RIO DE JANEIRO (Olympics) - Isabela Ramona has been a star on the rise in Brazil for several years.

In 2008, she joined the U15 Brazil side and has since featured for her country in youth events, including the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 and two U18 Championships for Women, the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Chile.

Only last summer, the 1.78m Ramona averaged 14 points, 6.4 rebounds and three assists per game at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, where the Brazilians finished runners-up to the United States.

The biggest aim of all, Ramona says, is to make it with the senior team and to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

That goal was at the front of her thoughts when she weighed up the chance of competing in the American college game after returning home from the U19 World Championship in Chile.

"Two American universities invited me," she said.

"I talked a lot with my family and coaches.

"I made the decision myself and decided to stay, improve myself and get this experience here in Brazil.

"I think the decision was quite right since my focus is to play for Brazil in 2016."

Ramona, on the books of club side Guarulhos in 2012-13, has also played 3x3 basketball.

"It's one of the best experiences I have had," she said in an interview on the Brazilian Basketball Confederation website.

"Although the basketball is in a completely different way.

"The rules are different and the game is much faster.

"It is very nice to play 3x3 and whenever I'm participating in tournaments. I am currently disputing the state of Rio, with the team ‘Pretinhas.’

"I think it is a competition that has everything to grow and is being tipped to be in the Olympics in Rio."

Ramona is expected to be in the squad at the U19 FIBA World Championship for Women this summer in Lithuania.

FIBA