African champions ready to embrace the challenge in Minsk
BAMAKO (FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - Mali are set to take a step up at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 after storming to U16 Continental success last year.
Mali claimed the FIBA Women's U16 African Championship 2017 title with ease as they powered their way to the top of the podium with a flawless 6-0 record and no opponent even getting within touching distance of them.
Now many of those same players who won every game in Mozambique by at least 17 points are ready to go to work on the global stage.
| Mali 20-player squad for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 | |||
| Niame Baradji | Diouma Berthe | Saran Berthe | Kadidia Coulibaly |
| Fanta Daffe | Fatoumata Dembele | Boubacar Diallo | Sidbekaye Diakite |
| Fadiala Kamissko | Hamadou Konate | Fanta Kone | Djissely Kone |
| Kamba Kone | Sika Kone | Alima Kouyate | Aminata Sangare |
| Ogharou Sidiya | Diarrah Sissoko | Kady Togola | Mariama Traore |
Mali will look to their powerful Sika Kone to lead the way after she contributed a sparkling 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in last year's campaign and her namesake Fanta Kone who averaged 4 assists a game.
However, Mali will have to manage without their powerhouse and last year's leading scorer Aissetou Coulibaly who is unavailable, having played at the last edition of the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in 2016 when Mali won a historical three games.
FIBA
