KLATOVY (Czech Republic) - The players at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship were given valuable guidance in the latest FIBA Players' Workshop on dealing with the media including their use of social media.

Czech basketball stars Jiri Welsch and Hana Horakova - MVP at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2010 - led the interactive presentation with the 16 teams split into two one-hour sessions.

"I think it's very good to have complimentary things to basketball," said Welsch - a three-time Czech Player of the Year and first round NBA Draft pick in 2002. "It helps to paint a bigger picture by realizing the importance of the media and how it is part of being an athlete even if you may not always enjoy expressing how you feel.

"Being cautious about social media is another thing because it is quick and interactive - you can do a lot of good, but also a lot of bad in a short time."

The presentation looked at infamous sporting interviews and the perception they give before a player from each nation took to the stage to take part in an impromptu press conference to gauge their reactions to different scenarios.

With a very large percentage of the players on Instagram as well as various other social media platforms, the workshop looked at the risks and benefits of social media with the dangers of posting.

They also discussed how interaction with the media paints the picture of players as people and how it is ideal to think before you speak, be polite and approachable and to try to control your emotions.

FIBA