AHMEDABAD (India) - Another edition of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup is upon us and that also means another opportunity for fans and observers alike to watch players that could grow into stars in the near future.
So, here are some of the talents to watch out for in the August 13-23 showpiece. These potential stars were picked either from the team’s rosters for the competition or from when they played in the Sub-Zone Qualifiers.
Yahya Basaran, AUS
Australia are leaning on size in their title defense and one of those expected to lead the way is Yahya Basaran, who should easily be one of the tallest players in this year's competition as he stands at 2.14 M (7'0").
But more than the height, the 17-year-old slotman from the Centre of Excellence shall be a mismatch for the other teams, given his experience garnered from the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 in Türkiye.
There, he posted per-game averages of 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocked shots in 20.1 minutes, helping the Crocs take home the bronze medal by outlasting the host nation, 77-69, in the Third-Place Game.
Somto Patrick, Hassan Abdulkadir, BRN
Bahrain's very promising tandem are running it back. Somto Patrick and Hassan Abdulkadir are headlining the Gulf team's delegation to Ahmedabad, looking to make some noise in their first U18 Asia Cup appearance.
These two, in case you've forgotten, were undeniably dominant during the FIBA U16 Asia Cup last year in Mongolia, helping the program return to the Quarter-Finals to end a wait that lasted for 12 long years.
Somto and Abdulkadir finished the tournament with double-double averages. The former posted 22.3 points alongside 14.8 rebounds, while the latter tallied the same amount of points together with 15.7 boards.
Can they replicate those numbers in the U18 ranks?
Li Junxian, CHN
Li Junxian played a key role in China's conquest of the EABA Qualifiers last June in Japan, making him an interesting big man to watch out for.
Someone who operates effectively from the post, Li finished the tournament with averages of 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.25 blocked shots in 21 minutes in four games, in which China finished with a 3-1 record.
Chuson Jack Shiratani, JPN
Not often do we see players get touted as youth team mainstays but Chuson Jack Shiratani should fit the bill. That's because he's bound for his second U18 Asia Cup, as he leads Japan in the Ahmedabad showpiece.
After making his debut in the U16 Asia Cup in 2023, the 1.94 M (6'4") forward would become a regular in youth teams, and along with it came the increase in his roles which he repays by giving quality minutes.
But it was the U17 World Cup last June 27-July 5 that proved to be his coming-out party. He finished as one of the event's best scorers with 23.9 points, on top of 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 steals in seven games.
We wouldn't be surprised if he does the same - or produces better - in Ahmedabad.
Yoon Jiwon, KOR
Korea's quest to regain the gold medal they last won in 2022 will continue this year and seen to show the way for the East Asian contenders is Yoon Jiwon, who turned a lot of heads during the EABA Qualifiers.
He ended the contest as its top scorer with 25.5 points on 46.0-percent shooting. But he was more than just a bucket-getter, as he also collected 7.75 rebounds, 2.75 assists, 2.25 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game.
His best game actually happened against eventual champions China. Although they lost, Yoon proved to be a headache to their rivals defensively as he punched in 31 points - spiked by 3 treys - and 6 rebounds.
Are we going to see another potential star from Korea?
Johnny Sawma, LBN
The best scorer of last year's U16 Asia Cup is back for his second tour of duty in the U18 Asia Cup. Johnny Sawma is set to lead Lebanon again, hoping of course to replicate his exploits in their aim to achieve big things.
And expectations are high on this crafty guard. After riding the bench during the 2024 U18 Asia Cup, his production increased by leaps and bounds the following year, beginning in the U16 Asia Cup WABA Qualifiers.
Then came the U16 Asia Cup proper in Mongolia wherein he upped the ante, finishing the tourney as its scoring king with 27.8 points on 53.1-percent shooting accuracy from three-point distance.
Sawma also had 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists to his name, and proved himself effective on the defensive end as well after averaging 3.5 steals in 36.1 minutes of action with the young Cedars.
Chog Moral, PHI
You've probably seen him mostly on social media, but Chog Moral is more than just the flashy highlights. He's a legitimate floor general who offered glimpses of his on-court wits during the SEABA Qualifiers last June.
The 1.81 M (5'11") guard was second in assists with 6.4 and led the tilt in steals with 3.0 a game. He also netted 6.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, as his all-around play ultimately helped the Philippines take home the gold anew.
In fact, he was crucial in the Final against Thailand. Moral registered 10 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals - all without a turnover - as Gilas Youth rolled past Thailand, 85-70, to complete a 5-game sweep of the meet.
Abdulla Mousa, QAT
A major foundation of the team Qatar have been building for the FIBA Basketball World Cup they're hosting in 2027 is likely to be back for another go-around in this year's U18 Asia Cup in Abdulla Mousa.
It should go without saying that the second-generation hooper is one of the most anticipated talents of the upcoming tilt, given the experiences he's gained from other parts of the globe over the past few years.
Aside from being part of the Qatar men's team, Mousa has played in Basketball Without Borders camps twice, with 2026 his most memorable yet as he won the Three-Point Contest in the BWB All-Star in Los Angeles.
Will we witness his best basketball in the games ahead?
FIBA