Paul ready for U17 World Cup in Turkey

Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans guard Luke Paul is ready to hit the ground running in Turkey, with the Next Star leading his country at the 2026 U17 FIBA World Cup.

Listed by FIBA as one of the top prospects to take to the court in Istanbul, Paul will be looking to continue his fine form from the 2025 U16 Asia Cup to break Australia’s rough streak at the U17 World Cup.

Scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals in the Croc’s 85-58 demolition of China in the Asian Cup Final, the guard led his country undefeated through the tournament to claim MVP honours.

But while he continued Australia’s string of gold medal performances at the regional event, his country has not had the same luck at the World Cup.

Last winning a medal in 2014 with a side featuring Jack White, Dejan Vasiljevic, Isaac Humphries, Kouat Noi and Harry Froling, the Crocs have finished no higher than sixth across their last six visits to the World Cup.

As Paul looks to earn Australia’s third medal at the U17 World Cup, his side will face the fifth seeded Serbia, and debutants Côte d'Ivoire and Venezuela in the Group Stages.

Their group-stage results will be crucial in shaping their path through the knockout rounds, with a favourable finish setting up a clash against New Zealand, Slovenia, Puerto Rico or Turkey on Wednesday night.

From there, the Crocs will need to keep winning as they seek an elusive World Cup medal.

All Group and Round of 16 games will be broadcast live on the FIBA YouTube channel, with the action starting on Saturday night at 9:45pm when Australia face Serbia. The Final Phase Games (Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, Finals) will be available on Courtside 1891.

2026 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Australian Squad

‍Luke Paul - Cairns Taipans, NBL

Riak Akhuar - Wyndham Basketball, WA

John Aryang - East Perth Eagles, NBL1 West

Ahmet Yahya Basaran - Centre of Excellence, NBL1 East

Antonio Browne - Centre of Excellence, NBL1 East

Lucas Byrne - Ballarat Miners, NBL1 South

Tom Dammers - Nunawading Spectres, NBL1 South

William Hamilton - Centre of Excellence, NBL1 East

Isaiah Jorgenson - Northside Wizards, NBL1 North

Alexander Mabbott - Nunawading Spectres

John McCann - Eltham Wildcats, NBL1 South

Andrew Watene - Logan Thunder, NBL1 North

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Fixtures

Australia v Serbia - 9:45pm (AEST) Saturday, 27 June

Côte d'Ivoire v Australia - 7:30pm (AEST) Sunday, 28 June

Venezuela v Australia - 12:30am (AEST) Wednesday, 1 July

Round of 16 - Time and opponent TBC, Wednesday, 1 July