LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - We have talked the talk, writing probably thousands of words about the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025. And the first games tip off on Saturday June 28 in Lausanne. Now it's time to walk the walk.
This is what you all want to see: where does my team stack up in the Smart Power Rankings?
Well, here you go, Volume 1 of the Smart Power Rankings.
16. Jordan
Jordan ended a 30-year drought to make the FIBA U19 World Cup but the Asians will be hard served to really leave a mark on the tournament. They do have a nice tandem in Saif Al-Deen Saleh and Rawhi Kilani and the youngsters will be inspired by having legendary former internationals Sam Daghlas and Zaid Abbas on the coaching staff.
But they lack a depth in talent to threaten most teams. We'd love nothing more then for them to prove us wrong.
15. Switzerland
Switzerland will be making their debut and while they are placed at 15th in the Smart Power Rankings, there is some solid talent on this team with the likes of Dayah Nessah, Lucas Namiema and Dario Cokara. What is lacking is big game experience - and actually for some of the main players playing time this past season.
The main goal for this team will be to play hard and inspire future generations of youngsters in the country.
14. Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic always play hard and that toughness will be on display as the Americas side returns to the FIBA U19 World Cup for the first time in 10 years.
The Dominicans will be led by the duo of Danny Carbuccia and Lucas Morillo, but do they have enough to really compete for a top-eight spot?
13. Israel
Israel is another debutant and the country is thrilled to be on the global stage, but they are clearly missing their best player - Ben Saraf. Still, the likes of Omer Mayer and Rani Belaga give the country a nice duo of scorer and playmaker.
Size could be a major issue while the team looks to step up their game across the board.
12. Mali
Mali are back in the tournament after missing the 2023 edition and the country has more depth in talent as well as more of those players competing abroad - many of them in Spain.
Youssef Traore and Sekou Bagayoko will be entertaining to watch, but they face a strong challenge in the group stage and then probably an even tougher showdown in the Round of 16.
11. China
China have been working for months on their team and giving them as many different looks as they can in terms of opponents. The Asians have a nice trio of stars in Boyuan Zhang, Jacob Zhu and Sinan Huan.
But they face a real challenge in the group stage and then will have a big fight on their hands in the Round of 16.
10. Argentina
Argentina have the excellent duo of Tyler Kropp and Felipe Minzer, both of whom played at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 and the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024 - the latter reaching their first Final since 2008.
The South Americans have a couple of other interesting pieces, but a major battle in the Round of 16 might be too much. But this team has the perfect profile to be the surprise of the event.
9. New Zealand
New Zealand have probably the best junior team in their history and they will be challenged in the group stage. Tama Isaac, Oscar Goodman and co. have a tough as nails approach and will be a tough team to beat.
But can they win in the Round of 16 and make history with their best-ever result in this competition?
8. Cameroon
Cameroon will have an entirely different look from the team that reached the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 and locked up a spot at their first FIBA U19 World Cup. The coaching staff scouted the world looking for possible Cameroon talent and they will be a much better team than the continental tournament.
Cameroon also will benefit greatly from a group stage with Australia, France and USA and should be battle-tested for when the Round of 16 comes up.
7. Slovenia
Slovenia youth national teams have become known for playing with great chemistry and that leading to strong results. The overall quality of the players has improved meaning as long as they can maintain that chemistry, the performance could be even better.
The likes of Urban Kroflic, Mark Padjean and Vit Hraber should be enough for the Europeans to reach the top eight.
6. Canada
One of the unwritten rules in the FIBA U19 World Cup is that Canada reach the Quarter-Finals - registering a top-eight showing in the last six events. But they only have collected wins twice in the Quarters - when they took the title in 2017 and when they finished third in 2021.
That game remains the toughest in history for Canada and can they win at that stage again?
5. France
This France squad don't necessarily have the star power from past FIBA U19 World Cups. But no team should ever count out France, who have shown an incredible depth in talent across the board.
This tournament will serve as an opportunity for many of these players to shine on a stage they may otherwise not have had the chance of playing. If they make it to the Semi-Final round, this will not be a shocker, especially with Rudy Nelhomme at the helm.
4. Australia
Australia are given the fourth spot in the Smart Power Rankings even though they are most likely without Rocco Zikarsky, who is in New York preparing to be picked in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The center would be a major boost to the team's chances, but players like Dash Daniels, Jacob Furphy, Roman Siulepa and Che Brogan are still a force to deal with.
3. Serbia
Serbia's only FIBA U19 World Cup crown came in 2007 and the last of back-to-back second place finishes was back in 2013. But this is a strong group from the Balkans who will be looking to finally get back on the podium.
Savo Drezgic, Andrej Kostic and Aleksa Dimitrijevic really gives this team a trio of excellent leaders.
2. Germany
Germany are back on the global stage for the first time since 2017, when they finished fifth. And this German group must be considered a title favorite right alongside the United States after they won their maiden FIBA U18 EuroBasket last summer.
Christian Anderson, Eric Reibe, Hannes Steinbach, Jack Kayil and Declan Duru make up a tremendously talented group of leaders, and it's still unclear if Germany will have the services of Ivan Kharchenkov, who was playing in the German league Finals with Bayern Munich. Germany have a variety of ways to beat teams - inside, outside, fast, slow - and they also are deep. It would not be a surprise at all if the German national anthem is playing at the end on July 6.
1. USA
United States are on a mission to get back to the top of the podium after missing out all together on the top three in 2023. The Americans are record eight-time champs and have to be considered the favorites. They have seven players back from the team that blasted the competition in record fashion at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024, including AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes and Koa Peat.
The other five players won the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024 competition. So this will be a loaded team that must gel quickly as they have strong basketball nations Australia and France in the group.
Disclaimer: The Smart Power Ranking is not an official statement from FIBA. It is created solely to enhance the experience of the fans following the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025.
FIBA