TOKYO (Japan) - Chuson Jack Shiratani will be coming to Istanbul for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 with more experience than likely all other players in the tournament. And he hopes to use the lessons he's learned from those events to help Japan win games in Türkiye.
Shiratani only turned 17 in late April but he is already a well-known talent in Asian basketball. He played at his second FIBA U16 AsiaCup last summer and also played at the FIBA U18 AsiaCup 2024.
"I've experienced a lot in the past three years. In every situation (this summer) I have to communicate with the players and to move the team in the right way and push the team to win as a leader," said Shiratani.
The forward also in April played at his second Albert Schweitzer Tournament - a biennial U18 global event held in Mannheim, Germany.
"Last time I was the youngest guy on the roster, but this time I'm part of older guys, so I know a lot of players on the team. I'm just always trying to compete with them," said Shiratani, who averaged 12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in the 2026 edition.
He remembered the opportunity of playing against Australia at the 2024 Albert Schweitzer Tournament, the team that won the event with stars such as Rocco Zikarsky.
"Last time we played against Australia and a player from Australia who is playing in NBA right now, so I could compete against those top players. Now I'm trying to be like them," he said.
Shiratani was one of Japan's biggest stars at last summer's U16 AsiaCup, collecting 16.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists as the country finished fourth to qualify for their first FIBA U17 World Cup since 2022.
"This is a great opportunity for my future basketball career. I just want to do whatever it takes to help my team win," said Shiratani.
Japan have registered 1-6 records in each of their previous two FIBA U17 World Cup appearances in 2014 and 2022.
"We couldn't win many games in the World Cup in the past. I just want to show why Japan basketball is there and that we want to win," he said.
Japan's efforts will not be easy in Istanbul as they have been drawn into Group A with seven-time champions United States, two-time podium finishers France and 2024 runners-up Italy.
"I'm very excited. Every game I just want to challenge them and do whatever we can do," he said.
"We are undersized compared to those countries. Every game we have to work harder than them. Japan basketball is about a lot of running and we have to try to win every 50-50 ball. We have to execute those small details."
When asked what he feels the goal for the Japanese team is in Istanbul, Shiratani said: "We gotta win one game at least."
Even when the FIBA U17 World Cup ends, Shiratani does not expect his summer to be over. He fully intends on playing at his second FIBA U18 AsiaCup - at which he will still be a year younger.
"As a basketball player, age doesn't matter. I just want to play to win. That's what I have been doing and I just got to keep doing it," he said.
Shiratani knows that a top-four finish in the U18 Asia Cup will mean next summer he can play on the global stage one more time at the youth level at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027.
Where he would help his teammates from all the experience he acquires in Istanbul as well.
FIBA