MELBOURNE (FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Australia Gems head coach Paul Gorris is excited about the potential of his team ahead of this year's FIBA U19 Women's World Championship.

Eighteen players have been named by Australia for a selection camp which will be held between 23-28 May, as Goriss and his coaching staff try to determine the final 12 who will head to Russia in July.

The Gems finished third at the last edition of the event in Lithuania two years ago and will be eager to post a strong challenge this time around in Chekhov.

"We have a good mix of versatile players, emerging Opals and we have great depth at every position," said the play-caller, who is keen to focus only on what is own players are capable of.

"For now, it's about the processes through the selection camps.

"It's the old cliche, but we want to play to our strengths and not worry about what other sides are doing.

"We're not shying away - we want a medal and we think we’re good enough."

Only last week Goriss was able to get a look at some of those budding talents at the Australian Junior Championships where Eziyoda Magbegor, Anneli Maley and Chantel Horvat all shone brightly.

Magbegor in particular is a huge prospect - quite literally in fact, as she already stands at 1.93m tall and both her length and athleticism have impressed Goriss.

Still only 15 years old, she could be one of the youngest players to have ever competed at the FIBA U19 Women's World Championship if she makes the final cut.

Meanwhile, Maley - who played for the Sapphires at last year's FIBA U17 Women's World Championship and is the daughter of former NBL star and new WNBL General Manager Paul Maley - led Vic Metro to a gold medal at the Championships. She capped off a stellar tournament with 22 points and an incredible 25 rebounds in the Final, with Horvat also remarkably consistent across the week.

Joining the players who have been outstanding at a domestic level in Australia, are three players who have enjoyed promising stints in the USA in the shape of Alliyah Fareo, Kristy Wallace and Alicia Froling.

There is also a place for Tahlia Tupaea, who like Froling, was part of the team that finished on the podium in Klaipeda two years ago and has since been playing in the WNBL with Sydney Uni Flames.

Australia preliminary roster for 2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship: Chloe Bibby, Kasey Burton, Madeleine Dennis, Montana Farrah-Seaton, Alliyah Fareo, Alicia Froling, Ella Hellessey, Chantel-Anais Horvat, Eziyoda Magbegor, Anneli Maley, Mikayla Pirini, Lauren Scherf, Alexandra Sharp, Demi Skinner, Alanna Smith, Elizabeth Tonks, Tahlia Tupaea, Kristy Wallace.

FIBA