Turkey U17 pulled off a notable upset at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, defeating France U17 94–87 on July 4, 2026. The match, which tipped off at 1:45 AM, saw Turkey overcome an early deficit through relentless scoring from beyond the arc and a dominant performance from their young stars. The win was a statement of intent from a Turkish side that had been underestimated heading into the tournament.

First Half: France Controls the Paint

France came out firing, using their height advantage to score inside at will. Forward Lucas Dupont and center Mathis Girard combined for 18 points in the first quarter, helping France build a 28–22 lead. Turkey struggled to contain France's size, but their perimeter shooting kept them in the game. Point guard Eren Yılmaz hit three three-pointers in the second quarter, allowing Turkey to cut the halftime deficit to 49–46.

Second Half: Turkey's Three-Point Barrage

The third quarter belonged to Turkey. They opened with a 12–3 run, with wing Kaan Demir catching fire from deep. Demir scored 14 of his game-high 26 points in the period, often pulling up in transition or off screens. France's defense was stretched thin, and Turkey's ball movement created open looks. By the end of the third quarter, Turkey led 74–68.

Fourth Quarter: Holding Off France's Rally

France refused to go quietly. Led by Dupont, who finished with 24 points, they cut the lead to 84–82 with four minutes to play. But Turkey responded with composure beyond their years. Yılmaz hit a step-back jumper, and Demir drove for an and-one to push the lead back to seven. Turkey made their free throws down the stretch to secure the 94–87 victory.

Key Performances and Tournament Impact

• Kaan Demir (Turkey U17): 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 three-pointers – offensive catalyst.
• Eren Yılmaz (Turkey U17): 18 points, 8 assists – controlled the tempo.
• Lucas Dupont (France U17): 24 points, 10 rebounds – valiant effort in defeat.

Turkey's win shakes up the U17 World Cup standings and puts them in strong position to advance from the group stage. France, despite the loss, remains talented but will need to address defensive lapses on the perimeter. For Turkey, this result signals their readiness to compete with the world's best youth programs and could be a springboard to a deep tournament run.

The 94–87 scoreline reflected an entertaining, high-tempo game that showcased the future of international basketball.