MALAGA (Spain) - The opening tip of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 gets closer and closer and teams are announcing final rosters and playing friendly games. With anticipation soaring, this is the perfect time to look at 20 players to watch in Malaga from July 2-10.

This is not a ranking of the top 20 players in the tournament - it represents more a list of players who fans can really get excited about following in the sixth edition of the competition. And it has a hint of who we are most looking forward to watching and seeing how they perform.

This is Volume 1 with players 20 to 11. Volume 2 will be coming out later this week.

20: Petras Padegimas - 2005 - Lithuania

You know Lithuania will be fundamentally sound and will rely on good shooting to go deep into the competition. But Padegimas will be one of the main difference-makers for the Baltic country as a forward who can drive to the lane in addition to low post abilities as a wing. Padegimas also brings with him the experiences he learned at the recent Basketball Without Borders Europe camp.

19: Lucas Giovannetti - 2005 - Argentina

Don't look at Giovannetti shooting from deep and question if he should be taking those shots - that is actually the Argentina sniper's range. Giovannetti will likely give some opposing head coaches headaches as he forces defenses to really extend out and guard him. The 6-foot-7 wing doesn't have a great speed on the drive but he is crafty and does a good job finding people on the move. Giovannetti also comes off playing at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022.

18: Bogoljub Markovic - 2005 - Serbia

 Markovic did not make the Serbia team for the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021 but the forward really took a step forward and plays for the Serbian head coach Dragoljub Avramovic at Mega Belgrade. Markovic, who helped the club win the Serbian U17 title, has good length at 6-foot-9 and has good touch around the basket with both hands. He's active on defense and moves well for his size. He also got a chance to learn things from NBA coaches and players at the recent Basketball Without Borders Europe camp.

17: Izan Almansa - 2005 - Spain

Almansa gives Spain something they don't always have at the youth national team level - good strength, size and athleticism in the low post. Almansa stands 6-foot-10 and is an excellent pick-and-roll player who also gives the Iberians a strong rebounder who can also run the floor. Almansa spent the past season in the United States playing for Overtime Elite, which helped him get used to even more athletic and stronger players. He also learned some invaluable lessons at the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp.

16: Nic Book - 2006 - New Zealand

New Zealand are back at the U17 World Cup for a second straight appearance and Book was a major reason for that - averaging a double-double at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2022. He is a good-sized wing at 6-foot-8 who can pass and shoot and do a bit of playmaking. He is a good rebounder with an excellent motor.

15: Ishan Sharma - 2005 - Canada

Sharma will provide Canada with a majorly needed weapon - outside shooting. The 6-foot-4 wing is a great sniper who will give his team's low post players some space around the basket and his playmakers an automatic target when they drive. Sharma also can handle the ball with good patience and also can finish at the rim. He also is a solid defender on the wing who can also block shots. Sharma also had the great opportunity to test himself against the best players on the continent at the recent Basketball Without Borders Americas camp.

14: Sean Stewart - 2005 - USA

 
Stewart is one of eight players who were not on the USA team last summer at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2021. He is one of the Americans' tallest players at 6-foot-8 and will wreak havoc for opposing offenses and defenses. Stewart is a great rebounder who can run the floor, handle the ball, shoot and deliver a pass or two. But the Duke commit is most dominant around the rim - both as a vicious dunker and a nasty shot-blocker.

13: Noah Penda - 2005 - France

 
Penda will likely be one of the main floor generals for France as the team looks to challenge United States and actually win the title - or at least grab a second straight medal. Penda has good size as a wing but also can play as point guard and take advantage of his 6-foot 6 frame. Penda has a good motor and decent outside shot. He also has a good basketball IQ and really works hard at both ends.

12: Jan Vide - 2005 - Slovenia

Vide might be the front-runner for the leading scorer of the tournament as Slovenia come to Spain with a team that will really be relying on his points. Vide does not have great size or quickness or outside shooting ability but he knows how to put the ball into the basket and can do it on a regular basis. The Slovenians are first-timers at the U17 World Cup so Vide will be a valuable asset with his big game experience playing at Real Madrid and also his recent showing at the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp.

11: Rocco Zikarsky - 2006 - Australia

Zikarsky showcased his all-around skillset at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2022, where the 7-foot-1 center flashed his great rebounding and shot-blocking as well as crashing the offensive glass very effectively. Zikarsky can also run the floor a bit and does not shy away from challenges from other other big men.

 FIBA