MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 is just days away and teams will soon be making their way to Türkiye. Before the action tips off in Istanbul, let's look at which players have the best chances of winning the Most Valuable Player award at the closing ceremony.
Who will follow in the footsteps of USA star Cameron Boozer, who carried his country to the title in 2024 and went home with the award as the best individual performer.
We looked through which countries have the best chances to hoist the trophy on July 5 and then selected who could leave Türkiye with the MVP award.
#10 Lun Jarc - Slovenia
Slovenia last summer broke through and reached the podium of the FIBA U16 EuroBasket for the first time with a third-placed finish. That booked their second ticket to FIBA U17 World Cup following 2022. The Balkan side is not particularly deep but they have some strong high level talent. And the leader of that group is Lun Jarc.
The versatile wing excels at both ends with his long frame and excellent skillset which helped him be named to the All-Star Five last summer. If Slovenia can surprise the field and top the podium, Jarc will have played a great tournament.
#9 Aaron Towo-Nansi - France
Towo-Nansi has already become a household name among basketball fans in Europe, having played in the Basketball Champions League last season with Cholet Basket. That came after he helped France win the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024 despite being a year younger. The point guard repeated the cadet level last summer and helped France fight through and get a top-five spot.
That gives the French a chance to compete again at the FIBA U17 World Cup, and Towo-Nansi's playmaking, scoring ability and tough defense will be a major asset for France. The guard will also benefit greatly from the tutelage from former France star guard and new head coach Tony Parker.
#8. Luke Paul - Australia
Paul was named the Most Valuable Player at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025 as Australia won their fourth straight continental title. Paul was unstoppable at the Asian level and has already become a major name back home as he became the youngest talent to sign with the NBL Next Star program.
The good-sized and versatile point guard will play next season with the Cairns Taipans. But before that Paul will look to lead the Crocs back to the podium, somewhere they haven't been since back-to-back second place finishes in 2012 and 2014.
#7 Beckham Black - USA
USA are the clear favorites and it's not easy to pick which players will be the leaders of this team. But Black will undoubtedly play a major role in Istanbul. The younger brother of Anthony Black from the Orlando Magic is a true pass-first point guard who thrives on setting up his teammates.
In addition to being a menace on defense, Black also can pick his moments to score. At the same time, he has no problem with scoring 2 points while also collecting 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals - like his stats line in the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025 Semi-Finals against Puerto Rico. He finished with 6.7 points per game to go with 2.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.3 steals.
#6 Omer Kutluay - Türkiye
Türkiye have traditionally been very strong at home in national team events but another key to those successes has been having good players. And the U17 World Cup hosts will have one of the top players in the entire event with Kutluay. The son of former legend Ibrahim Kutluay is a true leader from the point guard spot.
Not only can Omer set up for others, he is also a scoring machine who can put the ball into the basket in a variety of ways. If Türkiye go deep into the Knockout Phase, Kutluay will be a major reason for that.
#5 Isaiah Hamilton - Canada
Canada are hungry to finally return to the podium - and actually would love to dethrone USA again this summer after beating them in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2026 Final. Canada lost to USA in the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025 Final and Hamilton was not available after getting injured in the Semi-Finals.
The Canadian team is loaded with talent but Hamilton is the real leader. The wing can score in so many different ways: inside, outside, above the rim and on the break. But he also plays tough defense thanks to his excellent athleticism. Hamilton will be hungry to make a name for himself on the global stage and winning the MVP would go a long way in doing that.
#4 AJ Williams - USA
Williams just missed a double-double in the last three games of the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025 and he used the performance to boost his confidence, turning himself into the number one player in his high school class. The forward dealt with the expectations of that status with flying colors with a great all-around game at both ends, beating players on the wing and going to the basket as an elite scorer. He also can create for others and defends very well.
At the same time he stayed humble and knows how to fit into any role a team needs. Williams could very well be the one holding the MVP trophy when it's all said and done.
#3 Nathan Soliman - France
France head to Istanbul dreaming of leaving Türkiye with the trophy and if that happens then Soliman will be a major reason for that. Soliman joins Egyptian Ahmed Khalaf and Koa Peat of USA as the third player to appear in two FIBA U17 World Cups, and the forward already played a key role two years. Soliman is a mismatch nightmare with his ability to playmake and handle the ball on the wing with his great size and length. At the same time, he also can play down low with a nice mix of moves.
Defensively, he destroys opponents' offensive gameplans with his ability to play inside and outside. Soliman can defend any position on the court and protects the rim. On top of all that, Soliman will be extra motivated from losing in the Round of 16 to Puerto Rico in last year's event and finishing ninth.
#2 Nikola Kusturica - Serbia
Serbia are European U16 champions and will be ready to show they can take down any team - including USA. Kusturica was named MVP of the cadet championship last summer and already debuted with Barcelona's senior team this past season. The guard is the ultimate Swiss Army Knife as he can do anything - and do all of those things well. He can shoot, drive, handle the ball, playmake and play above the rim on offense.
At the other end, Kusturica's length and athleticism make him a menace on defense, both guarding opponents on the wing or helping with rim protection. Serbia know they have a chance to become the first country besides USA to leave the U17 World Cup with the trophy, and Kusturica is the number one reason for that.
#1 Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje - USA
USA have loads of talent as always but Boumtje Boumtje is definitely a unique player even for the Americans. The son of former NBA player Ruben Boumtje Boumtje has the body of a center - tall, massive and long - but the skill-set of a small forward. He can handle the ball, shoot from the outside and pass like a wing but also has an array of moves around the basket that makes him impossible to contain. Boumtje Boumtje, who will be making his FIBA debut in Istanbul, also can use his strong body to defend opposing centers and forwards. And he possesses the game understanding to be a good rim protector and an excellent rebounder. Boumtje Boumtje is the kind of difference maker that should help the Americans hoist the trophy for an eighth time.
*The MVP Ladder rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate FIBA ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author and the purpose is to entertain the fans.
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