AMMAN (Jordan) - To determine if Indonesia are the real deal and have the potential to be an Asian women's basketball power in the future, a good starting point is two outsiders on the inside of the camp.

Head coach Chi-Wen Lin is from Chinese Taipei and has taken deserved credit for guiding the team into the Semi-Finals, while star baller Kim Pierre-Louis is a naturalized Canadian, currently top of the competition's efficiency chart after posting a huge tournament double-double.  She is also a candidate in the FAN MVP VOTE.

While non-Indonesian by birth, they are each demonstrably doing incredible things for the program and most importantly, the love and respect from the homegrown players towards the duo is obvious at every turn - both on and off the court.

Bringing in external expertise is always a dilemma, but based on results and performances so far, Indonesia look such a cohesive and dangerous unit that could go places. Even if that is not Division A this time, then it could be at some point in the not too distant future. 

"I started this journey with Indonesia two years ago and from the beginning until now, the improvement has come on in leaps and bounds," explained Pierre-Louis.

"I have been very impressed with all the hard work and dedication they relentlessly show and it makes you proud to call them all your teammates. When you have that as the base, you always have something good to build on.

"They have improved all the different aspects in my opinion. They have more grit in games, they have gotten better in their shooting and their mentality as needing to pose a threat and be willing to score. 

"Just the development in the overall skill level has been so great to see and if we could get into Division A, I think people would be surprised at how much we would all look forward to testing ourselves at the higher level," she added.

The ingredients for success are clearly there.

However, a thorough investment in grass roots and pathways is also essential, as well as securing prolonged and uninterrupted participation at events if Indonesia want to be more than a one-hit wonder. They have not appeared since 2013 and even if they lose in the Semi-Finals, they need to continue this precious momentum.

"I agree that Indonesia players have a really awesome attitude, because they just never give up" confirmed head coach Lin.

"Now we just need to make sure there is a process in place to help to continue developing their level of defense, their basketball IQ and understanding of offensive systems. 

"I think the future is bright for Indonoesian basketball," she insisted.

Certainly Lin herself has been the talk of the competition, with many people at the event hugely impressed by her coaching style and mentality. Indeed moments after Indonesia had booked and celebrated their place in the Semi-Finals, it was noticable that she was talking at length on the court with 'twin towers' Gabriel Sophia and Pierre-Louis, pointing out various things.  

"She just lives and breathes basketball," smiled Pierre-Louis when asked about the playcaller taking her and Sophia to to the side so quickly after a famous win.

"We are in good hands with her as coach and she is so invested in what we are doing. She has such a calm demeanor, is always trusting the players, never gets down on us and is only ever positive about what we do," added the center. 

The pieces certainly look like they could be falling into place for Indonesia and if they continue their progress, then opportunity knocks very loudly and in the long-term, who knows? Maybe they really can evolve into a force in the region. 

FIBA