MINSK (FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - Many of the top rising stars on the planet will be descending on Minsk for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.

Here is our pick of players that you need to watch out for when the action gets underway in the Belarusian capital.

Iliana Rupert - France

The MVP of last year's FIBA U16 Women's European Championship in Bourges, Rupert is a forward who oozes quality. So much so, she has been snapped up by Tango Bourges Basket, - meaning she will head back to Le Prado later this year to play in EuroLeague Women. She will be central to the hopes of France, who have aspirations to get onto the podium. With her scoring, rebounding, leadership and smarts, they could accomplish that. 

Liu Yutong - China

What Yutong may give up in athleticism, she makes up for with her size, intelligence and sheer power - a combination of factors which make her an absolute nightmare to guard. She will cause potential havoc inside for China's opponents and last year at the FIBA U16 Asia Women's Championship, she had a massive  tournament double-double of 14.3 points and 13.5 boards per game.

Zoe Wadoux - France

The star of the recent and prestigious Reze Basketball Tournament which was Candace Parker's first overseas competition, Wadoux is an exciting guard who can score points in a hurry. A big weapon from downtown, she could be the leading scorer for her team and even if not, she is always a potential difference-maker in any game.

Aliyah Boston - USA

The MVP of the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2017, Boston has already shown her ability to deliver for her country. Even if she didn't put up huge numbers, she was the most efficient player of the tournament in Argentina.  Her defensive work could be vital too, since she can get steals and blocks, so should set the tone for USA.

Raquel Carrera - Spain

A focal point for Spain at both ends of the court, Carrera is a big hope for future senior team status, with her country not that deep with inside talent. The signs are good, after a powerful display at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2017 when she averaged 13.3 points and 10.3 boards per game. She also played at the 2016 edition.

Brynn Masikewich - Canada

Another 'big' and someone else who recorded a tournament double-double last year, Masikewich was a colossus in propelling Canada to the second podium step at the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2017. She led her country in points, rebounds and efficiency, so expect her to be the centrepiece of her team's challenge in Minsk.

Ilaria Panzera - Italy

Touted by some to be 'the next Raffaella Masciadri' because of her wing play and skills, there's pressure on Panzera, but she thrives on it. She has played twice at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship and was the youngest in 2016, but the biggest contributor.  She helped Italy to back to back Semi-Finals and Third Place in 2017.

Helena Pueyo - Spain

A skilled playmaker who is well schooled in all of the fundamentals as you would expect from most Spanish players, Pueyo is a nice creator and has an impressive shooting range too. She plays aggressively and that helps her get a lot of rebounds for her position. She will help the team tick from the backcourt and if she plays well, then so will Spain.

Aika Hirashita - Japan

The forward is perpetual motion and her high energy levels and hustle alone are likely to make her hard to contain. She is very aggressive on defense and will look to snap up putback chances down the other end. She almost carried Japan to glory at the FIBA U16 Asia Women's Championship 2017 with 13.2 and 7.6 boards per game. 

Shyla Heal - Australia

Don't expect Heal to necessarily light it up with huge levels of production or eye-popping numbers, but do expect her to be the one who uses her basketball IQ and ball-handling  to initiate a lot for the Sapphires. With her Olympian father helping to hone her skills, she is a big player for Australia and helped them take the Asia U16 title last year.

Iryna Venskaya - Belarus

Any home nation needs their team to show pride and to fight for every ball - even if they are not one of the favorites. Bringing the hustle, the hard work and tenacious defense to try and get her team going, the guard will be essential. Her 10 steals against Lithuania last year at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship was a real highlight.

Sika Kone - Mali

With  star player Aissetou Coulibaly absent, it is going to fall mainly on the back of Kone to carry her team's hopes and she is capable of some big displays. She was excellent last year with a stellar 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game to take Mali to the title at the FIBA Women's U16 African Championship in Mozambique.

FIBA