DEBRECEN (Hungary) - As the dust settles on the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Debrecen, there are plenty of talking points to consider from the flagship tournament.

Here are 10 things that we learned.

France's future twin towers could be scarily good

Dominique Malonga may have shown she can be in the senior team for the Paris Olympics 

The first global step for the formidable Dominique Malonga must have French fans celebrating wildly. That's because post Paris 2024, they will have two amazing young twin towers in her and Iliana Rupert. 20 minutes from each of them if they don't play together is quite the headache for other teams. But Malonga is so good, could she be on course to even make Paris? Very possibly - if not next years FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. Her displays were epic in Debrecen and she deserved that All-Star Five spot.

Egypt has got game with devastating one-two punch

Jana Elalfy and Jana Sallman turned heads with brilliant displays for Egypt who made history with three wins

Having not won a game on their previous appearance, how good was that display by Egypt? They finished in a very credible 11th spot after not only winning their first game in history, but pushing on and racking up three victories! The one two punch of Jana Elalfy and Jana Sallman was devastating, with both racking up huge numbers. But, can they now help the senior team to start challenging for Continental titles as a portal to a senior global appearance? We will see. But for now, we've seen that Egypt has got game!

Girls can dunk on the big stage too

It was a magnificent and historic moment for the women's youth game when Toby Lee Fournier of Canada threw down that dunk - the first in the history of the competition. And she is just 1.88 m (6ft2), with amazing jumping abilities. No more words needed!

Is it time to fast track Awa Fam Thiam?

Awa Fam Thiam just missed out on an All-Star Five spot after some super showings

While Spain have had huge success at the global senior level in the past decade or so, the biggest problem has been having size and a talented center. Benefitting from the naturalized Sancho Lyttle who helped enormously in racking up many historical high points, they now have Astou Ndour, but is it also time to fast track Awa Fam Thiam? She has some way to go to reach the level of the two ballers mentioned, but she played superbly and could be the answer in the short term, as well as medium to long term. Her quick hands and reading of the game was particularly interesting.

Future's bright for the new kids on the block 

The all-around game of Ajsa Sivka caught the eye

Both Slovenia and Germany debuted at the event and each gave strong performances. While the former didn't make the Quarter-Finals after one below par display that saw them bitten by Japan, it was a fabulous four wins for Slovenia. Equally Germany racked up a 7th place finish and both teams showed the future is bright with some excellent ballers. Not least, Ajsa Sivka of Slovenia and Annika Soltau.

Looking after the ball must move up the priority list

There were a lot of turnovers. Yes, that might just be the understatement of the year. It threw a spotlight on the heightened importance of looking after the ball as the women's game continues to evolve to be more athletic and played at a higher tempo.

Canada have got the real deal in Cassandre

Prosper confirmed her status as one of Canada's best prospects

Canada senior women's head coach Victor Lapena must be seriously excited to have seen Cassandre Prosper put in such a superb display to make the All-Star Five. She looks to be the real deal and a potential centerpiece for Canadian basketball in these next years. Looks an absolute lock to be a future star at the top level. You can vote for her in our poll on who will have the biggest pro career.

It's always going to take something extra special to dethrone USA

It was another unbeaten campaign for the five-time winners

Did we really learn this? We already knew it - right? We can at least say we were reminded of just how head and shoulders above everyone else the USA continues to be. They showed a great appetite to land another gold and while it was their fifth in six editions (not six out of six),  because of what happened when they weren't champions in 2016, that truly was the exception and not the rule. 

Demonstrable commitment to the women's game

FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis continues to show his commitment and enjoyment of the women's game and having that from the top of the organisation is always a hugely positive statement. He was in Debrecen to see the action up close.

@NextGenHoops is now the go-to place for youth ball

It wasn't only Slovenia and Germany debuting at the global level in this competition, but also new FIBA content channels @NextGenHoops on Twitter and Instagram. We learned there is no better place to keep in touch with the best of international youth basketball!

FIBA