PARIS (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - France head coach Cathy Melain is eager to find out which of her players will post a breakout at next month's FIBA U17 Women's World Championship.

The play-caller is heading to Zaragoza hoping that not just one, but a number of stars can emerge to help her team.

A former Olympian who was no stranger to success during her own playing days, Melain knows what it takes to make the grade - although as well as encouraging individual success, she is just as keen that France make their move collectively when the competition tips-off.

"Right now, as of today, I truly don't know who will be the leaders for us at this FIBA U17 Women's World Championship," she confessed.

"If I look at the FIBA U16 European Championship Women last year, Tima Pouye certainly had a good competition. But she is not alone and I can see some interesting wider potential for the future."

Tima Pouye (FRA)

"Usually in France, we don't have one player who does everything and can change the performance or result. Having such a player can be a quality, but it can also sometimes be a defect," Melain pointed out.

Last year in Matosinhos, France only just scraped into the mix as they finished sixth and collected the last remaining ticket on offer.

Very much at odds with a total of five teams finishing above them in Portugal, was an eye-catching 7-2 tournament record.

Their final standing was caused by the blow of a defeat in a big Quarter-Final clash against the host nation - although they did eventually make amends by still reaching Zaragoza.

"This team is up and down," mused Melain candidly. "They are irregular and capable of both the best and the worst - we never know. So will they be ready for this summer? I don't know."

What Melain is concerned with, is whether her players can learn to adapt and have the flexibility in their thinking to make alterations to their play as the situation dictates.

"What will be important on each day, is to have the capacity to adjust and yet still continue to be who we are," she stressed.

“Finding the balance with young players is complicated. - Melain

"Playing Japan or USA or Spain is completely different - whether it is the technical details, the philosophy, the physicality or the mentality.

"Every draw you get in a tournament is difficult," continued Melain. "Whatever the draw, you will always compete against a great team during the group phase and also during the subsequent phases.

"There are no easy games and there is no easy road. Australia, China and Mexico will have different styles but will all be hard to play - that is the beauty of any World Championship.

"The difficulty is that adjusting each and every day to a new style and the new challenge it brings."

FIBA