Some of basketball's most exciting young players are preparing to represent their home nations, with the men's FIBA U19 World Cup quickly approaching.
The Australian men's team - the Emus - are expected to be one of the top contending nations, vying for glory against the favourites USA.
Despite losing one of their key players in NBA Draft hopeful Rocco Zikarsky, Australia will still feature some of the most elite talent in the competition, as they look to win the tournament for just the second time, following their maiden title in 2003.
NBA Draft prospect Rocco Zikarsky reportedly withdraws from FIBA U19 World Cup
The Emus will be without one of their star players at the 2025 U19 FIBA World Cup, with Rocco Zikarsky reportedly withdrawing from the competition, according to ESPN's Olgun Uluc.
The former Brisbane Bullets big-man was initially committed to the team, but the timing of the tournament coinciding with the 2025 NBA Draft has instead seen him head to New York with the hope of hearing his name read out.
7-foot-4 Australian Rocco Zikarsky showing his outrageous 9'6 1/2 standing reach in the standing vertical jump test at the NBA draft combine pic.twitter.com/hyP9WZVTgX
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025
Zikarsky is currently viewed as a mid-to-late second round pick, with Sporting News' latest Mock Draft having him selected at pick 39 by the Toronto Raptors.
Australian Emus FIBA U19 World Cup squad
Despite losing their man in the middle, Australia will still head to Switzerland with a roster stacked with talent.
The name to each will no doubt be Dash Daniels, the projected 2026 top 10 pick and brother of NBA player Dyson Daniels, who will lead the team before spending a season as a Next Star for Melbourne United.
Other standouts are expected to include Roman Siulepa, the long-awaited Queensland star, as well as both Jacob Furphy and Emmett Adair, and the squad will be coached by Robbie McKinlay.
| PLAYER | STATE |
| Emmett Adair | NSW |
| Che Brogan | VIC |
| Alex Dickeson | SA |
| Dash Daniels | NSW |
| Luke Fennell | VIC |
| Jacob Furphy | TAS |
| Mading Kuany | VIC |
| Ajak Nyuon | ACT |
| Roman Siulepa | QLD |
| Nash Walker | TAS |
| Jack Whitbourn | VIC |