country at the U17 World Cup.
The Elephants will not have an easy task as they were drawn into Group D with Australia, Serbia and Venezuela.
"I think we have strong competition, but if we qualified for this World Cup, It means we have the level, so I think everything will be fine," Oka said with confidence.
The team's opening game will see history whoever wins as both Côte d'Ivoire and fellow newcomers Venezuela will be playing their first-ever game.
"We're very excited for this game, and I think we can beat them, but we need to prepare well," he said.
When asked what he would consider a successful U17 World Cup, Oka said: "First, to help my team win and then to be the best player in the tournament."
No one can say that Oka lacks in confidence - even if Côte d’Ivoire are playing on the global stage for the first time.
FIBA