By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@ YawMintYM on Twitter
Mali and Angola have been drawn in tough groups for the FIBA Under 19 World Cup due to be staged in Cairo, Egypt between July 1-9.
The African representatives qualified after finishing as the top two teams at the 2016 Under 18 African Championship held in Rwanda last year. Host Egypt has been placed in Group B alongside Germany, Puerto Rico and Lithuania.
Champions Angola has been drawn in Group D alongside heavyweights United States of America, Italy and Iran as Mali plays against Spain, Canada and Japan in Group C.
The United States are the defending champions and have won a record six titles in the Championship while Iran won the Asian Championship after beating surprise package Japan in the final.
Canada is a team on the rise as its Under 19 side has been successful in producing world class talent including Andrew Wiggins, Jamaal Murray and Nik Stauskas who ply their trade in the NBA and Spain is a European powerhouse.
With a strong foundational structure, Mali and Angola unsurprisingly have the most representatives at the Basketball Without Borders program due to be held in New Orleans during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
