Following five days of training camp in Colorado Springs, three of the Grind Session’s top stars – AJ Dybantsa and JJ Mandaquit of Utah Prep, and Tyran Stokes of Prolific Prep – have been named to USA Basketball’s 12-man roster for the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup from June 29-July 7 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The U17 national team, representing high school graduating classes of 2025 and 2026, was chosen from the camp’s 34 participants and selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Developmental National Team Committee.
This marks the second consecutive summer that Dybantsa, Mandaquit, and Stokes have been tapped to represent the United States at a major international tournament. All three played on the U16 team that won gold at last year’s FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico.
“The sense of pride to wear USA across your chest is a feeling I can’t explain. This year I was super focused on doing all I could to have the chance to represent our country again,” said Mandaquit. “Making the team is a great honor, but to go to Türkiye and bring home a gold medal is the mission. I believe we have the talent to do it and making that come true will be my greatest triumph so far.”
The seventh edition of the FIBA Men’s U17 World Cup will feature 16 teams from around the world, all of which will advance to the single-elimination tournament after group play.
A member of Group B, Team USA will take on France in their opening game (June 29; 10:30 a.m. EST). They’ll face Guinea (June 30; 8:00 a.m. EST) for the first time ever in their second game, before closing out their Group B play against China (July 2; 5:30 a.m. EST). All games will be streamed live on FIBA’s YouTube channel.
Dating back to 2010, the Americans have won the gold medal at each iteration of the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup, most recently taking down Spain in the championship in 2022. In addition to six consecutive gold medals, the U.S. has not lost a game in tournament history (44-0 all-time record).
“The high school basketball landscape in the United States boasts unparalleled depth, and it’s a tremendous honor for these boys to represent our country at the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup,” said Grind Session CEO Scott Waldrop. “The commitment they’ve shown is unmatched and I look forward to watching them take on the world in Istanbul.”
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