By CHARLIE PARENT & SAM LANCE
USA Basketball announced the U17 roster Wednesday for the upcoming 2024 FIBA World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, set to take place June 29-July 7.
The roster features the class of 2024’s top two players AJ Dybansta and Cameron Boozer, along with Boozer’s four-star brother Cayden Boozer. The twins are sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.
The nation’s top three rising juniors were also selected, signifying a nice batch of youth. Top 2026 prospect Brandon McCoy Jr. headlines the group with Tyran Stokes, who has made headlines throughout this summer, and Caleb Holt. Chipotle Nationals runner-up Jordan Smith of Paul VI (VA.) also makes the roster as one of the premier two-way players in the country.
“Making the USA team is a dream come true,” Smith told ZAGSBLOG. “After getting cut from U16, I used it as motivation and a learning experience. Playing in Turkey is going to be a great experience and I can’t wait to play in front of different people.”
A pair of this spring’s top performers Jalen Haralson and Chris Cenac Jr. will take the floor for the USA as well. Cenac recently transferred to national powerhouse Link Academy (MO.) and new head coach Chad Myers.
Top-50 2025 center Jaden Toombs, 2025 five-star Koa Peat and top-60 2025 guard JJ Mandaquit round out the roster.
“This means everything to me,” Toombs told ZAGSBLOG. “Representing my country and showing the world what I can do is a honor. I’m excited to go to battle and get a gold medal with these guys!”
USA will take on France on June 29 to begin group play, followed by Guinea on June 30 and China on July 2. Since the U17 World Cup inception in 2010, the US has won every tournament, totaling six gold medals as the event is played every two years.
Follow Charlie on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookIntroducing the 2024 USA Men's U17 National Team 👊
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) June 19, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMU17 pic.twitter.com/c5meaLoOyF
