NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - It has not been a vintage year for women's basketball and it's with a heavy heart that I prepare to enter 2015 with the women's game at a low ebb. It's something I will probably expand on during coming weeks.

Still, there have been some highlights from 2014 - a year which in general, was wholly forgettable. Nevertheless, here are my top personal moments of the year and in no particular order.

Salvadores in Pilsen
There was no better individual display at any level than the phenomenal effort of Spanish starlet Angela Salvadores. I was already a big fan, but now she is one of my favourite players by far. She scored 40 points in the Final of the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women in Pilsen against the USA and almost led her side to victory. A black belt in karate with a steely stare that could turn an opponent to stone, she balances this hard-nosed approach with the poise of a ballerina and hand of a deadly basketball assassin. It was a display that left everyone drooling over her talent and several months on - it still brings a smile to my face.

The inspirational Lauren Hill
After being diagnosed with brain cancer and with her life turned upside down, Lauren Hill still achieved her dream of playing college basketball. Just watching and listening to the ESPN documentary on the Mount St Joseph player was inspiring and I have to say, gave me a lump in my throat and tears of which I have rarely had before in a sporting context. What an inspirational story of dealing with adversity - in life and not basketball, although in Lauren's case, she underlined how important basketball and this sport we all adore can actually be in someone's life.

Ekrem Memnun and Isil Alben
This will be remembered for Galatasaray odeabank making history and becoming the first Turkish team to triumph in EuroLeague Women and obviously for the first time in their own history. The two things that I will remember most are seeing head coach Ekrem Memnun climbing into the media tribune holding his daughter en-route to the jubilant supporters and giving me the opportunity to not only congratulate him, but take my favourite photo of the year as he held his daughter with mutual pride and love. At that precise moment, I remembered a year earlier in the same arena, when it was a disaster for him and his team. I will also remember the contribution of Isil Alben. It may not have grabbed the headlines with the amazing Alba Torrens shining brightly, but the control and offensive rebounding of Alben was outstanding in the semi-final win against UMMC and in the final. It underlined the journey she has been on, which many years ago, had actually witnessed some fans questioning her ability to contribute effectively for the Istanbul giants.

Carolina Bernadeco and her big heart
I can't remember feeling quite so emotional at any basketball game and I have been to a few over the years. Having wrongly allowed the shot clock to tick down at the end of the game when her team were actually losing and not winning (she got the score mixed up), Portugal playmaker Carolina Bernadeco was distraught. Feeling like she let her team and family down in front of an unprecedented youth crowd of 3,000 in her home nation at the U18 European Championship Women, she fled to the locker rooms. Several minutes later the young playmaker returned to the floor with her head held high to the kind of reception and cheers I had never heard at youth level before. Bravo Carolina!

Ulker Arena and Turkish hospitality
I absolutely loved the Ulker Arena which hosted the latter stages of the FIBA World Championship for Women and it became probably my favourite place to watch basketball. It is an outstanding facility and combined with the warmth and hospitality of the Turkish Federation and volunteers, the off court organisation, friendliness and amazing venue compensated for disappointing action on the court.

Salvadores behind the scenes in Matosinhos
As everyone else partied at the end of the U18 European Championship Women in Matosinhos at the end of the tournament, my abiding memory of the year is a glum Salvadores pacing around on the court in half darkness. Working courtside and with few other people around, I had the privilege of seeing a born-winner in those moments, reflecting on why she didn't win the tournament title against the backdrop of music and celebrations in an adjacent gym. Third place isn't what Salvadores is about. As a class act surely destined to become an elite level player and Olympian, I will always look back on this moment before that super night in Pilsen. For what I witnessed in Matosinhos long after most people had gone home, is what truly sets true winners apart.

FIBA Coaching instructor Nelson Isley
Isley is a true ambassador for the women's game wherever he goes around the globe (and he goes to every corner). Being able to cement and build on our friendship (basically talking for hours and hours about women's basketball) made the year special. As did meeting so many other of you guys from the women's basketball family who truly appreciate, value and understand the game - as well as the challenges which both persist and even bigger ones which inevitably lie in wait.

Finally, my respects to those that we sadly lost during 2014 from the women's basketball family.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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