Meet the tallest, shortest and youngest players in the U17 World Cup 2026

ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - We've checked the data to see who are the tallest, shortest, and youngest players competing in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026.

Jeremy Gohier is the latest Canadian giant to burst onto the international basketball scene. Following in the footsteps of Zach Edey and Olivier Rioux, Gohier, who is also one of the youngest players in the event, already represented Canada at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025 last summer. He was a real presence in the paint, averaging a 4.8 efficiency rating in just 10 minutes per game while posting a +6.7 plus-minus.

Behind him come four more true seven-footers, followed by USA star Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje.

Keji Koshi is by far the shortest player in the competition. But he might very well be one of the most dangerous.

Last summer at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025, he came within a whisker of leading Japan to the bronze medal in a classic thriller against Australia. Japan fell 93–92, but Koshi scored 24 points in 27 minutes and was absolutely clutch down the stretch.

He finished the tournament with impressive numbers, averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 43 percent from three-point range. He proved once again that, in Japan, heart wins over height. Is he the next Yuki Kawamura?

Behind him, Aaron Towo-Nansi of France, one of Europe's most highly regarded prospects, has already logged impressive minutes with Cholet's professional team. Keep an eye on him in the days to come.

All of those talented players are young. But Edwin Mbakop Dija and Chris Echezuria are the only two players born in 2011, making them the youngest participants in the tournament.

Will either of them see playing time at the first FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup of their careers? Whatever happens on the court, simply being part of this stage at such a young age is already a remarkable achievement.

The experience of sharing the locker room with older teammates and competing against the world's best young talent could prove invaluable for their development. Their time may not be now -but this could very well be where their international journey begins.