MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup has witnessed many of best players in the world over the last 40-plus years since it began in 1979. But who are the biggest names to play in the first 16 editions?
Check here who will be playing:
We went through the archives and put together a list of the top 50 players and are breaking it down into five articles. Here is the first piece with places 50-41.
Muresan was a giant of a man, towering over competition at 7ft 7in (2.31m). The Romanian would end of playing 5 years in the NBA. But he also helped Romania reach the U19 World Cup for the only time in 1991 and he starred on the global stage with 24.1 points per game. With Muresan dominating the paint, Romania would finish in fifth place.
Holmgren was named Most Valuable Player of the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks. After one season at Gonzaga, Holmgren was the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He missed his entire first season and then was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2024. The center has helped Oklahoma City reach the NBA Finals in 2025.
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Redick only played a combined 11 minutes in 2 games and scored 1 point in the U19 World Cup in 2003. The sharpshooter played 15 years in the NBA as one of the best outside threats, shooting 41.5 percent on three-pointers over his career. He also became the first active NBA player to run a podcast during his playing days. After retiring in 2021 as a player, Redick began his coaching career as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2024-25 season.
Marcus Smart helped USA win the title in 2013
Smart helped USA win the U19 World Cup title in 2013 as he collected 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.4 steals. Smart is one of the best defensive players in the world, three times making the NBA All-Defensive First Team and winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 as a leader with Boston. Smart, who just completed his 11th NBA season, also played for USA at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.
Yi Jianlian played many years for China
Yi starred at the 2003 U19 World Cup, averaging 18.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. The big man was just 19 years old in 2004 when he played at the Olympics in Athens. It was the first of four Olympics for Yi, who also played in three FIBA Basketball World Cups and won three FIBA Asia Cups. After five seasons in the NBA, he returned to China in 2012 and played with Guangdong until 2023.
Hachimura helped Japan to their best-ever showing at the U19 World Cup in 2017 with 10th place. He was the second-leading scorer with 20.6 points and ranked third with 11.0 rebounds. He also was the leading scorer of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2014 with 22.6 points per game. Hachimura is the undisputed leader of the Japanese senior national team. He also has established himself in the NBA, making the All-Rookie Team in 2020 and being traded from Washington to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023.
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Willy Hernangomez at the 2013 U19 World Cup
Hernangomez played a major role for Spain at the U19 World Cup in 2013, averaging 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. The center would be a winner on the international senior level, winning the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and two FIBA EuroBaskets in 2015 and 2022 - the latter as Most Valuable Player. Hernangomez in addition helped Spain to bronze in the 2016 Olympics. He also has played in the NBA for seven seasons before returning to Europe in 2023.
Jordan contributed 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds to a USA side that took second place at the U19 World Cup in 2007. The big man later played for the USA senior team and won the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, chipping in 7.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. Jordan is playing his 17th season in the NBA, making the All-NBA First Team in 2016 and twice being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He helped Denver win the 2023 NBA title.
Gregor Fucka was a long-time veteran with Italy's senior national team
Fucka carried Italy to second place at the U19 World Cup in 1991, averaging a team-high 15.1 points. The big man helped Italy's senior national team to second place at FIBA EuroBasket 1997 and the country took the European crown in 1999, with Fucka winning the Most Valuable Player trophy. He also starred at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 1998 and the 2000 Olympics.
At FIBA EuroBasket 2013, Linas Kleiza matched his second place finish from the 2003 U19 World Cup
Kleiza was the leading scorer of the 2003 U19 World Cup but he could only lead Lithuania to second place. He averaged 29.1 points per game to go with 8.9 rebounds per game. Kleiza would later play at two FIBA Basketball World Cups, taking third place in 2010, and also helped carry Lithuania to second place at FIBA EuroBasket 2013 and third place on the continent in 2007. Kleiza also played seven seasons in the NBA.
Disclaimer: This content is not an official ranking from FIBA. It is created solely to enhance the experience of the fans following the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025.
This content is updated from the series published in 2023.
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