'Yaya' Basaran part of Vic Metro Crocs' domination

• Every player at the 2026 Under-18 National Championships‍
• Victorious: Metro stars Madi Ryan and Ahmet Yahya Basaran land double gold
• U18 stars Lucas Byrne and Daisy Hocking earn U17 call-up

Four of Victoria Metro's dominant 2026 Under-18 National Championship team – Riak Akhuar, Ahmet Yahya Basaran, William Hamilton and Josh McCann – have made the Australian Under-17 Crocs World Cup team, Basketball Australian revealed today.

Victoria Metro won gold, beating NSW Metro 101-78 at the nationals in April. Basaran was elite with 18 points on 9-from-12 shooting and 12 rebounds, anchoring both ends.

West Australian NBL Next Star guard Luke Paul will  lead the backcourt alongside Andrew Watene and Tom Dammers, while versatile forward Antonio Browne, the only player from NSW, gives the Crocs flexibility across multiple positions.

Queenslander Isaiah Jorgenson also adds positional versatility, while 6’8” wing Akhuar – younger brother of Australian prospect Roor Akhuar – brings size and perimeter skill to the lineup.

Australia’s frontcourt rotation is built around length and mobility with John Aryang, McCann, Lucas Byrne, “Yaya” Basaran, Alexander Mabbott and Hamilton all providing size against elite international competition.

The FIBA Under-17 World Cup is in Istanbul between June 27 and and July 5, 2026. All games will be broadcast live on the FIBA YouTube channel.

Australian Crocs – Final 12 for FIBA U17 World Cup

• Riak Akhuar (Victoria Metro)
• John Aryang (Western Australia Metro)
• Ahmet Yahya Basaran (Victoria Metro)
• Antonio Browne (New South Wales Metro)
• Lucas Byrne (Victoria Country)
• Tom Dammers (Victoria Metro)
• William Hamilton (Victoria Country)
• Isaiah Jorgenson (Queensland South)
• Alexander Mabbott (Victoria)
• Josh McCann (Victoria Metro)
• Luke Paul (Western Australia Metro)
• Andrew Watene (Queensland South)

The five players who were part of the extended 17-player squad but did not make the final Australian Crocs roster for the FIBA U17 World Cup were:

• Alexander Edwards (Western Australia Metro)
• Awak Machar (South Australia Metro)
• Emin Joldic (New South Wales Metro)
• Keenan Lawrence-Williams (South Australia Metro)
• Riley Saville (New South Wales Country)

Australian Crocs – FIBA U17 World Cup Schedule (AEST)

Saturday, June 27

• 🇦🇺 Australia vs Serbia — 9:45PM AEST

Sunday, June 28

• Côte d’Ivoire vs 🇦🇺 Australia — 7:30PM AEST

Wednesday, July 1

• Venezuela vs 🇦🇺 Australia — 12:30AM AEST

All games will be played in Istanbul, Türkiye.