The FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 concluded in Türkiye, wrapping up a week of high‑octane basketball that saw the host nation’s Emus clinch their second straight title. The tournament ran from June 27 to July 5, drawing teams from across the continent to compete for the coveted crown.
In the championship game, the Emus edged China 89‑79, a victory that secured back‑to‑back crowns and was highlighted by the standout performance of 17‑year‑old center Yahya Basaran, who was named Tournament MVP. Basaran finished the final with 13 points on 5‑of‑7 shooting, pulled down four rebounds and swatted two shots.
MVP Honors and All‑Star Five
The All‑Star Five, announced after the tournament, featured Basaran alongside Australia’s Jai Fa'ale, China’s Zhang Yizhaojie, New Zealand’s Jackson Ball and Korea’s Yoon Jihoon. Fa'ale contributed 19 points, including a quartet of outside shots that sparked a late 7‑0 run, while Zhang led China with 20 points and five rebounds.
Ball, who represented the Junior Tall Blacks, scored 29 points in the Third‑Place Game against Korea, underscoring the competitiveness of the tournament. Yoon Jihoon added 27 points against Japan and 26 against Chinese Taipei, helping Korea advance to the Final Four.
Beyond the final, the competition also produced a bronze‑medal clash where the Junior Tall Blacks of New Zealand overcame Korea, with Ball delivering a 29‑point outburst that capped a strong showing for Oceania. Coach and teammates alike praised Basaran’s leadership, noting that his presence in the paint altered the tempo of every match and helped the Emus defend a title they had only just captured a year earlier.