LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - Hundreds of players have used the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup as a springboard to eventually make the NBA and have a successful career. Every junior global showcase sees stars shine in front of fans from around the world. And the 2025 edition in Lausanne promises to have plenty of more future NBA stars.
We went through the rosters of the 16 teams to come up with a Top 20 of prospects for the tournament and came up with this list.
Hopefully this list gets you excited about the up-coming tournament starting on June 28.
20. Jacob Furphy - Australia
Jacob Furphy is a jack of all trades who does all of them well enough, so it should be of no surprise that many in Australia are comparing him to Joe Ingles. Furphy knows how to score the ball and can do so despite a lack of supreme athleticism. He understands the game and has good passing and playmaking skills.
And the forward does his part at the defensive end as well.
19. Oscar Goodman - New Zealand
Oscar Goodman will come to the FIBA U19 World Cup without a lot of playing time this season. The forward was with the NBA Global Academy until January 2025 and then went to University of Michigan but did not play with the team. Goodman did practice with the Wolverines but agreed to redshirt for the rest of the season and will be a freshman in the fall. Goodman starred at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 and was named to the All-Star Five.
He can play around the basket and finish at the rim but also takes his game outside from beyond the three-point stripe. Goodman also rebounds the ball well and is a solid passer.
18. Sekou Bagayoko - Mali
Mali have loads of athletic talent at the forwards and center positions but they also have a fun guard in Sekou Bagayoko who knows how to light up the scoreboard. Bagayoko has a strong build and will be playing two years younger than the rest of the competition as a 2008-born.
The guard is a fearless shooter who can also get to the basket with his good tempo and strong body. Bagayoko also can take over playmaking duties for stretches. He already made his senior national team debut at the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
17. Amadou Seini - Cameroon
Amadou Seini is a massive force around the basketball for Cameroon, being named to the All-Star Five of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 where the country reached the Final to qualify to their first FIBA U19 World Cup. Seini makes his presence known at both ends of the court.
Offensively he is still working on improving his moves around the basket but the 7-footer uses his size and is an excellent rebounder. Seini stands out, however, with his rim protection as opposing teams must gameplan how to get around his shotblocking.
16. Tama Isaac - New Zealand
Tama Isaac stands out as a point guard who can also score - both from the outside and with shiftiness, touch and moves around the basket. Isaac has excellent court vision and leadership - being named to the All-Star Five of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024.
Isaac is tough as nails and isn't scared of putting his body on the line to draw a charge on defense. He also has quick hands on the perimeter and also uses his strong frame to grab offensive rebounds from the point guard spot.
15. Andrej Kostic - Serbia
Andrej Kostic is a dynamic scorer who shines with his shot from the outside, but the Serbian can do much more than just that. The shooting guard can get to the basket and finish through contact and from a variety of angles. Kostic has a flair for the dramatic with his passing but can also lead the team as point guard over stretches.
His good size on the wing allows him to help out on rebounding but he can also get out on the break.
14. Boyuan Zhang - China
Boyuan Zhang is a do-it-all wing for China and a player who long term should leave his mark on the Chinese senior national team. Zhang can light it up from outside but the wing can also dribble to the basket and finish - also above the rim.
He is a solid passer and likes to get out on the break.
13. Urban Kroflic - Slovenia
Urban Kroflic is Mr. Versatile for Slovenia, a big wing who can handle the ball, playmake, score and defend. Kroflic uses his good size to look over the defense and has good playmaking instincts. The lefty, who was named to the All-Star Five at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, can also drive to the basket and finish. He is a good rebounder and likes to push the ball on the break after rebounds.
He can also drain the long ball and does a good job defending on the wing and can hold his own around the basket.
12. Efeosa Oliogu - Canada
Efeosa Oliogu is a force of nature with a flair for some massive dunks and high energy plays. The wing is a fearless penetrator to the basket - on the break or in the half-court set. But Oliogu also can hit the long range jumper from anywhere along the perimeter.
Oliogu also can create for others, especially on the move. Defensively, he uses his strong frame and athleticism to get steals and keep offensive players from getting to the basket.
11. Koa Peat - USA
Koa Peat simply put is a problem for opposing teams. The power forward can really impact the game in so many ways. He can dominate in the paint when he gets the ball around the basket. He can shoot the ball from the outside. He does a good job handling the ball for a player of his size - including leading the break. Peat can also do some playmaking and is an excellent rebounder.
Defensively, he is an absolute shot-eraser with elite rim protection. Peat also knows how to win, having helped USA to back-to-back FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup titles in 2022 and 2024.
This selection is entirely subjective and is 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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