The 2018 FIBA U18 Asia Championship is set to tip off in Thailand this coming Sunday, August 5, where sixteen teams will vie for four berths to the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.
This is the first ever FIBA U18 Asia tourney with both Australia and New Zealand joining, and their entry raises the level of competition quite significantly.
2016 champion Iran returns to the fray ready to defend its title, while 11-time champion China hopes to regain its place among the elite after finishing outside of the top 4 for the first time since 2008. Both the Boomers and Tall Blacks, of course, will contend for the World Cup berths, while traditional Asian powerhouses Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and the Philippines are also expected to impress.
Let's continue our coverage with a preview of Group C.
AUSTRALIA
FIBA Boys Rank: 9thPrevious U18 Asia: n/a
Size: Average height is 6'4; Tallest players are Sam Froling (6'11), Callum Dalton (6'9), Jashua Gatbel, and Kyle Bowen (both 6'8)
Experience: One player with experience in the 2017/2018 FIBA U16 Asian Championship and 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, Five players with experience at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Cup
Projected top players:
Sam Froling (C)
Kody Stattmann (G)
Sean Macdonald (G)
Outlook:
- top team in Group C; makes it to the Final
- practically a shoo-in to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup
It's easy to pencil Australia as shoo-ins for one of the four U19 World Cup bids up for grabs in this competition, and that's because they are pretty much a notch about the rest of the teams here. Yes, even when ranged against perennial powerhouse China, defending champs Iran, ballyhooed Philippines, fellow Oceania side New Zealand, and traditional contenders Korea, Japan, and Lebanon. You name it, the Emus have it -- be it size and depth at every position, experience playing at the world level, and potential to make it to the US NCAA or the NBA. Expect them to play with a chip on their shoulders, too, since they missed the U19 World Cup in 2017 for the first time ever. They definitely want to return to the big dance. Needless to say, it'll be extremely difficult for any team to defeat the Aussies here in Nonthaburi, and though it's not entirely impossible, the Green & Gold will likely run the board en route to their 13th appearance at the U19 World Cup.
NEW ZEALAND
FIBA Boys Rank: 33rdPrevious U18 Asia: n/a; Qualified for 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup (11th place)
Size: Average height is 6'5; Tallest players are James Moors and Samuel Mennenga (both 6'8), and Maxim Stephens (6'7)
Experience: One player with experience at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup
Projected top players:
Max Darling (PF)
Flynn Cameron (PG)
Oscar Oswald (SF)
The Junior Tall Blacks have arrived in Bangkok ahead of the FIBA Asian Championship this weekend. More info on the team's roster and schedule can be found here: https://t.co/lq5sIN0gyM #FIBAU18Asia pic.twitter.com/gaZy4hzryy— Basketball NZ (@BasketballNZ) August 2, 2018
Outlook:
- 2nd place team in Group C; makes it at least to Quarter-Finals
- dark horse contender to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup
The Junior Tall Blacks made history in 2017 when they qualified for the U19 World Cup and the Aussies were left at home. The U18 Kiwis are surely aiming for a repeat appearance in the worlds, but they may have their work cut out for them here in Nonthaburi. For starters, being in the same group as Australia likely means New Zealand will have to go through the knock-out Qualification to the Quarter-Finals phase, where they can expect to meet either India or Chinese Taipei. Neither of those teams is gonna be easy to beat, so the Junior Tall Blacks should expect one stiff challenge after another. They have the talent to do well, though, especially with U19 World Cup veteran Flynn Cameron leading the way alongside Canterbury Ram phenom Maxwell Darling and Oceania U18 Qualifiers leading scorer Oscar Oswald.
THAILAND
FIBA Boys Rank: 67thPrevious U18 Asia: 11th place
Size: Average height is 6'0; Tallest players are Phongphuet Thuphairo (6'6), Panupong Janchai (6'5), and Kantapat Saridnet (6'3)
Experience: Two players with experience in the 2016 FIBA U18 Asian Championship and five players players with experience in the 2015 FIBA U16 Asia Championship
Projected top players:
Pongsakorn Jaimsawad (F)
Chaiyapong Thanarojwongsa (C)
Witchaya Phithakphawasutthi (G)
Outlook:
- 3rd place team in Group C; makes it to Qualification to Quarter-Finals
- not expected to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup
It's interesting that host country Thailand chose to be in such a loaded group, but they're probably thinking if they can finish among the top three, they have a chance to upset either Chinese Taipei or India in the next round. That's easier said than done, of course, but expect the Thais to be pumped up and ready to meet the challenge. 2016 U18 Asia veterans Pongsakorn Jaimsawad and Chaiyapong Thanarojwongsa should play key roles for the national team here, while the likes of Witchaya Phithakphawasutthi, Tanawat Preechahan, and Phongphuet Thuphairo can put up significant contributions. The odds are going to be stacked against Thailand when they take on Australia and New Zealand, but they have a legitimate shot of punching tickets to the next round if they can upend GBA champs Bahrain.
BAHRAIN
FIBA Boys Rank: 60thPrevious U18 Asia: n/a
Size: Average height is 6'0; Tallest players are Muzamil Hamoda and Karim Aboukuora (both 6'6) and Rashed Awadh (6'3)
Experience: Two players with experience in the 2015 FIBA U16 Asian Championship
Projected top players:
Baqer Ali (PG)
Kari Aboukuora (C)
Mustafa Rashed (G)
Outlook:
- 4th place team in Group C; eliminated after group stage
- not expected to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup
The Bahraini quintet has a lot of firepower. They showed that when the won the U18 GBA Qualifiers, but at this level, they will need more than potent offense to notch victories, especially against the bigger and deeper Aussies and Kiwis. The frontcourt duo of Muzamil Hamoda and Karim Aboukuora -- both 6'6 -- will be the lynchpin of Bahrain's play here in Nonthaburi, but they will also lean on the playmaking of Baqer Ali and shooting of Mustafa Rashed. Bahrain will enter this competition with tempered expectations, having last played in 2012 and finishing 2-6 then. I'm sure they know they can beat Thailand and nab the third spot in this group, but I'm also sure they know they can just as easily fall short and return home winless.
Check out all our #FIBAU18Asia Group Previews by clicking on the following!
Group A Preview
Group B Preview
Group D Preview
Images from FIBA.basketball.
Check out the official coverage of the FIBA U18 Asia Championship from the tournament's official website HERE.
FOR MORE 2018 FIBA U18 ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE, CHECK OUT THIS LINK!
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ON TWITTER: @hoopnut
LIKE OUR FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK, TOO!
