COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - USA will be going into the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 as the overwhelming favorites to capture title number eight in eight events. And top talents such as Nasir Anderson, Beckham Black and CJ Rosser are major reasons for that.
It would mean everything to put on that USA jersey again
The Americans have never lost a game in the cadet global competition, winning all 51 games dating back to the first edition in 2010. Wwith a trio of prospects like that on hand it’s hard to imagine anybody beating USA in Istanbul.
USA have been drawn into Group A of the competition alongside Italy, France and Japan.
Anderson, Black and Rosser played a major role in getting the Americans back into the U17 World Cup. They were leaders at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025, where USA went undefeated and won games by an average margin of 58.7 points.
"It was great playing with some great guys like Beckham Black, CJ Rosser, Marcus Spears - all those guys. Playing alongside them, seeing how they play, just getting to experience that travel and the USA U16 experience with them was great," Anderson said.
Anderson was named Most Valuable Player of the event as he averaged 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 3.5 steals per game. Despite his great performance last summer, Anderson is not taking anything for granted looking ahead to the training camp before this summer's U17 World Cup.
"It should be fun, but I'm taking every minicamp as if I'm not on the team yet. Going into minicamp with my head down, still battling for that spot and hoping that the opportunity comes," the point guard said.
Anderson would love to get the opportunity to play this summer in Türkiye.
"It would mean everything to put on that USA jersey again. Just lacing up with those guys and the same coaching staff, getting to experience that in a whole different country it would be just surreal," he said.
Black also starred at last summer’s U16 AmeriCup, averaging 6.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.3 steals per game including 9 points and 10 assists in the Final against Canada.
"I would definitely say [the U16 AmeriCup] was a great experience. That's what introduced me to international basketball
"Seeing all those teams, the refs, just everything. It was a great experience," the guard said.
Black joined Anderson in participating in a USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team minicamp last October, and it showed him once again how much competition there will be for the team this summer.
"Those mini camps are crazy. All the best guys around the USA. So it's a great experience going to those camps and just continuing to get better," he said.
Black said if he does make the squad for the June 27 - July 5 event, he expects to hoist the trophy.
"I don't think we're going to lose. I don't think we’re going in with a losing mentality. The plan is just dominate everybody in front of us," he said.
Black would have some extra motivation in Istanbul as it would be his second international podium with USA - one more than his older brother, the Orlando Magic forward Anthony Black, who won the title at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2022.
"It would definitely mean bragging rights. It would be a big accomplishment just to get one more than him, getting all that I can really," he said.
Rosser meanwhile was a force in the paint last summer in as he totaled 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, including 16 points and 10 rebounds in the Final.
"It was really good because I was doing it for the first time. I really enjoyed it because I was playing for my country and it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," the forward said.
Rosser was also part of the USA camp in October and said: "I felt way different from last year. I felt more confident, stronger. I went there with so little and I came back with so much more knowledge. That was really the main part I liked about it."
Rosser would value another chance to wear USA on his chest this summer.
"I am really looking forward to it, because it's in Türkiye. That would be my first time going there and having the chance to get another one. It would be nice," he said.
Staying humble and earning their spots for this summer is one thing that bonds Anderson, Black and Rosser. And then should they make the squad, another bond would be reasons USA are considered favorites.
FIBA