Crocs clinch third place at U17 World Cup

Photo: fiba.basketball

It was a significant challenge for the Australian Crocs up against the host nation Türkiye in the third place game at the FIBA U17 World Cup but another standout display from NBL Next Star Luke Paul saw them claim the 77-69 victory.

As a result the Crocs have scored their best finish at an U17 World Cup since silver medal performances in both 2012 and 2014.

Since then the Crocs have finished seventh, sixth, sixth and 15th at the World Cups but this team of 2026 was on a mission under coach Greg Vanderjagt and with Paul running the show as a point guard ahead of joining the Cairns Taipans for NBL27.

The Crocs won their opening five matches in Istanbul including beating Slovenia in the Round 16 and then Canada in the quarter finals before missing out on a place in the gold medal match with the loss to the USA.

There was still a chance to come away with a medal but it was going to be tough going with the home fans right behind Türkiye to try and will their team to the bronze.

It was a scorching start from Australia with 30 points to 12 in the opening quarter on the back of shooting 65 per cent from the field to the 26 from Türkiye including hitting 4/6 from downtown to 0/3.

The Crocs were then leading 49-32 by half-time while still shooting 47 per cent to the 35 from the hosts with Yahya Basaran up to 12 points with Will Hamilton adding nine and John Aryang eight along with another huge dunk – this time of the one-handed variety.

The tension and spice in the game went up a gear in the third quarter. Türkiye were able to ride that emotion into 22 points to 12 with 5/9 three-point shooting to cut the lead of the Crocs to just 61-54 by three quarter-time.

Omer Kutluay gave Türkiye a glimmer of hope with a three-pointer with just over 30 seconds left to cut the lead of the Crocs to five, but Paul was able to make 3/4 at the foul line down the stretch to end up securing the bronze medal for Australia with the eight-point victory.

Paul ended up as the star once more for the Crocs finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists with 9/13 free-throw shooting.

Will Hamilton added 16 points with 3/5 three-point shooting while Yahya Basaran contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds, John Aryang 11 points, four boards and three steals, and Antonio Browne five points and six assists.

Omer Kutluay finished with 32 points with 5/8 three-point shooting for Türkiye to go with seven rebound and five assists.

Australia 77 – Türkiye 69

Stat leaders

Luke Paul – 19 PTS, 10 REB, 7 AST
Will Hamilton – 16 PTS, 3/5 3PT
Yahya Basaran – 14 PTS, 10 REB
John Arayang – 11 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL
Antonio Browne – 5 PTS, 6 AST, 2 STL

Fixtures

Australia def Serbia 88-66: Saturday, June 27
Australia def Côte d'Ivoire 78-73: Sunday, June 28
Australia def Venezuela 75-47: Wednesday, July 1
Australia def Slovenia 104-75: Thursday, July 2 (Round of 16)
Australia def Canada 100-86: Friday, July 3 (Quarter Finals)
Australia def by USA 65-114: Sunday, July 5 (Semi Finals)
Australia def Türkiye 77-69: Monday, July 6 (Third Place Game)