CANBERRA (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - Eziyoda Magbegor and Jazmin Shelley look set to spearhead Australia’s bid at the 2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship after the stars of last year's FIBA Oceania U16 Women's Championship success were named in an 18-strong candidate list.

Magbegor averaged a double-double at the 2015 FIBA Oceania Women's U16 Championship and will bring the noise in the paint, while Shelley will be expected to lead the way from the backcourt in Zaragoza after top scoring in the podium topping success in Tauranga.

That was the main driver behind her receiving The Kristi Harrower Award for Junior Female Player of the Year.

The team's reins will be held by the highly-rated Shannon Seebohm who moves up to the global level after overseeing last year's continental triumph.

He was recently crowned WNBL Coach of the Year for his work with Sydney Uni Flames and is excited at switching his focus back to the international stage.

"I am really excited about the group we have put together," he said. "We have selected a very athletic and talented squad and I am sure the selection camp is going to be extremely competitive.

"We want to play an aggressive style of basketball on both ends of the floor and I am confident that this group can do that at a high level."

The initial roster was compiled in the wake of performances at the 18 Australian Junior Championships and at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence Australian Development Camp - as well as in consultation with High Performance Managers at each State Association.

The selected athletes will head into camp in coming weeks at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence at the AIS, with the final 12 players embarking on a tour of China in preparation of their trip to Spain.

Meanwhile Jan Stirling, General Manager of High Performance at Basketball Australia is hoping the team can put in a strong showing and added: "The high quality of athletes that have been named in the squads point to a successful tournament in Spain and a big future for Australia Basketball."

Australia 18-player preliminary squad for 2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship: Isabelle Bourne, Emma Clarke, Lucy Cochrane, Monique Conti, Abby Cubillo, Chelsea D’Angelo, Miela Goodchild, Shyla Heal, Eziyoda Magbegor, Cassidy McLean, Kiera Rowe, Lara McSpadden, Taylor Mole, Rebecca Pizzey, Darcy Rees, Jazmin Shelley, Jasmine Simmons and Samantha Simons.

FIBA