Big Board Global's Top Prospects at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024
Get Exclusive Tournament Recaps, Stock Updates, Scouting Reports, and Special Features Straight to Your Inbox—Stay Ahead with In-Depth Coverage of the Next Generation of Stars
Dear Coaches,
Big Board Global is excited to present a list of standout high major prospects who caught our attention at the FIBA U17s in Istanbul. This compilation (excluding US and Canadian prospects) showcases emerging talent that college programs should closely monitor over the next season. Our scouting team meticulously evaluates and tracks these players to provide you with the most comprehensive insights. By subscribing to Big Board Global, you'll be the first to receive detailed tournament recaps, stock updates, scouting reports, and special features directly in your inbox upon publication. Expect regular posts and enhanced coverage during national team events, ensuring a consistent stream of valuable information to keep you ahead in your recruiting efforts.
Here are a few prospects that caught our attention:
Argentina
Felipe Minzer
Team: Casademont Zaragoza (Spain)
Height/Position: 6’6" Wing Ball Handler
Nationality: Argentina
Birthdate: September 12, 2007
Felipe Minzer, a 6'6" guard, embodies the quintessential Argentinian ball handler with a high ceiling as a point guard and playmaker. His game is characterized by a unique blend of confidence and flair, effortlessly shifting gears to play at varying speeds. Minzer handles the ball with a noticeable bounce in his step, showcasing his crafty scoring ability and exceptional court vision, particularly when navigating ball screens. As a left-handed, aggressive downhill driver, he utilizes his long strides to penetrate the paint and draw fouls, consistently putting pressure on defenses. When not attacking the rim, Minzer excels at driving middle to create opportunities for his pull-up jumper, adding a dynamic element to his offensive repertoire.
However, there are areas for improvement in Minzer’s game. He remains heavily reliant on his left hand, struggling to finish at the rim when forced to use his weaker right hand. Additionally, he tends to be a reluctant shooter off the catch, often passing up open looks to drive into a congested paint. Addressing these concerns will be crucial for his development, but Minzer’s blend of size, skill, and playmaking potential makes him a standout prospect with significant upside. - RB
Tyler Kropp
Team: Olentangy Liberty High School (USA)
Height/Position: 6’8" Forward
Nationality: Argentina
Birthdate: March 6, 2007
Kropp has established himself as one of the most productive scorers in FIBA play this summer, averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds per game for Argentina in the 2024 FIBA U18 Americas Cup, followed by 20 points and 7 rebounds at the FIBA U17 World Cup. He ranked in the top 10 in scoring and rebounding both tournaments, leading the U18s in scoring and rebounding despite being one of the youngest players competing. Kropp’s consistent offensive output and ability to find gaps in the defense make him a formidable offensive threat and high major talent.
Kropp does most of his damage around the basket with good touch, excelling on cuts, post-ups, and hustle plays. His strength and ability to finish through contact are reminiscent of former NBA player David Lee, epitomizing the term “hustle player.”
Kropp has a nose for the basketball, always finding himself in the right spots, and he does an excellent job of sealing and ducking in to establish low post position. Additionally, Kropp is a promising shooter with range extending to the three-point line, adding another dimension to his offensive game.
However, Kropp does have areas that need improvement. As a below-the-rim athlete, he may struggle to finish against lengthier defenders at the collegiate level. Despite his impressive production, he is somewhat of a tweener and will need to improve his ball-handling and outside shooting to replicate his numbers against higher-level competition.
Overall, Tyler Kropp’s scoring ability and hustle make him an intriguing prospect. - RB
Australia
Dash Daniels
Team: NBA Global Academy Australia (Australia)
Height/Position: 6’5" Wing Ball Handler
Nationality: Australia
Birthdate: December 17, 2007
Dash, younger brother of former lottery selection Dyson Daniels, projects as a high level prospect with the chance to make a very successful NBA career for himself.
The 6’5” guard may have struggled from long range in this tournament (26.9% on 3.7 attempts), but don’t be fooled; this guy is a knockdown shooter. He can shoot off the catch, as well as off the dribble and on spot-up opportunities.
He is also an elite playmaker averaging 4.1 assists for the tournament (12th), and it seems he is only scratching the surface of his potential in that area. He consistently hits guys in stride, with rare vision and IQ for his age. He is solid in the pick-and-roll, doing well to create for the roller with his shooting gravity.
He will likely continue to grow over the next few years, similarly to his older brother, who hit a late growth spurt. - NT
Harrison Beauchamp
Team: Victoria State (Australia)
Height/Position: 6’6" Two-Way Wing
Nationality: Australia
Birthdate: January 4, 2007
Beauchamp is a good shooter with a strong defensive instincts. His footwork is elite, and his overall game has connective tissue written all over it.
He is a decent passer, however he is at his best playing off the ball, getting himself to the best position to finish plays with threes off the catch or play-finishes inside the arc.
He is a rare defensive talent, both in the half court and in transition. With broad shoulders and a decent frame, Beauchamp will likely continue to get stronger in the next few years.
He could benefit from improving as a self creator, however it isn’t a must as he’s good at his role as a connector. But to solidify himself as an NBA prospect, his handles and offensive creativity are two areas to work on in the next few years. - NT
Ajak Nyuon
Team: Centre of Excellence (Australia)
Height/Position: 6’10" Center
Nationality: Australia
Birthdate: May 12, 2007
At 6'10", Ajak Nyuon offers good positional size and long-term potential, despite his current numbers not being eye-catching on paper. His strong performance against Italy showcased his talent, including a coast-to-coast finish, a face-up move at the elbow with a spin for a layup, and an emphatic dunk as the roll man.
Nyuon is long, mobile, and coordinated, coupled with a massive wingspan and a high upside. He shows promising instincts as a ball mover, showing glimpses of transition ball handling, low post footwork, and court vision. Nyuon’s ability to finish with both hands around the rim and draw fouls on limited touches adds to his intrigue.
However, Nyuon remains raw and and is still developing. His decision-making needs improvement as he is prone to turnovers, and his thin frame struggles against physicality. He needs to get stronger and tougher with the ball. Additionally, he is a poor foul shooter and lacks range on his shot. His lack of vertical explosiveness and hesitation to finish strong in the paint are areas of concern.
Overall, Nyuon’s physical attributes and flashes of skill make him an intriguing prospect. With focused development on his strength, decision-making, and shooting consistency, he has the potential to be a significant contributor at the collegiate level. - RB
China
Sinan Huan
Team: Joe Tsai Foundation (China)
Height/Position: 7’1" Rim Protector
Nationality: China
Birthdate: May 7, 2007
Listed at 7'1", Sinan Huan possesses excellent positional size, along with good mobility and coordination, ranking as one of the best long term prospects from the tournament. He averaged 13 points, 6.3 rebounds, and a tournament-leading 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the floor and making 13 of 14 from the free-throw line.
Huan's a skilled and fundamentally sound with a decent touch around the rim, displaying good footwork, balance, and post moves, including a reliable lefty hook.
He shows promise as a pick-and-roll vertical lob threat who can also pop out for jumpers, showcasing his versatility. He shows flashes of toughness, finishing strong in the paint with emphatic dunks, and his good foul shooting hints at potential to extend his range to the three-point line.
Defensively, Huan is an intimidating presence, excelling as a weak-side shot blocker who challenges everything at the rim. His anticipation and recovery skills allow him to get back into plays if beaten off the dribble, and he can move his feet well enough to defend in space.
However, Huan doesn't always sprint the floor, often jogging despite having the speed and mobility to be an effective transition rim runner. Additionally, he is not always aggressive in establishing low post position, which limits his effectiveness in the paint. A significant area of concern is his tendency to bring the ball down low, allowing smaller guards to strip him or closing the window for an uncontested shot, leading to more difficult attempts. - RB
Boyuan Zhang
Team: Shanxi Fenjiu Basketball Club (China)
Height/Position: 6’8" 3-Point Specialist
Nationality: China
Birthdate: January 21, 2007
At 6'8", Boyuan Zhang has solid size for a wing and a clearly defined role as a three-point specialist. He averaged 17.1 points and 4.6 rebounds on 44/40/84 shooting splits. Zhang’s a left-handed, quick trigger shooter and a dangerous threat from beyond the arc when his feet are set. He shot 40.7% of his three at the U17s which underscores his reliability as a complementary shooter.
Zhang brings more to the table than long-range shooting. He’s not afraid to drive to the rim, showing a willingness to attack and not just settle for three-pointers. His handle is sufficient to attack poor closeouts, and he shows good touch on floaters in the paint. Additionally, Zhang can occasionally posts up smaller defenders and create his own shot against weaker opponents. He’s tough, competitive and loves to sprint the floor in transition.
However, his stiff and tight hips limit his ability to consistently get past defenders off the dribble. He’s an average athlete at best, and lacks the explosiveness to finish vs size and length in the paint. Zhang doesn’t have the speed to consistently get all the way to the rim and offers little as a passer and playmaker. - RB
Egypt
Omar Essam
Team: Al Ahly Sporting Club (Egypt)
Height/Position: 6’11" Stretch Big
Nationality: Egypt
Birthdate: September 30, 2007
Essam is a floor-stretching big with the foot speed to keep up with perimeter players. He took advantage of the opportunity in this tournament to put him on the radar of Division I decision-makers.
He’s a great screener who will be successful in the pick-and-roll at the next level, as both a roller and someone who can fade to the perimeter.
Essam is a great positional athlete, and he uses his elevation well to impact shots at the cup, sending back 1.9 shots per game (3rd in tournament). - NT
France
Hugo Yigma
Team: Pôle France (France)
Height/Position: 6’8" Athletic Slasher
Nationality: France
Birthdate: July 2, 2008
Hugo Yigma was one of the youngest players in the tournament and emerged as one of the most promising long-term prospects worldwide. At 6'7" with high-level NBA-caliber athleticism, Yigma's an aggressive downhill slasher that uses his powerful and mature frame to finish through contact in the paint.
While he struggled with his outside shooting, he found ways to score as a highlight reel transition finisher, backdoor cutter and showed his promising mid-range game when chased off the line. Yigma is comfortable draining one-dribble pull-ups and consistently collects baskets on offensive rebound putbacks, showcasing his knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Yigma will need to tighten his handle and has tendency to turn down open threes to drive into heavy traffic in the lane. Additionally, he can also be too unselfish at times, passing up scoring opportunities when he has an advantage.
Overall, Yigma’s blend of youth, athleticism, physicality, and scoring make him an exciting prospect. - RB
Germany
Declan Duru
Team: Real Madrid (Spain)
Height/Position: 6’7" Wing
Nationality: German
Birthdate: January 11, 2007
Duru is already a known commodity among international scouts, being one of the top prospects in Real Madrid’s youth program. With a strong stature, Duru will primarily play the four at the next level.
He’s played without fear in this tournament, testing his precarious three-point shot, which is still a work in progress, going 2/21 in the tournament.
Duru was more known as a slasher and play-finisher inside the arc outside of his interior scoring duties. He can makes plays above the rim, able to finish through contact. He possesses a nice touch around the cup, too.
He’s an excellent rebounder who knows how to make use of his strength advantage to win battles on the glass.
His biggest weakness, aside from his outside scoring woes, lies in his decision making. He struggles when handling the ball, often turning the ball over in sequences that just make you want to tear your hair out. - NT
Guinea
Arafan Diane
Team: Institut de Sport Dynastie (Canada)
Height/Position: 6’11" Big
Nationality: Guinea
Birthdate: November 18, 2007
The near seven-footer averaged a dominant double-double over the course of the tournament—19.1 points (4th in tournament) and 11.7 rebounds (1st). He got to the free-throw line 21 times, converting 73.8% of his attempts.
His mobility and toughness have drawn plenty of attention from scouts over the tournament. His footwork is still developing, but that’s not the most important thing for his age. His touch around the rim is smooth and elite, knocking down 55.6% of his attempts in that area.
He possesses a great deal of strength, however strangely struggles against foes of a similar level of fortitude. This will be his biggest required area of improvement. - NT
Abdouramane Toure
Team: Notre Dame High School (USA)
Height/Position: 6’5" Athletic finisher
Nationality: Guinea
Birthdate: August 13, 2007
Toure lead the FIBA U17s in scoring at 23 points per game, including a record-tying 50-point performance on 21 of 27 shooting against China. He showcased glimpses of his potential as a three-level scorer and ranked as one of my favorite prospects in the tournament . Listed at 6’5”, Toure is an explosive vertical athlete who excels at making plays above the rim, finishing in the paint with highlight reel dunks and acrobatic reverse layups. He also displayed good touch on floaters and soft finishes in the paint when the defense didn’t allow him to get all the way to the cup.
His quick first step allows him to blow by defenders on straight-line drives, and he does a good job of using his speed and handle to create his own offense off the bounce. He has a keen sense of getting to his sweet spots on the floor and is a promising outside shooter. Toure can attack closeouts and either get all the way to the rim or knock down one or two-dribble pull-up jumpers. His impressive body control lets him stop on a dime and pop jumpers over defenders, making him the best tough shot-maker in the tournament outside of AJ Dybantsa. In the open court, Toure is blur with the ball in his hands and scored the majority of his points in transition.
However, there are areas Toure needs to improve. He had more turnovers than assists, indicating a need to refine his decision-making and ball-handling under pressure. - RB
Italy
Diego Garavaglia
Team: Olimpia Milano (Italy)
Height/Position: 6’8" 3 & D Wing
Nationality: Italy
Birthdate: April 3, 2007
At 6'7", Diego Garavaglia brings a valuable combination of defensive and offensive versatility that gives him a defined role as a 3-and-D slasher. His defensive instincts are his greatest strengths, as evidenced by his performance at the FIBA U17 World Cup, where he finished second in the tournament in blocks with 17. Garavaglia’s timing and anticipation as a weak-side shot blocker offer rim protection from the wing position, and his ability to play the passing lanes and collect steals often turns defense into offense.
On offense, he is a fluid athlete who thrives in attacking closeouts, finishing at the rim, or using soft touch floaters. His ability to sprint the floor in transition makes him a reliable finisher in the open court, and he scores efficiently off action plays and dribble hand-offs in the half court. He shows promise as a rhythm shooter that is capable of knocking down open shots when given space. Garavaglia also looks to take advantage of smaller or weaker players in the mid or low post.
However, Garavaglia does have areas that need improvement. He lacks vertical explosiveness around the rim, often struggling to finish against length and athleticism. Additionally, he is not yet a creative scorer with the ball in his hands and will need to develop his ball-handling skills to continue playing effectively on the wing. While he is a respectable shooter, improving his consistency as a deep threat will be crucial for success at higher levels.
Overall, Diego Garavaglia’s defensive and offensive potential make him an intriguing prospect. With focused development on his ball-handling and shooting consistency, he has the tools to become a significant contributor at the collegiate level. - RB
Maikcol Perez
Team: Orange 1 Basket Bassano (Italy)
Height/Position: 6’8" Connector
Nationality: Italy
Birthdate: November 30, 2007
Perez is one of the more enticing prospects in the tournament. He is a smooth interior scorer, with decent handles. At 6’8” with broad shoulders, it’s likely that he will continue to grow and fill out his frame.
He’s thrives on exploiting physical mismatches, making use of his power to dominate players at his position. He has very good touch at the rim, scoring on 58.6% of his attempts inside the paint, a big part of why he was able to score 14.6 points per game (13th in tournament).
Perez is a very good passer. He averaged 4.3 assists per game (10th in tournament). He’s able to execute advanced reads, before making consistently good and quick decisions as a ball-mover. - NT
Luigi Suigo
Team: Olimpia Milano (Italy)
Height/Position: 7’1" Center
Nationality: Italy
Birthdate: January 28, 2007
Listed at 7’1”, Luigi Suigo is a massive interior presence who, while still raw and developing, shows promise to evolve into a productive college big man. He has a solid baseline of skills, featuring a respectable drop-step hook off the left shoulder. Suigo moves well for his size, displaying good coordination and balance, and has a decent touch around the rim. His flashes of counter moves when his right hand is taken away suggest a developing offensive repertoire.
Despite a small sample size, Suigo made 2 out of his 5 attempts from beyond the arc, indicating potential as a floor-spacing big. Defensively, he is a decent shot blocker, averaging 1.7 blocks per game over the tournament. With the right developmental program, added strength, and a more aggressive mindset, Suigo could become a significant factor for a Division I program.
However, there are areas where Suigo needs to improve. He lacks physicality and will need to get stronger and tougher to avoid being pushed off his spots on the block. His "gentle giant" tendencies need to be addressed, as he must learn to play with more assertiveness. Additionally, Suigo needs to learn to keep the ball high instead of bringing it down low, which makes him vulnerable to strips and blocks.
Overall, Luigi Suigo’s combination of size, coordination, and emerging skills make him an intriguing prospect. With focused development on his strength, physicality, and ball-handling, he has the potential to be a significant contributor at the collegiate level. - RB
Lithuania
Dovydas Buika
Team: BC Žalgiris-2 (Lithuania)
Height/Position: 6’6" Two-Way Wing
Nationality: Lithuania
Birthdate: January 2, 2007
Buika is a strong scorer he can also create for others when necessary. He shows great composure when making plays, and does a good job reading the floor.
He moves fluidly and has all the physical tools, with a frame that seems set to fill out over the coming years. While he is strong, he tends to struggle against players with any kind of physical advantage over him.
He shows good touch at the rim, and can finish through contact relatively consistently. He has good body control and is super agile as he navigates his way through traffic.
He is someone who clearly has the makings of a wing scorer who can take over a team’s scoring load with the support from his teammates.
He makes great decisions out of the advantages he creates. His game is built to have the ball in his hands, however at the next level I believe he will be best suited as a secondary guy. He will likely get some minutes in the pros this season before he is ready to make the switch to college basketball.
He is extremely active on defense, with good timing and anticipation which leads to him to getting his fair share of steals. He is solid off the ball, doing well to stick to his man, and he makes great decisions when guarding someone on an island. - NT
Arturas Butajevas
Team: FC Barcelona (Spain)
Height/Position: 6’9" Center
Nationality: Lithuania
Birthdate: March 26, 2007
At 6'9", Arturas Butajevas is a high-major prospect whose blend of athleticism, coordination, and competitive fire makes him an intriguing target for college coaches. Similar to other high-energy big men, Butajevas showcases good mobility and agility, particularly as a rim roller. He does a good job of rolling hard to the basket, forcing defenses to collapse and creating scoring opportunities for perimeter shooters.
However, Butajevas is more than just a pick-and-roll threat. He’s showing signs of becoming a formidable low post scorer, demonstrating sound fundamentals like keeping the ball high and away from pesky guards looking to swipe the ball out of his hands. His ability to process the game quickly allows him to make quick soft touch finishes in traffic, a skill that will only become more valuable at the next level.
His relentless pursuit on the offensive glass is one of his best attributes, often creating second-chance points through sheer hustle. Comparable to elite rebounders, he has a nose for the ball and can secures boards well outside his immediate area. Butajevas’ motor and competitive toughness are on display every time he steps on the court, consistently impacting games through his effort and intensity.
In transition, Butajevas is a capable open court rim runner, and transition finisher that fills the lanes and makes the most of his fast-break opportunities. His passing ability and court vision are advanced for a player his size, and showing promise as a low post hub. While his shooting is a work in progress, he shows confidence in taking open looks and has the potential to extend his range, given his efficiency at the foul line.
However, there are areas where Butajevas will need to develop further. Improving his outside shooting consistency will be crucial. He’ll also need to avoid bailing out defenses with low-percentage jumpers when he has an advantage in the paint. Despite his solid athleticism, he may lack the explosive quick-twitch hops to be a constant vertical lob threat. As a natural center, his height could be a concern if he doesn't grow beyond 6'9", potentially limiting his matchups against taller, more imposing bigs.
Overall, Arturas Butajevas has the foundational skills and competitive edge to succeed at the collegiate level. With focused development on his shooting and continued growth as a playmaker, he has the potential to become a standout contributor. - RB
New Zealand
Oscar Goodman
Team: Centre of Excellence (Australia)
Height/Position: 6’8" Connector
Nationality: New Zealand
Birthdate: February 4, 2007
Goodman provides an all-around game, providing connective passing, help defense, self creation and shooting touch. He is a tough, dominant scorer inside the paint, and is more than capable of playing through physicality
He makes use of his power and strength to his advantage, driving to the rim consistently, and finishing efficiently. For Division I decision-makers, Goodman could be a freshman who will be productive right out of the gates.
His rare combination of court feel, touch, IQ, and communication project him as a great leader, on and off the floor.
As a 17-year-old, his sheer physical dominance will undoubtedly attract high level interest, where the aforementioned areas will surely make him one of this tournaments top NBA prospects. - NT
Troy Plumtree
Team: Wellington Saints (New Zealand)
Height/Position: 6’5" Versatile Wing
Nationality: New Zealand
Birthdate: January 16, 2007
Plumtree’s motor and athleticism will be his calling cards at the next level. He possesses good vertical athleticism, and his activity on both ends makes him a constant factor. He mostly serves as a play-finisher and shooter rather than creating with the ball in his hands.
And that’s more than okay!
Plumtree has to work on using his toughness and using his athleticism to his advantage, as he has a tendency to be too aggressive and picking up care less fouls.
He is incredible active on the glass, and is a really good positional rebounder. He has a knack at getting to right spots at the right time and chasing down any long rebounds.
Plumtree is a high-level prospect, and if he can continue his progression on self creation, he could become one of the better long term international prospects from this tournament.
He averaged 12.7 points (22nd in tournament), 7.6 rebounds (7th), and 1.9 assists on 57% from the field (17th) and 35.3% from three. - NT
Spain
Gildas Gimenez
Team: Real Madrid (Spain)
Height/Position: 6’5" Athletic Slasher
Nationality: Spain
Birthdate: January 11, 2007
Gildas Gimenez is an intriguing 6’5” long-term prospect to monitor over the next few years. He averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 58% from the floor and 38% from three. Gimenez combines good positional size and length with broad shoulders and long arms, giving him the physical tools NBA teams covet in a wing.
Gimenez is a smooth athletic slasher who gets to the basket with his long strides, attacking closeouts and finishing with emphatic dunks. His speed and athleticism make him an elite transition finisher, and he aggressively sprints off the ball to get open, forcing defenders to overplay and creating backdoor cut scoring opportunities. Gimenez has a nice blend of team-oriented play and individual aggressiveness, knowing how to get his own shot while fitting into a team concept.
His high-arching shot is promising, evidenced by his 38% shooting from three on 1.9 attempts per game. Additionally, Gimenez impacts games and collects easy buckets on hustle plays, demonstrating his commitment to both ends of the floor.
Overall, Gildas Gimenez with his combination of size, athleticism, and shooting ability he has the tools to become a major contributor at the collegiate level.- RB
Turkey
Kaan Onat
Team: İstanbul Anka Spor (Turkey)
Height/Position: 6’5" Scoring Guard
Nationality: Turkey
Birthdate: April 7, 2007
Onat is a crafty scorer with a tight handle who makes his money at the rim. While playing aggressively, Onat hunts paint touches rather than settling for jumpers.
Due to his combination of size and length, strong fundamentals, and dominant half-court game, Onat has all the makings of a long-term college guard.
Maybe his biggest weakness are his shortcomings in athleticism, however he makes up for it with his craftiness as a scorer.
He is also a deadeye from beyond the arc. He knocked down 40.7% of his attempts on a decent volume (3.9). His shot diet also consisted of a variety of shots, including both off the dribble and the catch.
He’s a fairly decent live-dribble passer and a very good decision-maker. His IQ and feel for the game is immense for his age. He knows how to manipulate and make use of the gaps in the defense, without overly forcing it.
Overall, in the tournament Onat scored 18.9 points (5th), dished out 4.7 assists (5th), and ripped in 5.0 rebounds. - NT