ZARAGOZA (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - Some of the best and most exciting young players in the women's game are ready to make their global bow at the 2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship in Zaragoza.
While the list of those who could impress is delightfully long, here is an initial eight names to write down on the 'watch-list' - including a couple of players who despite their tenders years, have previously put themselves on the radar.
Ana Ramos
Local favourite Ana Ramos received the adulation of the huge crowd in Matosinhos last year after the Portugal star received the distinction of being named MVP at the U16 European Championship Women. She showed incredible leadership to help her nation to a historic first youth final, first youth medal and maiden place at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women. Ramos averaged 9.9 points, five rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Izabela Leite
Few teenagers have made such an instant impact in national team colours as Leite who was the standout performer at last year's FIBA Americas U16 Women’s Championship when she poured in more than 21 points per game. She also scored 24 points in Brazil’s historic Semi-Final success against the mighty USA. That contributed to her earning a promotion and she found herself catapulted into senior action, representing her country at the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship on her 16th birthday. She also has the rare chance to play at a second FIBA U17 Women's World Championship after featuring during 2014 in Czech Republic.
Eziyoda Magbegor
The athletic forward is one of the most exciting prospects in Australian basketball and has already underlined why she is rated so highly after exploding onto the scene in 2015. She firstly played while still only 15-years-old at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship in Chekhov and having competed impressively against older opponents, took the rewards of that experience into the FIBA Oceania U16 Women’s Championship. She secured a breath-taking tournament double-double of 18 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.
Veronika Sipova
Prior to having a gold medal placed around her neck, Czech Republic forward Veronika Sipova had already enjoyed being announced in the All-Star Five. She led the 2015 U16 European Championship Women champions in both scoring and rebounding with a highly impressive 11 points and 6.2 boards per game.
Alyssa Jerome
It was a momentous year for Canada in 2015 with their senior team collecting a golden double and it came off the back of a historic maiden success at the FIBA Americas U16 Women’s Championship. At the heart of this memorable accomplishment was Jerome, a popular choice of Most Valuable Player. She harvested a near tournament double-double of 13.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and is tipped for big things in the future.
Yueru Li
Another hugely effective frontcourt player, Li was the pivotal figure in China easing their way to the 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Women’s Championship title in Indonesia. They did it with style after going unbeaten and central to winning a super seven games was the input of Li. She had a mesmerising 22.1 points and 16.1 rebounds per game as she walked away with a deserved MVP accolade.
Lorela Cubaj (@LorelaCubaj)
Italy took third-place in Matosinhos and their impressive 8-1 campaign was largely due to some fine work in the paint by Lorela Cubaj who led her team in scoring with 11 points per game and also added over six rebounds each time she stepped out.
Salimatou Kourouma
The African ace was the driving force behind her team riding to the top of the podium last year at the FIBA Africa U16 Women’s Championship in Madagascar. Kourouma helped her nation to finish the tournament flawless after posting a productive 12.4 rebounds and 8.3 rebounds per game thanks to her killer instinct around the basket.
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