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FIBA U17 World Championships - FIBA.com
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FIBA U17 World Championships

The fourth edition of the FIBA U17 World Championship will take place in 2016 in Spain and for the first time, will be played jointly with the FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship in what promises to be a youth basketball festival.
 
This unique and innovative event is set to combine all the elements most attractive to young players and fans, with opportunities to enjoy and share the experience which will include music and technology – as well as the basketball, as part of a diverse and united community.
 
The move to joint-hosting is also destined to deliver added value by increasing the quality of service and build on a much broader and stronger sporting appeal.

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  • The first three editions of the FIBA U17 World Championship have seen the USA finish as champions in each one and a number of stars announced their arrival on the international scene.
     
    The USA lifted their first piece of silverware when the tournament made its debut in Hamburg in 2010, beating Poland in the Final, with Bradley Beal being crowned the first-ever MVP and showing why he would eventually step out in the NBA. Egypt also flew the flag for Africa with a maiden victory in a memorable and dramatic one-point  win against Korea.
     
    Two years later in Kaunas, Jahil Okafor took the MVP accolade and after impressing at Duke in the NCAA, made the transition to play in the NBA after being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in June 2015. Dante Exum also excelled for second place Australia, ahead of appearing with the senior team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2014 as well as stepping out in the NBA with the Utah Jazz.
     
    From a European perspective, Mario Hezonja was sensational for Croatia and carried them onto the last podium step ahead of also appearing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, with Barcelona in Euroleague and then being drafted by the Orlando Magic.
     
    Dubai was the host in 2014 for another USA triumph as they maintained their flawless record which is yet to see them lose any of their 22 games across the three editions. Once again they beat Australia in the title game and it proved to be a gripping conclusion.
     
    The USA rode out 99-92 winners, behind a big effort from eventual MVP Malik Newman, while Australia were fuelled by the highly rated Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic.

    To qualify as one of the 16 teams who will step out in Spain in 2016, each nation will have had to cement their place via the respective FIBA Continental Championship competitions at U16 level in 2015. Five European places are reserved in addition to a place for the hosts, four from the Americas, three from Asia, two from Africa and one from Oceania.

  • The first three editions of the FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship have seen a number of rising stars born.

    It was initiated in 2010 in Rodez and Toulouse in France, as the host nation made the Final, helped by the presence of livewire playmaker Olivia Epoupa, who recently played for the senior team in the Final of EuroBasket Women 2015. However, they lost out to a USA side which contained Breanna Stewart who would go on to debut at the 2014 FIBA Women’s World Championship in Turkey – as well as 3x3 ace, Jewell Loyd.
     
    The USA retained their title when the action moved to Amsterdam in 2012, beating Spain in the Final. The competition saw the likes of Canada’s Kia Nurse light it up and give an early glimpse of what would follow in 2015 when she would attain MVP status in carrying the senior team to a gold medal at the Pan-Am Games in Toronto and the continental crown at the FIBA Americas Women’s Championship in Edmonton. There was also a historic first success for Africa as Mali shot down Brazil.
     
    Continuing their dominance, the USA made it three in a row in 2014 in Czech Republic. In a repeat of the 2012 Final, they once again faced Spain, only this time they were almost beaten after an inspired display by eventual MVP Angela Salvadores, who posted one of the most memorable individual efforts in the history of youth basketball with a majestic 40-point performance. Mali also turned heads yet again with a first African win against European opposition as they stunned Italy.


     
    To qualify as one of the 16 teams who will step out in Spain in 2016, each nation will have had to cement their place via the respective FIBA Continental Championship competitions at U16 level in 2015. Five European places are reserved in addition to a place for the hosts, four from the Americas, three from Asia, two from Africa and one from Oceania.