The magical history magnet

SYDNEY (Australia) - With time ticking down to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, fans are readying themselves to watch the best ballers on the planet in Sydney - players like Emma Meesseman.

The leader of the Belgian Cats is recognized as one of the very best in the global game. Having been on a seemingly never ending upwards trajectory ever since she stepped out at youth level, en-route to putting Belgium in the middle of the basketball map at the senior level, we look back at her evolution.

Not least, focusing upon a staggering number of historical high points on her journey - and that is not even checking out her superb achievements at club level which has delivered titles on both sides of the Atlantic in EuroLeague Women and the WNBA - as well as individual honors.

MVP ready from the start

Meesseman showed her class and potential early in her career. Very early in fact. She was crowned MVP of the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2009 in Naples, Italy when catapulting Belgium to the Final and to the inaugural FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup. Her big double-double performance in the tournament with 14.8 points and 12.8 boards per game, her composure and quality was obvious from the get-go.

Stepping out at the first ever edition of the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in France, Meesseman propelled her team to the Semi-Finals on her first global outing. It showed fans more widely that she was a young baller capable of doing great things.

A year later and there was already a case of MVP deja vu as Meesseman matched her individual success of 2009 by taking the honor at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship. Only this time, it was gold instead of silver for the team. 

Historic FIBA Women's EuroBasket Bronze

While the journey and evolution of Meesseman has been stacked with so many incredible moments, there was quite a time lag between her success at youth level and being able to transition to the senior team and attain success at the elite level. It was in 2017 when her first big senior moment and more history arrived. Back at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket for the first time in 14 years, Meesseman took Belgium to an amazing first ever medal as they claimed bronze. An All-Star spot was a no-brainer as she was amazing and it dawned on everyone that she was the real deal. 

Historic first FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup

The third-place finish in Czech Republic a year earlier handed Belgium a historic maiden spot at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. In 2018 in Tenerife, Meesseman got to lead the senior side for the first time at the global level. Belgium won the hearts of basketball fans everywhere for their eye-catching team basketball, with Meesseman offering her usual brilliance as they moved to the Semi-Finals. While they just missed out on the podium, the Ieper native was again lauded for here displays and it was another All-Star Five accolade. 

First ever ticket to the Olympics punched

This was arguably one of the biggest moments for Meesseman. The pressure was intense on Belgium, but even more so on her in particular. Desperate to punch a ticket to the Olympics for the first time and claim yet more history, the hosts were in a tough group in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. But, with the expectations of a packed home crowd on her shoulders, Meesseman underlined how attaining huge numbers on the floor are important, but leadership and being mentally tough at the highest level is just as important. She was phenomenal and led her team to a truly memorable night on home soil.

Deja Vu with another bronze

It's a measure of the sheer intensity of Meesseman's evolution that has went hand in glove with her Belgian team that the Cats left the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 with bronze and yet still felt a tinge of disappointment. Having taken the third step of the podium in 2017, they had wanted to upgrade to silver or gold. For Meesseman herself, you've guessed it - there was another All-Star Five spot to add to the list.

An historic Olympic debut

It was the ultimate bitter-sweet experience for Meesseman and Belgium when they debuted at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. That historic joy and some mammoth individual displays were balanced out with a crushing and agonizing 86-85 Quarter-Finals exit to Japan in a game described as one of the best ever.  Her epic efficiency score of 38 after dropping 25 points. 11 rebounds and 6 assists had everyone talking about how this titan of female hoops really didn't deserve to miss out on the Semi-Finals. A tough pill to swallow, Meesseman had at least won even more fans and admirers. 

Getting ready for Sydney!

When Meesseman stepped out for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year, it was assumed she would lead Belgium to Sydney. That was never in doubt as she delivered her usual towering performance to be crowned MVP and cement her status from European rising star to global superstar. And, few would back against this special player and 'history magnet' from racking up another first with Belgium later this year with a maiden podium spot at the flagship event.

FIBA