ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - We have reached the second rest day at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 as the excitement and anticipation of the Quarter-Finals builds up. That is the perfect time to review the first version of the Smart Power Rankings and give everyone an updated Volume 2.
So, here you go, the new rankings of the teams after four days of games in Istanbul.
16. Slovenia - 8
Nothing has gone right for Slovenia as they lost their starting backcourt from last summer's run to third place at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025 during training camp.
The spirit within the team just has dampened through three group stage losses, and after losing to Australia in the Round of 16 they must find a way to get back on track.
15. Japan +1
Japan also have not won a game but they also faced some of the best teams in the tournament - Italy, USA, and France in the group stage and then Lithuania in the Round of 16.
Chusonjakku Shiratani has lived up to his billing as Japan's clear leader. But there is not much alongside him, especially since Keiji Koshi went out in the first game after getting hit in the head and hasn't played since then.
14. Cameroon -2
This is the team missed on the most in the first rankings. Cameroon were destined for maybe even 15th place after a real nightmare group stage, which saw them lose games by 18, 51 and 40 points.
Then they lost by 56 points in the Round of 16. But by losing 141-85, Cameroon actually scored the third-most points against USA in the history of the FIBA U17 World Cup - more than just a morale victory for the debutants.
13. Venezuela +2
Venezuela were also in the fight for the bottom spots after the group stage - three losses to Côte d'Ivoire, Serbia and Australia. But the South Americans made a jump because of an inspiring Round of 16 battle against hosts Türkiye, who needed everything they could muster to knock off the debutants.
Venezuela will really savor when they finally get their first-ever win at the FIBA U17 World Cup - and help give some good news to the people back home who were struck by the devastating earthquakes.
12. Italy -3
Italy came to Istanbul looking to build on the momentum of reaching the Final in 2024 and grabbing fourth place at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025.
The Europeans also have some intriguing talent but they have failed to really produce with just a win over Japan - followed by losses to France, USA and Canada. Italy is hoping to rebound and leave Istanbul with a ninth placed finish.
11. China +2
China arrived in Istanbul with a roster including eight 2010-born players and those youngsters have shown they are ready for the older competition. They beat Cameroon and probably should have shut the door against Canada before then battling tough against a strong Lithuania team in the group.
Having to face a polished France team in the Round of 16 proved too much but the talent is there for this China group.
10. New Zealand =
New Zealand really could have gone 3-0 in the group but they had the heart-breaking loss to Türkiye to start the tournament - wasting a 25-point third quarter lead.
They then could not get past Puerto Rico before finally getting a win over Slovenia. Serbia were a number too strong for the Kiwis but New Zealand have the strong pairing of Jayden Cecil and Tawhiri Cate and could challenge for ninth place.
9. Côte d’Ivoire +5
Côte d'Ivoire are undoubtedly the surprise of the tournament, playing on the cadet global stage for the first time. The U16 African champions beat Venezuela to start the campaign before giving Australia everything they could handle. The Elephants could not really compete with Serbia in the final group game.
But they just missed making history against Puerto Rico in the Round of 16. Had Côte d'Ivoire won, they would have clinched the first top-eight finish for an African team at the FIBA U17 World Cup. They are still hunting the best finish for an African team - Egypt's 10th place in 2022.
8. Puerto Rico +3
Puerto Rico and the FIBA U17 World Cup equals an appearance in the Quarter-Finals. The Central Americans are now 4 for 4 in top-eight finishes. Puerto Rico registered group stage wins over Slovenia and New Zealand and then could not beat hosts Türkiye.
In the Round of 16, Puerto Rico fought past Côte d'Ivoire to reach the top eight, but they will be hard pressed to get a win the rest of the way.
7. Canada -3
Canada fans might be wondering how just one loss to Lithuania to start the tournament and then three wins to reach the Quarter-Finals could see them drop to seventh place.
Well, they absolutely collapsed against Lithuania and really could have easily lost to China as well. Rolling past Cameroon and Italy to get into the top eight were not enough to really warrant a higher spot.
6. Lithuania +1
Lithuania have not lost yet in Istanbul as they won Group B with a perfect 3-0 mark. They showed their grit and determination in pulling away from Canada in the opening game and then rolled past Cameroon and fought past China to finish the group stage.
The FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025 runners-up then took care of business in the Round of 16 against Japan. Next up for Lithuania is Serbia in a rematch of that U16 EuroBasket Final.
5. Türkiye =
Türkiye stayed pat at No. 5 even though they have not lost a game. But they had two very, very near losses. New Zealand had them down 25 points in the opening game before the hosts roared back to win in double overtime.
After wins over Slovenia and Puerto Rico, Türkiye were given a massive scare by Venezuela in the Round of 16 and truly survived that one. The team still has the same problem of not much help for Omer Kutluay and Darius Karutasu.
4. Australia +2
Australia jump two spots after a perfect run to the Quarter-Finals. They started in strong fashion with a win over Serbia and then battled past Côte d'Ivoire before a comfortable win over Venezuela to finish the group stage.
The Crocs then were barely challenged in the Round of 16 against Slovenia and Luke Paul is looking like a star in the making and MVP candidate.
3. Serbia -1
Serbia drop one spot in a move that is more about France jumping ahead of them. The Serbs dropped their opener to Australia and then blew out Venezuela and swept past Côte d'Ivoire by 26 points (Australia barely beat the Africans).
In the Round of 16, Serbia gave New Zealand no chance with a 30-point victory. Nikola Kusturica is showing why he is the talk of the tournament with one great all-around performance after the next.
2. France +1
France rise one spot to second over Serbia as they efficiently just race from win to win after dropping the opening game to USA. Tony Parker's men got their emotional revenge over Italy in the second game and then walloped Japan by 37 points.
France then overwhelmed China by 26 points with a team in which only two players have played more than 20 minutes - and both of them under 24 minutes. France now just want to work to get to another shot at USA in the Final.
1. USA =
USA have extended their all-time record at the FIBA U17 World Cup to 55-0 and are just three wins from their eighth straight undefeated title. The Americans beat France by 31 points before wins by 62, 51 and 56 points to reach the Quarter-Finals.
The USA balance is impressive as eight players are averaging in double figure points and only no player has played more than 21 minutes. There is no reason to make a change at the top of the rankings.
Disclaimer: The Smart Power Rankings is not an official statement from FIBA. It is created solely to enhance the experience of the fans following the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026.
FIBA