VENEZIA (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - Italian powerhouse Lorela Cubaj is rightly being touted as a headline act of the rapidly approaching 2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship.

Not only did Cubaj excel at last year's FIBA U16 Women's European Championship when she made the All-Star Five en-route to Italy's third-place finish, but she has since elevated her game to new levels by competing in EuroCup Women.

Suiting up for Umana Reyer Venezia in the competition, the frontcourt star has defied her tender years after being given priceless exposure to a seriously high level competition.

"It has been an exciting experience," smiled Cubaj when reflecting on a productive club campaign. "I've practiced and played with great players that only a few years ago, I used to watch on television in their respective national and international competitions. I've learned to manage the court pressure and started thinking a bit more about being a senior player.

"This could only have happened thanks to the trust that the head coach and the staff gave me - practice after practice and also game after game," the 17-year-old added. "I will keep every piece of this learning with me at all times and cherish absolutely everything that my coaching staff and team-mates have done to make me a better player and individual.

"I can't thank the Umana Reyer Venezia organisation enough for this."

Gushing in praise for the support offered, Cubaj extended her appreciation to her family members who encouraged her to pick up a basketball - something which has set on her the road to potential stardom.

"Everything started thanks to my auntie and uncle, as they made me approach this wonderful sport when I was 10 years old and I had the chance to learn a lot from them too," she recalled. "They used to support me so much and they still are - despite the long distance between us and I will never stop being grateful to them."

The strong theme of humbleness and appreciation complemented by a craving to learn - with the Termi native adding: "I look up to every player on the senior national team. That's because I can learn something from every one of them and they are all really good."

It's a smart strategy and perhaps gives a glimpse into why Cubaj has an impressive three appearances at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship on her resume - her debut having come at just 14 years of age.

Cubaj has previous global experience having played at the 2014 edition of the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship

Now she is set to step out at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship again, having appeared in Pilsen and Klatovy two years ago, when it proved a bumpy road for Italy as they were on the wrong end of a shock loss to Mali.

There's much to ponder for Cubaj ahead of Zaragoza, but she has plenty of experience to call upon as Italy think about how they can navigate a very difficult opening group against Czech Republic, USA and Korea.

"It's going to be my second world tournament and I really look forward to playing at such a high basketball level," she mused. "The teams are really, really competitive and our group is really strong, so we will have to give absolutely everything that we have.

"Last year in Matosinhos gave us many different feelings and I think everybody learned not to underestimate any opponent. We also now have more awareness about how to study and limit our opponents’ skills, while also exploiting our own talent.

"I feel it is all about trusting and supporting each other as team-mates when any difficulties arise. When we help and give advice to each other, we get better as individuals and as a team. Those ingredients will come out on the court, through our basketball chemistry and friendship."

Italy won their opening preparation game with a hard fought 54-52 success against fellow European hopefuls, Portugal.

FIBA