NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - If you aren't sure whether to watch, follow or engage with the FIBA U19 Womens Basketball World Cup 2017 taking place later this month, here are some reasons to persuade you!

- Almost all the big-name players in the global game have trodden the U19 boards, including Diana Taurasi, Alba Torrens, Breanna Stewart and Celine Dumerc, to name but a few.

- After their unexpected shock exit before the Quarter-Finals at last month's FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017, Russia have opened the door for the brilliant Maria Vadeeva to return to the squad along with the excellent Raisa Musina.

- Can anyone break the staggering stranglehold the USA have on this event? They've won every single edition since 2005 which is a jaw-dropping record. They are chasing seven in a row!

- While the USA are a familiar face as champions, they've faced five different opponents in the last six Finals, so it's still wide open for everyone else to try and challenge their supremacy!

- We'll find out who will be the next USA leader and almost inevitably, the MVP. In 2015, we asked who would stand up strong and follow in the footsteps of Breanna Stewart. And, A'Ja Wilson answered the question in emphatic fashion.

- Latvia will debut, just over a year after their maiden appearance at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship and a month after the senior team gained first-ever ticket to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. It's boom time for Latvian women's basketball!

- Australia will bring arguably their best generation of players in recent memory; evidenced by the fact they won a historic gold medal at last year's FIBA U17 Women's World Championship.

- Eziyoda Magbegor is a highlights reel in motion whenever she's on the floor. She was the centerpiece of a famous night in Zaragoza when the Sapphires reached the top of the podium and the center also played for the Gems in Chekhov two years ago so knows this competition.

- Mali will rely on arguably their most talented generation ever! One that went unbeaten last year at the FIBA Africa U18 Women's Championship and made history by taking three wins at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship 2016.

- Salimatou Kourouma might just be one of the best players to have come out of Africa in a long time. The Mali forward was outstanding in Zaragoza with 15.6 points and 10.6 boards per game.

- Will we see a first player dunk at this tournament? For those who think it is fantasy, don't ever rule it out from becoming an occurrence at the women's youth level in the future. Maria Vadeeva has bet her brother a car she will dunk this year!

- Even if China have been hit by the loss of Li Yueru who has been named in the senior team for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017, they are likely to have two fabulous and interesting players in guard Wang Jiaqi and center Han Xu, who helped them make the Semi-Finals at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship.

- Finally, you could barely ever see a more beautiful location to be at any tournament than in the exquisite surroundings of Udine and especially Cividale Del Friuli.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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