Ranking the Best Players on Team USA's U17 World Championship Roster

Now that USA Basketball has selected the 12-man team for the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships in Spain starting next Thursday, it is time to look over the key players on the roster for the prestigious tournament.

Coming off of a gold medal in the 2015 U16 FIBA Americas, the Americans will bring back six players from that team, including tournament MVP Gary Trent Jr. and other important pieces such as Wendell Carter Jr. and Kevin Knox.

This year's U17 roster has a lot of talented players from the classes of 2016, 2017 and 2018, featuring both experience and talent. The U17 world championships run from next Thursday to July 3 in Zaragoza, Spain.

These rankings are not an indicator of future success over the course of a career, but rather, they're a look into which players will contribute the most to the team that is playing for a gold medal in this tournament. 

10. Javonte Smart, Guard

Camp performance: One of the best guards in camp was the 6'4" Javonte Smart. The Louisiana native showed why he's one of the premier players in the class of 2018. Smart was effective as a ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations while also making plays as a scorer.

World Championship expectations: The guards on this team are going to be interchangeable depending on the matchup. Smart already has the benefit of being a reserve on last year's team, so he should know what to expect. As a bigger and more athletic guard, Smart has a nice balance compared to some of the team's smaller guards.

9. Immanuel Quickley, Point Guard

Camp performance: Bursting onto the scene this week was the class of 2018 guard from Baltimore. The 6'3" Immanuel Quickley was impressive changing his pace, reading high ball screens and finding shots for teammates if he wasn't getting to the rack. Also knocking in a few jumpers, Quickley looked poised beyond his years at times during camp.

World Championship expectations: With his size, speed and athleticism, Quickley should be a matchup nightmare at point guard for smaller and less athletic teams. If Quickley can make some shots, he's going to be a tough cover, and he's another nice contrast from some of the team's smaller guards.

8. Collin Sexton, Guard

Camp performance: Bringing a tremendous amount of intensity to the camp was the 6'2" guard from Georgia. After leading the Nike EYBL in scoring by nearly nine points this spring, Sexton scored the ball in multiple ways while also showing some growth as a floor leader and point guard. Competitive in every drill, Sexton raised the intensity of the camp.

World Championship expectations: Not many players come to a USA Basketball event for the first time and are able to make a team, but it's a testament to Sexton's ability and competitive nature. A natural scorer, Sexton could be asked to be a spark-plug scorer for this team.

7. Markus Howard, Point Guard

Camp performance: Already a veteran of USA Basketball as one of the key pieces of last year's team, the future Marquette freshman guard was one of the team's leaders in terms of how to go through drills and show maximum effort. Playing feisty perimeter defense and running offense while hitting shots, Howard brings a lot of USA experience.

World Championship expectations: Last summer was a breakout campaign for the 5'11" guard as Howard averaged 15.0 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the field. On this year's team, Howard will again be expected to hit perimeter shots while also providing tough defense all over the floor.

6. Jordan Brown, Forward

Camp performance: One of the most talented big men in the Class of 2018, the 6'10" Brown really made strides as the week went on as he proved to be a talented post scorer and rim protector. Once the scrimmages started, Brown stood out thanks to his high basketball IQ and ability to make plays on both ends of the floor.

World Championship expectations: As a reserve big man in last year's FIBA Americas, Brown already knows what to expect in international competition as he averaged 9.4 points per game and shot 55 percent from the field. Now that he's grown as a player, Brown could be asked to do more, especially if Austin Wiley is still getting his wind while recovering from injury.

5. Austin Wiley, Center

Camp performance: The Auburn commit is recently returning from an ankle injury and looked dominant at times during the U17 camp. Scoring in multiple ways, including hooks, pick-and-pop jumpers and alley-oop finishes, the 6'10" Wiley was a force around the basket. The only concern is Wiley's conditioning, since he just returned to the court in mid-May.

World Championship expectations: If Wiley is healthy and able to play his expected minutes then he's an absolute force on the interior, especially if he's playing with one of the other talented American big men. Wiley can protect the rim, score around the basket and brings a lot of size and athleticism to the frontcourt for this team.

4. Troy Brown, Guard

Camp performance: The camp's best player might have been the 6'6" Brown, who looked like a player who finally figured out everything it took to be a truly elite 5-star prospect. Brown got better as the week went along as his jumper looked much improved while he rebounded and handled the ball when needed.

World Championship expectations: If Brown can replicate his camp performance and add to the team's experienced core three from last year, then the Americans will have a ridiculous number of weapons in terms of scoring and handling the ball. Brown's versatility gives him the ability to play up to four positions in the tournament, and he'll be a key piece for this team. 

3. Wendell Carter Jr., Forward

Camp performance: A veteran from the U16 FIBA Americas team, the 6'10" Carter was a major tone-setter for the camp as he was a major presence on the glass and scoring around the basket. As one of the camp's most competitive players, Carter was one of the team's go-to players on the block once again.

World Championship expectations: As the team's leading rebounder from last year's U16 FIBA Americas team, Carter will be counted on to anchor the glass while also scoring in the post. Since Carter's skill level has improved since last year, it'll be intriguing to see if he's able to provide a face-up game.

2. Kevin Knox, Forward

Camp performance: Last year, the 6'8" Knox was the last man invited before making the team and playing a key role. Now, as a legitimate 5-star prospect, Knox was one of the camp's leaders as he played well above the rim on both ends, blocked shots and rebounded at a high level. With an improved skill level, Knox is also a more polished scorer.

World Championship expectations: Knox is going to be counted on as one of the team's leading scorers this year since he could be the most athletic player in the tournament. Another versatile player with an ability to play multiple spots on the floor, Knox could also be a defensive terror who holds down multiple spots on that end of the floor. 

1. Gary Trent Jr., Guard

Camp performance: Whenever Gary Trent Jr. is in the gym, he commands respect as a scorer and overall leader. The U17 camp was no different as Trent scored from multiple spots on the floor and also showed more commitment on the defensive end than ever before. Also displaying more ability to pass the ball, Trent looked like the kind of well-rounded player that the team needs.

World Championship expectations: The American roster is certainly talented with a lot of pieces who are elite at many different skills, but Trent is one of the only players who can regularly create his own shot. With the tournament having a short shot clock, Trent will be a key player at the end of possessions when the clock is running down. After last summer's FIBA Americas MVP performance, Trent will be expected to be a big-time scorer.

Recruiting ratings courtesy of 247Sports.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.