SYDNEY (Australia) - Each nation has their usual leaders to rely upon at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournaments, but who are the key 'X-Factor' players and difference-makers?

Here's a choice of one particular baller for every competing country and why their role and ability to contribute is so vital to delivering success.

Belgrade (A)

Ezi Magbegor - Australia

FORWARD/CENTER

Height: 6'4" (1.93m) 
Date of Birth: August 13, 1999

Having already shown what she is capable of on the global stage with her performances in major tournaments, including as arguably the pick for the Opals at Tokyo 2020, this is another landmark year for Magbegor. Now Liz Cambage is no longer with the team, can the next generation truly take over the frontcourt and lead Australia to glory?

Isaem Choi - Korea

POWER FORWARD

Height: 6'0" (1.83m) 
Date of Birth: August 17, 1994 

A late bloomer on the international stage, the forward came out of absolutely nowhere to become one of the standout stars of the FIBA Women's AsiaCup in Amman, Jordan last year. Choi actually went to the previous edition of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup four years ago, but was barely given any court time at all. She looks like she is capable of flourishing under new head coach Sunmin Jung and Korea need another big display to be successful.

Aleksandra Crvendakic - Serbia

FORWARD 

Height: 6'2" (1.87m) 
Date of Birth: March 17, 1996

It could be a maiden FIBA Women;s Basketball World Cup appearance later this year for Crvendakic who is integral to the future of a Serbian team looking to move on from the retirements of team leaders Sonja Vasic and Jelena Brooks. While part of this winning team for some time, she needs to show she can now be a new leader. The winger showed signs of that in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers last November with a stellar showing. 

Patty Teixeira - Brazil

SHOOTING GUARD

Height: 5'9" (1.75m) 
Date of Birth: September 28, 1990

If Teixeira shoots the ball well then the prospects of Brazil go up immensely, since the baller has the capacity at least to score in bunches, whether starting games or stepping off the bench. However, the other dimension is that if shots are not dropping, then she needs to really turn up the volume by doing other things - both on and off the ball to cement her role and influence. Not least, at the defensive end.

Belgrade (B)

Gabby Williams - France

FORWARD 

Height: 5'11" (1.80m) 
Date of Birth: Sep 9, 1996

A super player, there;s a debate about whether Williams has hit top gear wearing a national team vest. It's still early days as 2021 was her first in French colors and she played a leading role in helping reach another FIBA Women's EuroBasket Final - plus that Oympic bronze in Tokyo. It's tough to stand out on a stacked roster and there's an argument that she doesn't really need to. Yet when Williams clicks at both ends of the floor, France look far superior.

Sijing Huang - China

FORWARD

Height: 6'3" (1.90m) 
Date of Birth: January 8, 1996

Huang was exceptional at the FIBA Women's AsiaCup last year and had China managed to land the title (in the end they just missed out in a classic Final against Japan) then she would have probably had a good shot at being crowned MVP. Tall. long and reasonably athletic, she is able to knock down three-point shots in big moments and now she must transfer this form to the global stage, having not yet lit it up or played to her potential outside of Continental events.

Promise Amukamara - Nigeria

GUARD

Height: 5'9" (1.75m) 
Date of Birth: June 22, 1993 

This could be a great opportunity for the guard to catapult herself into the role of a leader, taking into account the usual primary playmaker and colleague Ezinne Kalu is likely to be miss out with an injury. Amukamara played some nice cameos last year at Tokyo 2020 and when Nigeria retained their FIBA Women's AfroBasket title, but now  t's a case of landing back on the center of her team's backcourt radar.

Djeneba N'Diaye - Mali

GUARD

Height: 5'8" (1.72m) 
Date of Birth: July 8, 1997

When N'Diaye balls, Mali balls. Still only 24-years-old, it seems like the guard has been around forever, perhaps due to her long-standing impressive contributions at youth level too. A lof of focus has understandably been placed on rising star Sika Kone, plus FIBA Women's AfroBasket All-Star Five member Mariam Coulibaly. But while the frontcourt looks powerful and likely to do its thing, the backcourt, led by N'Diaye maybe less so. Can she deliver?

Osaka (JPN)

Viktoryia Hasper - Belarus

CENTER

Height: 6'4" (1.92m) 
Date of Birth: January 9, 1988

Belarus are defined by relentless defense and the work of leading trio Alex Bentley, Maryia Papaova and the legend that is Anastasiya Verameyenka. In the case of the latter two, they always combine to give their team the platform to win games, behind Bentley pulling the strings at point guard. Yet delve a little deeper and you realize that Hasper is just as essential. When she steps onto the court the pressure on her is huge, because she simply must  maintain the level of her fellow frontcourt colleagues. At the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021, she did it. Can she repeat that form?

Nikolina Babic - Bosnia and Herzegovina

GUARD

Height: 5'10" (1.77m) 
Date of Birth: February 16, 1995

While fans watched in awe at the exploits of WNBA and EuroLeague Women superstar Jonquel Jones as Bosnia and Herzegovina sealed a  historic 5th place finish at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket, the production of Babic was overshadowed. Yet without her near 14 points and 4 assists per game, even the brilliance of the naturalized Jones would not have been enough to reach these Qualifying Tournaments. Can the guard continue her vital cameo role?

Himawari Akaho - Japan

POWER FORWARD 

Height: 6'1" (1.85m) 
Date of Birth: August 28, 1998

Everyone knows about Japan's ability to run the floor, space the floor, move the ball and shoot the lights out. Yet just as important as that slick offensive team rhythm is the relentless defense at the other end. Akaho sets the tone and is likely to do so again. It was her defensive power at the FIBA Women's AsiaCup 2021 that sqw her crowned MVP, while she is always ready to drop the ocassional huge three-pointer, just when it is needed by her team most. 

Shay Colley - Canada

GUARD

Height: 5'9" (1.75m) 
Date of Birth: January 6, 1996

With Kia Nurse sidelined by an injury and unable to participate, will it be Colley that can maximize on that extra court time and take a chance to show she can have a scoring touch, in addition to her creative capabilities? Whether she gets the opportunity to be more influential for Canada will hinge on how highly she is rated by new playcaller Victor Lapena. She certainly has the potential to possibly do more.

Washington DC (USA)

Jewell Loyd - USA 

GUARD

Height: 5'9" (1.75m) 
Date of Birth: October  5, 1993

It's true that it is probably pushing the boundary of what an 'X-Factor' player actually is to have Loyd included in this list due to her previous achievements. But with USA having announced that there will be a string of absentees in Washington DC,  can the guard show herself as bonafide leadership material? It would help and especially with a tricky looking game against Belgium lying in wait.

Nina Glonti - Russia

FORWARD 

Height: 6'2" (1.89m) 
Date of Birth: January 14, 1997

Glonti enjoyed a stunning 'breakout tournament' at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021. Without her three-point shooting and unexpected cameos behind standout star Maria Vadeeva, Russia may not have delivered sixth place and a place at the Qualifying Tournaments. With so much emphasis on Vadeeva, the likes of Glonti have to somehow replicate their form of last year, but that might be tough as she will be higher on the opposing scouting reports.

Antonia Delaere - Belgium

SMALL FORWARD

Height: 6'0" (1.82m) 
Date of Birth: August 1, 1994

For a long time, Delaere has been described as 'the glue' that holds Belgium together, or an 'unsung hero'. Well, that label has now changed and she is a bonafide leading light who is able to make game-winning contributions. While she will have the joy and satisfaction of having elevated her role for the Cats over time, there is also now a bigger responsibility and expectation for her to deliver. 

Isalys Quinones - Puerto Rico

POWER FORWARD 

Height: 6'3" (1.91m) 
Date of Birth: October 23, 1997

Puerto Rico has an immense battle on their hands to even get close to their dream ticket. That is mainly because of the seriously tough draw they were handed against USA, Russia and Belgium. Already short on size and height under the basket, marquee player Jazmon Gwathmey will have a lot of work to get through. It's why Quinones needs to play at her highest ever level to shine in the paint - otherwise the underdogs will struggle to even be competitive. 

FIBA