SAMOA (FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Championship 2017) – After a bronze medal performance in the FIBA U18 Women’s Oceania Championship 2016, this Samoa team will have a target on its back.

Samoa has returned five players from 2016, with such an experienced lineup they will be one of the more seasoned teams at the event. This experience and leadership will help Samoa defend their top three spot and challenge to move up the podium.

Utumalie Vaimauga’s role from last year’s event in Fiji is about to grow, she will move from a role player in 2016 to part of this experienced leadership group.

“My goal for this tournament is to improve my skills and knowledge of the game while helping lead my team.”

“I’m very excited for the event, we are ready to show teams what we are made of. Our biggest strength is our teamwork, we have learned so much about each other during our preparations.”

Adding to this experience, Samoa has also been able to return the Ropati sisters. Latorya Mariah and Francis Teneva were somewhat of a dynamic duo at year’s event, averaging a combined 16.6 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.

Latorya Mariah and Francis Teneva will be a huge presence in the paint on both ends of the floor for Samoa. Already having played older players during 2016 will only add to their effectiveness, they will be two players to watch in this year’s event.

Samoa have been placed in Group B with defending champions Australia, Marshall Islands and Tahiti. In order to make it through to the Division A finals, they will need to finish in the top two of their group.