NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - The cancellation of youth events because of Covid-19 has hit everyone hard, but there's something particularly agonizing about missing the 2020 edition of the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship.

As a fan of youth basketball and having loved seeing so many Euro stars take their early footsteps in this competition (whether Division A or B), I am gutted it won't happen.

So, who exactly was I looking forward to seeing play had Covid-19 not happened (subject to health and selection)? Here is my 16 player watch-list that you may also want to hang on to for future Euro youth tournaments - although I could have also included several more talents!

Dorja Iva Zaja - Croatia

The ever encouraging array of young Croatian talent keeps on flowing and she is a great prospect for the future at all levels. We already know that because of her work in 2019 when she was included in the All-Star Five of the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship Division B. She has all the ingredients, with good size, length, strength, balance, some decent athleticism and nice skills. She can score and rebound and will be one of those to carry the senior team torch in years to come.

Leila Lacan - France

Because of the exceptional French commitment of supporting and developing young players, competition remains fierce to make it to any national team and especially the seniors. As one of only three younger 2004 born players last year, Lacan did really well. She would have been an even more prominent figure this year. A guard with height, she moves very well and seems to have fun on court, whether running the fast break, dishing up dimes or knocking down shots. The next steps will get more difficult, but she has a good base to build on, as she tackles trying to shine in an incredibly saturated French youth pool.

Matilde Villa - Italy

When Italy took the last ticket to the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup last summer, Villa was key to that success. It's a pity we won't see her at the global level this year and she also qualified to have another shot at the U16's too.  A defensive power with lightning quick hands, the guard can score from behind the three-point line down the other end of the floor and is composed and assured so much of the time, while always passing the rock smartly.

Emily Kalenik - Poland

When Poland struggled last year at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship in Skopje, the promise shown by Kalenik was at least a bright spot for the future. Able to play across the frontcourt, her height, rebounding prowess and good defensive awareness in particular was clear to see. While she will have wanted to get the scoreboard ticking a bit more, she has the capacity to grow in terms of her post moves and will just get better and better. She works hard too, which is a basic but great foundation.

Elena Buenavida Estevez - Spain

As the youngest member for Spain at the 2019 edition, Buenavida Estevez played less than 18 minutes per game but could barely have done to impress during her modest court time. Nobody else on the roster shot the ball as well, while she also showed her intensity with plenty of steals and rebounds. In 2020 she surely would have been the leader of the team and we would have seen another brilliant and expanded string of top performances. Whether passing superbly or executing another classy EuroStep to the hoop, she is a big talent.

Ana Milanovic - Serbia 

Milovanovic was going to a centerpiece for Serbia this year, building on the encouraging displays she posted in 2019 when her defensive skills in particular really did shine. She works tirelessly and can block shots, anticipate and read the game very well with her nice hands, as well as rebound the ball excellently. She can certainly turn the dial up with her scoring, but this will come in time and there are reasons to keep a track on this talented young player. 

Juste Jocyte - Lithuania

It may have been the case that the phenomenal Jocyte might have skipped this U16 competition, with the U17 the standout tournament to focus on, since Lithuania  were relishing their prospect of a debut outing at the event. It's been a busy time for her of late, with the move to LDLC ASVEL Feminin where she became the youngest player to step out in EuroLeague Women, as well as playing for the senior national team in last November's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers. Well, you know the rest. She is already in the middle of the radar after her epic 2019 displays in Skopje as she carried Lithuania to the Final.

Astera Tuhina - Kosovo

Left hand, right hand, lay-ups, a huge shooting range, great vision and a vibrancy on court that makes you smile, Tuhina is a bundle of fun to watch. She is also fearless too, last year playing against players who were 4-5 years older at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship where she deservedly won excellent reviews. She is a big hope for Kosovo as one of the newest basketball nations tries to put itself on the sporting map. 

Anastasiia Kosu - Russia

Kosu needs little introduction in her role as last year's MVP of the FIBA U16 Women's Championship when she propelled Russia to gold with some truly awesome displays. Her athleticism is something her country has not really seen in the past and she is on course to be a massive star. I'll leave it there, since I have already spoken extensively about this amazing prospect in previous columns.

Raina Tomasicka - Latvia

A complete scorer, it's likely the Latvian guard will have made her FIBA debut this summer before the Covid-19 cancellation occurred. Already making her name at other youth tournaments, including the Junior NBA World Championships, Tomasicka has massive potential with great instincts and feel for the game,  making the most of her handles and shooting ability. The interesting question will be whether she can also grow and evolve as a team player, on top of being  a standout individual performer. 

Ariadna Termis Casas - Spain

Had the Coronavirus not caused the 2020 tournament to be cancelled, then we would have enjoyed the emergence of Termis Casas for her first FIBA event. Like every Spanish player, she brings the fundamentals to the table, but also something quite different because of her height and shooting range.  Having an imposing post player is just what Spain can benefit from at all levels in these nest years as she develops, while her ability to open up defenses because of her shooting ability is a big bonus.

Nastja Claessens - Belgium

Last year her teammate Julia Franquin quite rightly took the spotlight, but Claessens was not far behind in terms of impressing everybody. She was second to her compatriot in many categories including, efficiency, points and rebounds. With that experience of 2019, surely the forward would have been able to dominate in 2020. She is super mobile, can run the floor and defensively is always a handful. It looks like we can continue to say Belgium has got game!

Carlotta Zanardi - Italy

Playing with many colleagues who were two years older, the 2005-born Zanardi will still qualify next summer for this event and hopefully we will get to see the guard playing there. The fact she was only 14-years-old but got more than 24 minutes per game for Italy last year emphasized her maturity. A really good distributor who is calm under pressure, there's a lot more to come from her in these next years!

Frieda Buhner - Germany

This year was supposed to be when we would get to see the true face of the German forward, who played last year but found it up and down shooting-wise and converting at the basket. There is every reason to suggest she has the ability to make an even bigger impression at future youth tournaments. She is also a few years behind a super exciting German generation and so can rightly target senior action which is an exciting prospect.  A good rebounder, she keeps opposing defences honest because of her ability to make a three, while she loves to head fake outside and drive to the bucket for scores. 

Rusne Augustinaite - Lithuania

It's not easy for any Lithuanian player when you have the mighty shadow of the phenomenal Juste Jocyte to compete with. Yet I really do think that Augustinaite has bucket loads of talent too. She played a role in her country making last year's historic Final and has shone at several non-FIBA youth tournaments as well. A multi-skilled small forward, she has the athleticism, handles and ability to impact on any game. She plays with visible passion and emotion and if channeled in a positive way, she can also become a big name. 

Agata Makurat - Poland

With older sisters Ola and Anna at Utah and UConn respectively, Makurat junior has big steps to follow, but she also has the talent and potential to stand out in her own right. There's no doubt she didn't shoot the ball like she needed to or is capable of doing during her debut at the #FIBAU16Europe last year, but if you know her, you know she can kill it in so many ways. Long, athletic and able to play the shooting guard or small forward spots, she is excellent in transition, can take players off the dribble and leave them standing as she skips to the bucket. Fun to watch as well, Makurat is one to keep your eye on!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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