Yahya Basaran: 'Biggest goal is to play in the NBA'

• Game 1: Aussie Crocs at snappy best to tip-off Cup campaign‍
• Game 2: Paul gives statisticians sore fingers in five-point win
• Game: 3: Antonio Browne sends Australia into Round of 16‍
• Game 4: Luke Paul and Antonio Browne power Australia into Canada showdown

Australian centre Yahya Basaran studies men’s basketball superstar Nikola Jokic and is a fan of near-seven-footer Kevin Durant’s ability to score the ball – it’s also his ambition to play in the NBA.

Basaran, 17, is the man in the middle for the Australian Crocs at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Türkiye this week. The Crocs face Canada in the quarter-finals tonight at 7.45pm (AEDT). The game is streamed live on YouTube.

“Ultimately, my biggest goal is to play in the NBA,” Basaran said.

“Before that, I'd like to go to college in the United States.

“If I had to name an NBA player I look up to, I'd say Kevin Durant. I really admire his shooting ability and the fact that he can do so many different things on the court.

“At the same time, I study Nikola Jokić's footwork. That's something I really try to learn from.”

Basaran is averaging 8.0 points (64%), 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 assists in 18 minutes for the 4-0 Australians.

He was dominant in Australia’s blow-out win against Serbia in the Round of 16.

• 15 points
• 7 rebounds
• 2 steals
• 2 blocks
• 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%)
• 20 efficiency rating in 22 minutes

Yahya Basaran at the 2026 FIBA Under-17 World Cup

“I think I played well over the last two or three games,” he said.

“I did the best I could, and especially in the game against Serbia, I thought we played really well.

“Tournaments like this are a great stepping stone for what's next.

“They help us on the path toward our future goals, especially because they let us experience a higher professional level. We understand the standard of play much better, and competing in these games really helps us improve.”

Basaran said the Crocs’ goal at the World Cup was simple.

“We want to win a medal,” he declared.

“So far, I think we're having a really good tournament as a team, and we're excited about what's ahead.

“Personally, I just want to play as physically as I can and show everyone how much I've improved. As a team, we're very happy, and I'm proud of this group.

“The Serbia game, in particular, was a really good performance.

“Nobody is trying to play individually. We play as a team, we share the ball, we play physically, and we're really happy with how we're performing.

“We're excited for the games that are still to come.”

Basaran plays for the Centre of Excellence in NBL1, and he said it continues to prepare him for the next level.

“At my club, I play as a centre and power forward, and I'm training and playing with some of the best players in Australia,” he said.

“Every day I'm getting better, and that's showing in my performances. Whether it's my footwork or my finishing around the basket, I'm improving in every area.

“It has been a really important step towards achieving my goals.

“As I said, you're playing with the best 12 players in the country, and you're competing in Australia's second-highest league.

“That experience is helping me improve every single day.”