Sons of LeBron, Melo, Boozer plus 2022 U17 champ Koa Peat headline USA preliminary roster
COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - The sons of NBA superstars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Gilbert Arenas and Trevor Ariza as well as past champion Koa Peat headline the United States' 36-player preliminary roster for training camp ahead of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024.
The player pool for the camp which starts on June 15 in Colorado Springs also features 10 of the 12 players who helped USA win the title at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2023 and secure a chance to win their seventh straight U17 World Cup crown. Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer - the twin sons of former Olympic champion Carlos Boozer, were on the team along with AJ Dybantsa, Caleb Holt, JJ Mandaquit, Brandon McCoy, Jalen Montonati, Peat, Darryn Peterson and Tyran Stokes.
Peat a summer earlier was named to the All-Star Five of the U17 World Cup 2022 in Malaga after averaging 9.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks despite being two years younger.
Koa Peat at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup
Also aiming for spots on the final 12-man team that will compete in Istanbul from June 29-July 7 are Bryce James, the second son of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony's son Kiyan Anthony.
The three fathers Anthony, Boozer and James competed together at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics - first going through the disappointment of taking only bronze at Athens 2004 and then winning gold together at Beijing 2008.
Dwyane Wade, Carlos Boozer, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony at 2008 Olympics
Also on the list are Gilbert Arenas' son Alijah Arenas and Trevor Ariza's son Tajh Ariza while Elijah Williams is the son of former NBA nine-year veteran and current Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams.
The list is also highlighted by many of the top young players in US high school basketball. Dybantsa is ranked No. 1 in ESPN's Top 100 in the class of 2025. Others in the top 25 are both Boozer brothers, Peterson, Peat, Jalen Haralson and Akai Fleming.
USA head coach Sharman White will also have to choose from some of the greatest in the class of 2026. Included in the top 15 are No. 1 Tyran Stokes as well as Arenas, Ariza, Jason Crowe, Holt, McCoy, Montonati, Jordan Smith and Williams.
USA's preliminary roster for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 | ||||
Davion Adkins | Kayden Allen | Kiyan Anthony | Alijah Arenas | Tajh Ariza |
Cameron Boozer | Cayden Boozer | DeWayne Brown II | Chris Cenac Jr. | Junior County |
Jason Crowe Jr. | AJ Dybantsa | Anthony Felesi | Akai Fleming | Kingston Flemings |
Caleb Gaskins | Jalen Haralson | Cameron Holmes | Caleb Holt | Bryce James |
Taylen Kinney | JJ Mandaquit | Brandon McCoy Jr. | Dylan Mingo | Kayden Mingo |
Jalen Montonati | Adam Oumiddoch | Koa Peat | Darryn Peterson | Jalen Reece |
Steven Reynolds | Deron Rippey Jr. | Jordan Smith Jr., | Tyran Stokes | Jaden Toombs |
Elijah Williams |
The Americans have been drawn into Group B with China, France and Guinea. USA have never lost in the U17 World Cup competition's history with six consecutive undefeated gold medals. USA are 44-0 all time in the competition dating back to the inaugural event in 2010.
FIBA