BIRMINGHAM (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - Rokia Doumbia is ready to show that Africa has game when she steps out with Mali at the fourth edition of the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship.

After all, the Bamako native can lay a justifiable claim to being the top African player on show in Zaragoza off the back of being crowned MVP at last year's FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship.

That personal recognition came alongside a scorching tournament from her team, who after nine days of intense competition, went unbeaten in Madagascar as they ran off seven successive wins to finish on the top step of the podium with a perfect record.

Doumbia was the MVP at the 2015 FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship

Doumbia was the cutting edge of her Mali's silverware charge and averaged an eye-catching 14.9 points per game as head coach Oumarou Sidiya Maiga delivered his nation a third consecutive title triumph at the event.

Reaping the rewards of playing in the United States at Central Park Christian School in Birmingham, Alabama, Doumbia is adding new dimensions to her game.

And, the fiercely patriotic guard is hoping this will be of significant benefit to Mali as they look to record a victory for the third FIBA U17 Women's World Championship in a row.

"Playing at this level is a very good experience for me and it was amazing to help my team claim a national team tournament trophy," she said.

This year's FIBA U17 Women's World Championship will be a great opportunity for Mali to show that we can do even better than we have done during previous years.- Doumbia

"No matter who will stand before us, my team-mates and I will fight to uplift the name of our country.

"I am optimistic that Mali will make great impact at this tournament and we will try all our best to advance to the Final Phase. Then, we can maybe make history in this tournament."

Mali's national federation has high hopes and expectations for Doumbia.

"We have started our preparations with local players. The good news is that Rokia Doumbia will join us on 5 June in Bamako," said Mamadou Boubel Konate, the assistant to Mali's national technical director.

"She was one of our key players at last year's FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship and we are looking forward to benefiting from what she has learned and achieved by playing high school basketball in the USA."

Mali certainly caused a stir when they beat Brazil in the Netherlands four years ago and then made even more of a splash when they took down European opposition in the shape of Italy at the last edition of the tournament in Czech Republic.

This time around they have been drawn in Group D with Brazil, Portugal and Spain.

FIBA