NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - With the third ever edition of the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women due to tip off on Saturday, I am drawing up my primary watch-list for the Czech Republic.

While looking to identify new rising talents and late bloomers, there are a group of players who already seem destined to not only make a splash in Klatovy and Pilsen, but far, far beyond.

Ji Su Park (Korea)
Park is unashamedly top of my notes and perhaps you shouldn't be too surprised, since she is not only one of the biggest prospects anywhere in Asia, she even has the Korean Basketball Federation President Yul Pang as one of her biggest fans - describing her as the main hope for the future of Korean women's basketball.

The 1998-born star will inevitably be the driving force behind Korea's bid in what will be her second time playing at the event, having featured when she was just 13 years old in Amsterdam two years ago.

Park then stepped out last year at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Lithuania where she caused a real stir by again producing the goods against players several years older than her.

Tahlia Tupaea (Australia)
Tupaea will be the main hope for Australia's Gems as they seek a first podium place at the event. Having also played at U19 level - she finished with a bronze medal in Klaipeda last summer - I am intrigued to see how much influence the guard can exert. Snapped up by Sydney Uni Flames, she will be integral to Australian prospects and after averaging double figures in minutes during the WNBL last season, should have matured even further.

Alix Duchet (France)
Duchet could be about to slide firmly onto the radar with France. Already one of the most exciting young talents within her homeland, she could be ready to gain wider recognition - despite being one of the youngest players of the 1997 generation, due to her late December birthday. A versatile playmaker, she has already won rave reviews for her calm demeanour, excellent court vision, passing and hand speed. Although not prolific, she can score when needed and played a major role in the shock win for Les Bleues against USA this past weekend.

Angela Salvadores (Spain)
Salvadores has a black belt in martial arts. That kind of toughness of body and mind, combined with her aggressive and yet beautifully balanced skill-set and poise makes for a heady cocktail. Spain look like a candidate to make the Final and with Salvadores around, anything is possible. She looks to be destined to continue the never ending conveyor belt of Spanish talent which rolls merrily  through the national federation HQ.

Debora Dubei (Hungary)
Dubei was the main factor in Hungary ending a wait of four decades for a medal at the U16 European Championship Women and joining Salvadores in the All-Tournament Team. Her averages of 11 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game demonstrated her value. With a senior season at Aluinvent Miskolc to her name where she has played in EuroCup Women, the Middle European League and the highly-competitive Hungarian Championship, she is making great progress and will be a  leader for sure.
 
Francesca Pan (Italy)
Pan was also in the same line-up of star performers and while she hasn't played in all of Italy's friendlies, I will be hoping she is fully fit and firing on all cylinders. She comes into her second U17 tournament having played in Netherlands and is someone with a real desire to make it to the elite level.

Julia Reisingerova (Czech Republic)
Reisingerova was a fourth member of the All-Tournament Team at last year's U16 European Championship for Women in Bulgaria last year that is only 16 years old. She led the Czech Republic to silver and is the daughter of former player Petra Reisingerova, so never has to look too far for advice on her game. The centre can block shots and is more than a match for anyone defensively, so will be fun to watch.

Bridget Carleton (Canada)
Carleton of Canada is another player who has advice always close to hand, as her mum is head coach at the local high school. An intelligent player who has used that fact to take her court smarts impressively high, the coaching staff rate her very highly and she will be one of the most useful weapons for Canada to utilise.

Asia Durr (USA)
Also from North America, Durr should spearhead the USA in their pursuit of a third straight title. Even during that surprise loss to France in the recent friendly tournament, she top scored with 22 points, having been the most prolific player at the U16 FIBA Americas Championship for Women last year.

Djeneba N'Diaye (Mali)
N'Diaye of Mali tore it up at last year's FIBA Africa U16 Championship for Women in Maputo, Mozambique and will carry her team's hopes on her shoulders. She played two years ago in Amsterdam and was part of the Mali team who famously sunk Brazil.
 
However in reality, it is the players who I haven't yet heard much about, but who subsequently grab the limelight that excite me the most.

I really can't wait to be there to see it.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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