Who's the best U17 world champ in the NCAA Sweet 16?

MIES (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup) - Five former FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup champions are still alive in the 2018 NCAA men's tournament with an enticing Sweet 16 match-up of one 2014 winner with the United States taking on two champs from the 2016 USA team.

One of the most intriguing showdowns in the final 16 of this year's tournament sees Syracuse facing Duke. In addition to a spot in the Elite Eight, the game will also be for U17 World Cup bragging rights as 2014 winner Tyus Battle is starring for Syracuse while Duke features 2016 U17 champions Gary Trent Jr and Wendell Carter Jr.

Tyus Battle won the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2014 with the USA.

Gary Trent Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. (2nd to right and right) celebrate during the FIBA U17 World Cup 2016.

And awaiting the winner of that game might be another U17 world champ as Kansas and Clemson battle in the other Midwest Regional Semi-Final. One of the stars of the top seeded Jayhawks is Malik Newman, who was Battle's teammate in 2014 and took home the MVP trophy.

USA star Malik Newman won the MVP trophy at the FIBA U17 World Cup 2014.

Whichever team from the Midwest reaches the Final Four in San Antonio might have to face the sole past champion of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup as 2015 U19 MVP Jalen Brunson is one of the leaders of the No. 1 seeded Villanova from the East Regional.

Kevin Knox dreams of adding an NCAA title to his 2016 U17 World Cup crown.

And then the fifth U17 world champ could be waiting in the April 2 championship game as 2016 winner Kevin Knox has Kentucky fans dreaming of celebrating - just like he and the United States did in Zaragoza.

FIBA