From June 28 to July 6, 2025, Lausanne’s Vaudoise Arena in Switzerland served as the epicenter of men’s FIBA U19 basketball. Over the course of nine days, the world’s best young talent competed for global supremacy, culminating in the United States going undefeated and reclaiming their place atop the basketball world. Team USA captured their ninth U19 World Cup title in dominant fashion, rolling past Germany 109-76 in the championship final. Below are some of the top international prospects who stood out during the tournament, with a separate report on the top USA prospects to follow.
Hannes Steinbach 6-9 F/C | Germany | College: University of Washington
Steinbach (pictured) was one of the breakout performers at the U19 World Cup, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Starting Five while anchoring Germany’s frontcourt with energy and consistency. A high-motor forward with a strong interior presence, he excelled around the basket using a mix of post moves and face-up drives, primarily finishing with his dominant right hand. He played with great effort on the glass, averaging 13 rebounds per game, and ran the floor well without the ball to create easy scoring chances. Defensively, he showed solid footwork and the ability to defend ball screens in different coverages, though he occasionally struggled to close out on shooters and relied on fouls to recover when switched onto smaller guards. Despite those lapses, he was a reliable paint protector and averaged 1.3 blocks per game. Steinbach’s physicality and motor were evident, but he’ll need to get stronger and expand his shooting range to thrive at the next level. He hit just 22.2 percent from three in the tournament and will need to refine his shooting mechanics. With a promising season ahead at Washington, he has the tools to grow into a productive power forward and potential NBA role player in time.
Christian Anderson 6-2 PG | Germany | College: Texas Tech
Anderson was the clear standout for Germany’s U19 squad at the 2025 FIBA World Cup, earning a spot on the tournament’s All-Event Starting Five. He played with confidence and control throughout, flashing his ability to score at all three levels while running the team with poise. A creative ball-handler who thrives in isolation, Anderson consistently broke down defenders with his quick change of pace and shifty footwork. He was dangerous pulling up off the dribble from three or snaking into the lane for finishes with either hand. In transition, he pushed the tempo with speed and vision, delivering timely passes to cutters, spot-up shooters, and rim-running bigs. Defensively, he brought good energy and anticipation, jumping passing lanes and navigating screens with quick feet. While his size and limited athleticism could pose concerns at the NBA level, particularly when defending bigger guards, he showed enough skill, feel, and competitiveness to project as a potential backup point guard if he continues to develop physically and strengthen his frame.
Eric Reibe 7-0 C | Germany | College: University of Connecticut
Reibe played a key role in Germany’s run to the U19 World Cup final, providing skill and stability in the paint alongside Hannes Steinbach. A left-handed big with a polished interior game, Reibe isn’t the most explosive athlete but makes up for it with footwork, touch, and high basketball IQ. He showed comfort scoring from both the low post and in face-up situations, using patience and craft to find angles. He set effective screens and positioned himself well within the flow of the offense, finishing efficiently around the rim and displaying a soft touch with either hand. He also stepped out and knocked down a few threes, adding stretch potential to his profile. Defensively, he held his own in ball screen coverage and used his size to contest without fouling. To reach the next level, Reibe will need to become more physical, add strength, and improve his rebounding presence. His shooting, especially from the free throw line at 56 percent, also needs refinement. Still, with his feel and offensive versatility, his upcoming season at UConn will be a strong indicator of his long-term upside as a potential pro big. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 23.7 minutes per game while shooting 66.7 percent from two and 33.3 percent from three.
Jordan Charles 5-11 PG | Canada | School: Bella Vista Prep
One of the youngest players in the tournament, Charles held his own as the starting point guard for Canada’s U19 team and showed encouraging flashes of long-term upside. A natural playmaker with strong court vision, he kept the ball moving in the halfcourt and created easy looks in transition by pushing pace and reading the floor. Offensively, he displayed a solid shooting stroke both from mid-range and beyond the arc, capable of pulling up off the dribble or attacking closeouts to get into the paint. Though most of his finishes came with his right hand, he was able to absorb contact at the rim and play through physicality. Defensively, he was active and disruptive with quick hands and a knack for creating steals. His lack of size and strength remains a concern at higher levels, and his handle still needs tightening, but considering his age and production (13.0 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game), he showed plenty of tools to build on for the future
Andrej Kostic 6-6 SG | Serbia | College: Kansas State
Kostic came into the U19 World Cup with a strong résumé from his time with Crvena Zvezda and a productive loan stint at BC Dynamic, and while his performance fluctuated game to game, his long-term upside as a scoring guard remains evident. A smooth combo guard with natural scoring instincts, Kostic can put up points in a variety of ways. He has a quick release from deep and doesn’t need much space to get his shot off, connecting on 37.7 percent of his threes during the tournament. When defenders close out hard, he uses a quick first step to get downhill and finish through contact with either hand. He thrives in transition and isolation, showing creativity and body control as a driver. Defensively, he still has work to do, as he can be late on closeouts and lacks the physicality to consistently hold his ground. Despite that, he flashes good timing in the passing lanes and is capable of using his length effectively. With a year at Kansas State on deck and a skill set built for the modern game, Kostic remains a strong candidate to play his way into the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Mark Padjen 6-6 SG | Slovenia | Team: Ilirija
Padjen showed promise as a creative combo guard for Slovenia, displaying excellent handle, craft, and shot-making ability. An effective player, despite a lean frame, he was comfortable operating out of pick and roll, delivering passes to multiple levels, and knocking down shots both off the dribble and spotting up. He attacked, slightly favoring his right, and regularly earned trips to the line on aggressive drives. His feel in transition and ability to go coast to coast made him a tough cover when given space. While he needs to improve his strength and defensive consistency, his court vision and scoring versatility stood out. He averaged 12.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists while shooting 46.9 percent from two, 34.4 percent from three, and 86.1 percent from the line in 23.7 minutes per game. He also helped Ilirija earn promotion to the ABA League and recently earned a spot on Slovenia’s senior national team for EuroBasket 2025.
Tyler Kropp 6-8 PF | Argentina | High School: Northwestern
Kropp emerged as the breakout star for Argentina, leading his team in scoring, rebounding, and efficiency as a versatile stretch four with advanced polish for his age. Just 17, he showed deep shooting range, knocking down over 57 percent from three, and operated confidently from the perimeter or on face-up, finishing through contact with either hand. He rebounded with purpose and showed a great feel for spacing, timing his cuts well and staying active off the ball. On defense, he guarded multiple positions, protected the rim, and used his strength to battle inside. He must continue to improve his transition defense and physicality to handle stronger opponents, but his skill and IQ suggest real long-term upside. He averaged 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 3.0 steals per game while shooting 57.0 percent from two, 57.1 percent from three, and 82.6 percent from the line in 33.2 minutes.
Savo Drezgic 6-4 PG | Serbia | Team: Mega Basket
Drezgic had a mixed tournament but flashed elite upside with a dominant 32-point, 11-rebound, 3-assist performance against Germany that reminded scouts why he’s considered one of Serbia’s top prospects. A strong and aggressive guard who thrives attacking the rim, he finished through contact, scored in isolation, and displayed good court vision in the open floor and halfcourt. He handled physicality well and played with confidence, but his consistency and body language fluctuated, and he sometimes struggled to defend quicker guards. His team’s ninth-place finish fell short of expectations. If he improves his defensive footwork and stays engaged, his combination of power and skill gives him a chance to play at a high level. He averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, shooting 51.1 percent from two, 31.7 percent from three, and 87.9 percent from the line in 28.4 minutes.
Urban Kroflic 6-6 PG/SG | Slovenia | Team: Mega Basket
Kroflic started every game for Slovenia’s bronze-medal team and brought poise and versatility to the backcourt. A lefty combo guard with good size, he played with a natural rhythm in pick and roll and flashed soft touch around the rim, often using eurosteps to get by defenders. He has a solid stroke from three despite average percentages and was nearly automatic from the free throw line. His court vision and feel were strong, but he will need to improve his defensive footwork and physicality to reach the next level. Still just 18, Kroflic already has experience in the ABA League and earned a call-up to Slovenia’s senior team for EuroBasket 2025. He averaged 12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from two, 32.5 percent from three, and 95.2 percent from the line in 27.9 minutes.
Zak Smrekar 6-7 F | Slovenia | Team: Krka Novo Mesto
Smrekar was Slovenia’s most consistent player during their bronze medal run, earning a spot on the tournament’s Starting Five with his high-energy, and two-way play. A strong open-court athlete with a quick first step, he scored efficiently in transition, attacked closeouts with power, and cut hard off the ball for easy buckets. While not a volume shooter from three, he was confident on catch and shoot attempts and contributed across the board. Defensively, he used his size and strength to switch onto multiple positions and made an impact on the glass. His shooting form and off-the-dribble game still need refining, and his handle is limited, but his motor and production stood out. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 51.9 percent from two, 26.1 percent from three, and 74.2 percent from the line in 29.6 minutes, and is expected to join Slovenia’s senior national team for EuroBasket 2025.
Franck Belibi 6’4 Wing | Colorado Prep | 2008 Born | Cameroon
Franck Belibi was one of the younger and lesser-known international players coming into this tournament. Making the most of his opportunity, his performances definitely gave him a little shine. Franck’s best games came early in the tournament versus France and Australia. In those matchups, plus against Team USA, you saw an athletic guard with a long wingspan, rumored to be roughly 6’10 or 6’11. In those games he was able to attack the basket and score. A good self-creator, he can handle opposing pressure to find his spots. Averaging 14.4 points per game in a tournament he could play in again two years from now, you hope that in the next iteration he is able to create for others as well as he created for himself. In addition, his shot selection needs improvement, as he took two-thirds of his shots from beyond the arc, which weighed down his overall field goal percentage. A more balanced blend of attacking the rim would most likely not only increase his field goal percentage but also his three-point percentage, as he would become more selective.
Dash Daniels 6’5 PG/SG | Melbourne United | 2007 Born | Australia
Daniels was a highly anticipated non-USA NBA prospect for this event. Built similarly to his older NBA brother Dyson Daniels, he’s a tall combo guard (measured at the BWB Global All-Star Weekend at 6’5 with a 6’9.75 wingspan) with broad shoulders and athleticism. Coming in, he was viewed as a potential draft pick for the 2026 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, he had a very poor showing and will need to steadily rebuild his draft equity if he hopes to hear his name called next June. He was highly inefficient from the floor, missing finishes around the paint that he typically converts, and his jumper, always a weak point, was not falling. Normally a tenacious defender, Daniels struggled with foul trouble throughout the tournament and managed just 7 steals in 6 games. His difficult matchups against more athletic teams, particularly his 0-for-7 performance against Team USA, will stand out for the wrong reasons. That said, he did average better than a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio during the event, and he is far from the first highly regarded prospect to underperform at a U19 World Cup. Zaccharie Risacher faced similar scrutiny after his struggles at the same stage and still became the No. 1 overall pick the following June.
Jacob Furphy 6’4 SG | UConn | 2006 Born | Australia
The younger brother of Pacers wing Johnny Furphy, Jacob measured 6’4.5″ with an 8’6″ standing reach, 6’6″ wingspan, and a 28.5″ max vertical at the 2024 Basketball Without Borders. Headed to UConn, the 2006-born guard was one of the bigger names entering the tournament. The southpaw is a high IQ player with deep shooting range who averaged 16.7 points per game during the event. While he shot just 31 percent from three, he did so on high volume, averaging 7.3 attempts per contest. Though slightly slow-footed, he used his strength and body control well, even grabbing 7 or more rebounds in multiple games despite being a smaller guard. Defensively, his awareness and anticipation stood out. He excelled as a help defender and regularly jumped passing lanes, averaging over 2 steals per game.
Noa Kouakou-Heugue 6’10 PF/C | Perth Wildcats | 2007 Born | France
Noa Kouakou-Heugue is an impressive athlete with great fluidity and mobility for his size, making him a standout in transition and movement-based actions. He thrives running the floor, finishing fast breaks as a lane-filler or trailer, and brings relentless energy on the offensive glass, often outworking opponents with constant motion. One of his signature moments at the U19 World Cup was a highlight-reel dunk over a Team USA defender off a sharp top-of-the-key cut. He shows flashes of being able to play in both pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop actions, particularly from midrange, and his movement skills make him an intriguing long-term prospect. However, his impact fades in slower, post-heavy halfcourt settings. Listed between 6’9 and 6’10.5 with a reported 7’0 wingspan and 8’11.5 standing reach, he projects best as a power forward. His lack of strength and vertical explosiveness limits his ability to finish through contact or hold position against more physical defenders. A relatively new player to the sport, having picked up basketball in high school, he is still raw in terms of ball-handling and perimeter creation, and his shooting remains inconsistent. Defensively, he’s more effective as a help-side presence or roaming defender than as a primary rim protector in drop coverage.
Omer Mayer 6’4 PG/SG | Purdue | 2006 Born | Israel
Omer Mayer is a high-IQ basketball player who can shoot the leather off the ball. A combo guard measuring 6’3.5″ with a 6’6″ wingspan and an 8’3″ standing reach (2025 Nike Hoop Summit measurements), he’s on the shorter side for a shooting guard and will likely need to be a full-time point guard at the highest level. He lacks ideal speed for the position but is highly adaptable, capable of playing effectively with or without the ball. Off the ball, he’s deadly as a catch-and-shoot threat and creates space with pump fakes and sidesteps, shooting 13-of-34 from three (38.2%) despite defenses keying in on him with Ben Saraf unavailable due to NBA Summer League. He missed the last two games due to a finger injury (not severe, as he went on to play in FIBA EuroBasket U20) but still finished as the second-leading scorer of the event at 20 points per game. In halfcourt sets, he needs a solid screen to get downhill but uses his elite shooting ability and change of pace to build momentum toward the rim. He understands angles and situations well and consistently makes the right pass within the offense. As the primary ball handler, he can be turnover-prone at times but still recorded a 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio during the event. Defensively, he lacks foot speed at the point of attack but is a smart team defender who rotates well and anticipates passing lanes, averaging 2 steals per game. He also uses his physicality to compete on the glass, contributing on the defensive boards.
Lucas Morillo 6’7 SF | The Newman School | 2007 Born | Dominican Republic
Morillo is a versatile wing who finished as the second-leading scorer of the competition, averaging 20 points per game. A strong rebounder, he also averaged 9 rebounds per contest. He has good handles for his size and shows strong playmaking ability, particularly in pick-and-roll situations. Although he possesses solid court vision, his first and second instincts are to score. With good height for a wing at this level, he disrupts passing lanes and looks for quick steals to ignite fast breaks. However, as the level of competition increases, he will need to put greater effort into his defense. According to the 2025 Basketball Without Borders Global measurements, his height and wingspan are identical, and his standing reach is just 8’2″, which may limit his defensive versatility at higher levels.
Dayan Nessah 6’7 SF | Cleveland State | 2006 Born | Switzerland
Nessah, a versatile forward, recorded five double-doubles in seven games. Averaging 17.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game for the tournament, he was a consistent offensive threat. He excelled in catch-and-shoot situations, converting 14 of 27 three-point attempts. A bit of a tweener, his continued development as a perimeter shooter will be key as he progresses to higher levels. While not much of a rim protector, he contributes with deflections and occasional steals. He has good handles for his position, but finishing efficiently around the rim against taller opponents remains an area for growth. Nessah saw limited playing time at George Washington last season, which was expected after missing most of his senior year due to injury. With his strength and versatility, he should be a productive and efficient contributor at Cleveland State, particularly given the lack of size typically found at the mid-major level compared to Power 4 conferences.
Amadou Seini 7’1 C | Varese Academy | 2007 Born | Cameroon
Amadou Seini led the U19 World Cup in rebounding, averaging 15.3 per game. One of the tallest players at the event, he recently measured 7’1 with a 7’5 wingspan at Eurocamp in Treviso, making him physically imposing and a legitimate rim protector. While not the most fluid mover at this stage, he is limited to drop coverage defensively and has some struggles with quick help-side rotations, which may help explain why he totaled just 10 blocks in 10 games. Offensively, he is still very raw. He averaged 9.9 points per game in the tournament, with most of his scoring coming off lobs, putbacks, and pick-and-dive opportunities. He shows some potential on the block, using his length and underrated strength to hold position against defenders trying to push him off the post. His outside shooting remains a major area for improvement. Still, given the NBA’s renewed interest in players with 7’5-plus wingspans, Seini is clearly a long-term prospect NBA scouts will continue to monitor. Development of his shooting touch would significantly boost his case for the next level.
Yohann Sissoko 6’5 PG/SG | Florida Atlantic | 2006 Born | France
Sissoko looks the part of a high-major or potential NBA player. He has good size for a guard, a well-built frame, and quickness that stands out. With a strong crossover and a quick first step, he consistently beats defenders off the dribble and puts pressure on the paint. In transition, he’s a blur with the ball and makes excellent decisions on the break. However, in halfcourt sets, his touch around the rim is average and his jump shot remains a work in progress. College defenders will likely go under screens and dare him to shoot until he proves he can consistently knock down shots from deep. Still, his athleticism allows him to get to the rim and score despite his shooting limitations. He throws accurate lobs in pick-and-dive situations and shows some potential as a primary creator, though he needs to improve his vision and patience, allowing plays to develop instead of always looking to attack immediately. Defensively, he has the tools to be a strong point-of-attack defender and is a capable rebounder for his position. He averaged 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the tournament.
Roman Siulepa 6’5 PF | University of Pittsburgh | 2006 Born | Australia
Siulepa is currently an undersized power forward, but his physical profile and toughness separate him from most peers. A dual-sport athlete, he helped lead his high school rugby team to three straight national titles, and his commitment to rugby ultimately led to the termination of his contract with the NBL’s Next Star program and the Tasmania JackJumpers. That decision brought him to Pittsburgh, where his strength and motor should translate well. In the first half against Team USA, he showcased his raw power, bulldozing taller defenders and finishing plays with authority. One highlight was a baseline drive where he threw down a right-handed dunk through contact. Siulepa reportedly weighs over 250 pounds of muscle and uses his elite strength to stay balanced and deliver forceful finishes. He averaged 18.9 points and 8.1 rebounds, ranking top 10 in both categories for the tournament. While his physicality is elite, his shooting needs development. At his height and with just a 6’9 wingspan, he will need to shoot above 35 percent from three to succeed at the pro level, which he is not close to yet. Offensively, he can attack off cuts or straight-line drives using bully ball or a euro step, but he is not a reliable creator for others. Defensively, he is a strong rebounder and physical presence, but his low steal and block numbers raise questions about his long-term fit as a power forward.
**Eric Guilleminault contributed to this report
