MIES (Switzerland) - The calendar is quickly nearing June 28, meaning the tip-off of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025. The teams are in training camp; the players are dreaming of representing their countries and hoisting the trophy; and the world is waiting to get a glimpse of the future stars of the game.
With all that in mind, here are 10 reasons to get excited about the FIBA U19 World Cup 2025.
10. Group of Death
Once the draw came out it was clear, Group D was definitely the Group of Death. The record eight-time winners United States were put together with 2003 champions Australia, a France team that has won medals in the last three tournaments and a talented debutant in Cameroon.
Every game should be a battle and it would not be a shock to see all four Group D advance to the Quarter-Finals.
9. State of Swiss basketball
Global basketball will have its sights set on Switzerland without a FIBA Basketball World Cup or Olympics and the Europeans will be making history as they compete in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the first time. The world will get a chance to see where Swiss basketball stands.
And young Swiss players will have plenty of chances to be inspired with Clint Capela and Kyshawn George on hand as ambassadors while former 14-year NBA vet Thabo Sefolosha and other FIBA personalities will make appearances. The Swiss team also last summer picked up their best-ever finish in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket, Division B with sixth place.
8. What will African teams show?
The best result by a team from the continent from 1979 to 2019 was 11th place - done five times. Then came Mali in 2019 when Oumar Ballo and Sirimane Kanoute helped make history with a second-placed finish - the best-ever result for an African team at a FIBA event.
Senegal followed that up two years later by finishing seventh at the FIBA U19 World Cup 2021. Egypt and Madagascar took 13th and 14th place, respectively in Debrecen in 2023. Mali are back in the tournament and Cameroon are making their debut. Can they give African basketball another major milestone?
7. Can Serbia end 12-year medal drought?
Serbia are one of just eight countries to have hoisted the FIBA U19 World Cup trophy - winning in 2007 - and are the only other country besides United States to collect three first or second place finishes. But their two appearances in the Final date back to 2011 and 2013. The current Serbian group will be shooting to end the country's 12-year medal drought.
And there is plenty of talent to get it done. Guards Andrej Kostic, Savo Drezgic and Marko Tofoski will lead the way along with Aleksa Dimitrjevic and Milos Sojic.
6. Big men will tower over Lausanne
If you are watching the FIBA U19 World Cup and it seems like every team has a 7-footer you aren't that far off. There are some really high level centers coming to Lausanne and almost all of them should make an impact.
Ahead of the final roster announcements, here is a list of the 7-footers who should be in Switzerland: Eric Reibe (Germany), Amadou Seini (Cameroon), Rocco Zikarsky (Australia), Aleksa Dimitrijevic (Serbia), Sinan Huan (China), Julius Halaifonua (New Zealand), Olivier Rioux (Canada) and Daniel Jacobsen (USA).
5. Who is next up for France?
The world will be anxiously awaiting which stars France will be bringing to Switzerland, especially after the last two FIBA U19 World Cups. The 2023 NBA Draft No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama was two years younger than the rest of the competition in 2021 but still starred and helped the country finish second. Two years ago, the France squad had Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, who about a year later would be selected first and second in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 2024 second round draft pick Melvin Ajinca was also on the 2023 team.
This time around, the biggest names for the France team will be Noa Kouakou-Heugue, Thomas Bassong, Talis Soulhac, Yohann Sissoko and Mohamed Diakite. We'll see if they can follow in the footsteps of those stars from the last two FIBA U19 World Cups.
4. Can Germany keep it up?
Germany are not only the reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champions but the country is experiencing its strongest push ever at the youth level. The 2006 and 2007 generation three summers ago won the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2022, Division B. A strong core of that team then took third place at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2023 - Germany's first-ever U18 continental medal. History was made last summer when the generation then claimed their maiden continental title by winning the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024.
Now, star guard Christian Anderson and co. are aiming for the country's first U19 World Cup podium finish.
3. Koa Peat shooting for history
United States have long been the power of international youth basketball, having never lost a game at a FIBA U16 AmeriCup or FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. And they have won eight of the 16 FIBA U19 World Cups. American star forward Koa Peat has a chance to etch his name in history books as the first player to win three FIBA Youth World Cups. Peat is already the first player to lift two FIBA U17 World Cup trophies.
And many American players have won both the FIBA U17 World Cup and FIBA U19 World Cup. But Peat can top them with a third title.
2. Dybantsa and other stars of tomorrow today
So many superstars have graced the court at the FIBA U19 World Cup since its inception in 1979. That tradition will continue this summer and basketball fans will get a glimpse of a number of tomorrow’s stars today. The player pool in Lausanne will be headlined by USA forward AJ Dybantsa, who is being considered as the number one pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. He was one of the superstars from the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 and he will shine again for USA in Lausanne.
Looking through various mock drafts for the 2026 NBA Draft, here is a selection of other players who have been prognosticated as first round picks next summer: Dybantsa’s USA teammates Chris Cenac, Mikel Brown, Koa Peat, Morez Johnson and Malachi Moreno as well as Australian guard Dash Daniels and France forward Noa Kouakou-Heugue.
1. Can anyone keep USA from winning No. 9?
United States will not be the defending champions when the FIBA U19 World Cup 2025 tips off on June 28 in Lausanne. Spain took the title in 2023 but did not qualify for the 17th edition of the event. A USA team loaded with the biggest stars from the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 champions will be on a mission to get the Americans back atop the podium for a record ninth time.
Can anybody keep them from reclaiming the trophy?
FIBA