ANKARA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - The 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women is just around the corner. In the lead-up to the biggest international basketball event, we take an individual look at all 16 teams

Country: USA
FIBA bwin Ranking Women: No.1
Last participation in the FIBA World Championship for Women: 2010 (9 wins 0 defeats)
Best result in the history of the FIBA World Championship for Women: Eight-times champions (1953, 1957, 1979, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2010)
Result in qualifying tournament for 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women: Winners of 2012 Olympic Games (8 wins, 0 defeats)

The USA Selection Committee ensured an exciting new chapter in USA basketball will be written when the action gets underway in Istanbul after handing senior debuts to players who will make up an entire third of the roster.

With global superstar Candace Parker unavailable, along with experienced duo Tamika Catchings and Sylvia Fowles, the door was flung open for a quartet of rookies in the shape of Brittney Griner, Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Odyssey Sims and Breanna Stewart who will all step out at a major tournament with the senior team for the very first time.

The inclusion of Griner will be particularly welcomed by not only women's basketball fans, but no doubt the television producers who will be ready to pounce and capture what may be a historic first dunk at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Stewart meanwhile has continued her meteoric rise to prominence as the standout player in recent years at youth level for her nation, having also worked with head coach Geno Auriemma at UConn in the last couple of years.

At the other end of the spectrum, Sue Bird is ready to break a record and make history by becoming the first player in a USA vest to step out at a fourth FIBA World Championship event. Meanwhile her backcourt partner, Diana Taurasi won't want the new kids on the block to take attention away from the fact she continues to be a kingpin.

She reminded everyone of her legendary status during the recent WNBA Finals with the Phoenix Mercury by being named MVP - not that anyone actually needed reminding of her skills.

Maya Moore is playing the best basketball of her career and has every right to also be considered the kingpin after a phenomenal campaign with the Minnesota Lynx, which resulted in her being crowned regular season MVP in the WNBA and followed on from being hailed MVP in the WCBA.

There is the hugely efficient Candice Dupree, the power of Tina Charles, the wing-play and quick hands of Angel McCoughtry too - players who have all done it before.

As of course, Auriemma has done and he will no doubt relish trying to win the competition while integrating the four newcomers.

The price on the ticket for the play-caller is to not only retain the coveted title by climbing to the top of the podium in Istanbul, but to do so unbeaten and win in style.

An amazingly deep talent pool along with the stunning tradition of the last few decades in particular demands this must be the case.

Although interestingly, the only open wound for the USA in the modern era was at this tournament eight years ago in Brazil, when they failed to even make the Final.

It underlines the expectation and utter domination of the USA that it stands out so much. Players like Taurasi and Bird played at the event and it is a blip they have had to carry around with them. While some of the disappointment was washed away four years ago when the USA became holders once more, it will still no doubt be a motivational factor.

Not only for the USA themselves, but it will show the other contenders that once in a while, the reigning champions are actually capable of losing on the biggest stage. They were of course also beaten recently in preparation by France.

Heading to Group D, the USA should have few worries against African underdogs Angola or a transitional China. They will have to be wary of a free-scoring Serbia, but on paper at least, they should stroll to the critical end of the tournament.

And once inevitably there, no other outcome will do than retaining top spot - even if they do have a significant new batch of rookies on board.

FIBA