AMMAN (Jordan) - It has only been two years since the last FIBA U18 Asia Cup was held, yet some from that meet have seen tremendous leaps in their careers.
For sure, there will be more to come from that 2022 batch and the following could, without a doubt, serve as inspirations for how far they have come since showcasing their capabilities during the previous tournament held in Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Amini Iran
Mohammad Amini was one of the 2022 U18 Asia Cup's best players as he helped Iran to a Quarter-Final run behind averages of 19.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, and he would go on to show that he can be as effective in the senior level.
A part of French club AS Monaco, the 2.01 M (6'7") winger stepped up in the absence of key players for Iran in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. He emerged as their top-scorer with 13.2 points, together with 4.6 boards in 29.3 minutes of play.
Yang Hansen China
More fans outside of Asia took notice of Yang Hansen for his solid play with China in the 2024 NBA Summer League, but some were no longer surprised of the attention he garnered as he's long proven himself in the youth basketball scene.
Seen by pundits as a disciple of Nikola Jokic, the (7'1") center was part of the 2022 U18 Asia Cup All-Star Five together with Amini, MVP Lee Ju-yeong and Lee Chae-hyung of champions Korea, and Yuto Kawashima of runners-up Japan.
Yang would continue his fine play in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup the following year. He earned All-Second Team honors as he led the tilt in rebounds and blocks, finishing with 12.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 5.0 blocks.
The 19-year-old has since become part of the Chinese seniors team and there should be no doubt that he'll become one of its pillars in the near future.
Mason Amos Philippines
The Philippines swept their way to the Quarter-Finals in the Iranian capital and a major reason behind that run was sweet-shooting forward Mason Amos.
He was actually the tournament's second-best scorer behind eventual Tournament MVP in Lee with 21.2 points, which he laced with 5.8 rebounds. And that very stint proved enough to punch a ticket to the Gilas Men team mere months later.
Still in the collegiate level in Manila, the 2.01 M (6'7") forward played in the 2023 World Cup Asian Qualifiers twice, and was part of the crew that flew to Latvia for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where they reached the Semi-Finals.
Yuto Kawashima Japan
Kawashima made his Japan men's team debut during the first FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers window last February against Japan, which some fans have actually been waiting for some time after serving as one of the youth program's top guns.
As mentioned above, the 2.00 M (6'7") wingman was part of the All-Star Five and that's because of his efforts in helping his side reach the gold medal game through per-game norms of 15.6 points and 10.1 rebounds, alongside 2.2 assists.
By being one of the top four teams of that tilt, the young AKATSUKI JAPAN earned a berth in the 2023 U19 World Cup, which was Kawashima's second stint in the said tilt. Not often do we see players compete in a youth-level World Cup, but he did twice.
He's currently honing his skills in Australia as part of the famed Centre of Excellence, proving yet again the quality of Japanese athletes in general.
Harsh Dagar, Lokendra Singh, India
Team India have been trying to build their program for the future and the youth players have so far been proving themselves worthy to be part of that.
Take for example the duo of Lokendra Singh and Harsh Dagar. After spending some time in the youth level, including of course the last U18 Asia Cup, both have since been called up for the men's team and played in major tournaments.
Singh and Dagar were teammates during the 2023 World Cup Asian Qualifiers for four outings. The latter would earn another gig with the seniors squad shortly after in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Syria, appearing in five games.
FIBA