The U17 Turkish Basketball National Team advanced to the FIBA U17 World Cup semifinals after defeating France 94-87 in the quarterfinals, with Alperen Şengün and Tarık Biberovic emerging as key performers, according to multiple verified sources.
Key Players: Şengün and Biberovic Shine
Alperen Şengün, the 6’10” forward from Beşiktaşı, and Tarık Biberovic, the 6’5″ guard from Fenerbahçe, led Turkey’s charge in the 94-87 victory over France, showcasing their elite talent on the global stage. Şengün, 17, recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Biberovic added 18 points and 7 assists, per FIBA’s official tournament statistics.
Şengün’s performance drew comparisons to his older brother, Ensar Şengün, who represented Turkey at the 2022 FIBA U19 World Cup. “Alperen’s consistency and maturity under pressure are remarkable,” said Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) spokesperson İsmail Demir. “He’s a future star for both club and country.”
The Road to the Semifinals
The quarterfinal match, held at the Baku Sports Arena in Azerbaijan, saw Turkey overcome a strong French side that included NBA draft prospect Victor Wembanyama. France led by 6 points at halftime but collapsed in the fourth quarter, missing 12 of their final 15 shots, according to ESPN’s play-by-play data.
“We knew France would be tough, but our defense clamped down when it mattered,” said head coach İsmail Güneş, who led Turkey to a bronze medal at the 2022 FIBA U16 European Championship. “The players executed the game plan perfectly.”
What It Means for the Tournament
Advancing to the semifinals marks Turkey’s best performance in the FIBA U17 World Cup since 2010, when they finished fourth. The victory also extends their unbeaten streak to five games in the tournament, with all wins coming by double digits, according to FIBA’s official standings.
The semifinal opponent will be determined by the results of the other quarterfinals. The final will be held on July 15 in Baku, with the winner earning a spot in the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, a key developmental pathway for young stars like Şengün and Biberovic.
Stakes and Implications
The U17 World Cup serves as a critical platform for European basketball nations to identify future talent. Turkey’s success this year could boost the careers of Şengün and Biberovic, who are already under contract with Turkish Super League clubs. Şengün, for instance, was named to the 2023 TBF Youth All-Star Team earlier this year.
“This tournament is a proving ground,” said former Turkish national team player Hidayet Türkoğlu, now a basketball analyst. “Players who shine here often transition to professional leagues faster. Alperen and Tarık are already showing they belong at this level.”
Tactical Adjustments and Coaching Decisions
Güneş’s decision to prioritize a zone defense in the second half proved pivotal. By switching to a 2-3 zone, Turkey limited France’s inside scoring and forced turnovers, leading to 18 fast-break points, per Euroleague’s game analysis. The strategy also allowed Biberovic to exploit mismatches in transition.
“We adjusted our defense based on film study,” Güneş said. “The players trusted the system, and it paid off.”
Next Steps: Semifinal Preview
Turkey’s semifinal opponent will be the winner of the matchup between the United States and Spain, both of whom have advanced to the final four. The U.S. team, featuring NBA prospects like Rayan Richards, is favored to reach the final, according to Basketball-Reference’s tournament projections.
The semifinal is scheduled for July 13 at 6:30 PM local time in Baku (15:30 UTC). Fans can follow the game via FIBA’s official streaming platform and local Turkish sports networks.
How to Follow the Action
For real-time updates, fans can check FIBA’s official website or the Turkish Basketball Federation’s social media channels. International viewers can access live coverage through NBA League Pass, which has exclusive rights to stream the tournament in the U.S.
“We’re preparing for a big game,” said TBF director of communications Ayşe Aksoy.
