DEBRECEN (Hungary) - As the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 splits into a medal race, alongside those playing for pride and classification places, it's a good time to update the Power Rankings.

Taking into account performances in the competition so far, along with what lies ahead in terms of the draw, and looking back at the first volume of the rankings, here's how things are looking.

#16 Argentina (-1)

Tournament Record: 0 W - 4 L Argentina are pondering how they can close the gap right now after many big losses

There's a lot to think about for Argentina, their players, coaches and staff, since it has been a tough assignment so far. Expected to struggle, it's been even worse than anticipated. The offensive struggle is key and they just don't have the scoring depth to stay competitive in each game - or the size to control the rebounds. They've not even made 1 in 4 shots inside either. They'll now hope to gain confidence with potential wins in the Classification Games.

#15 Mexico (-1)

Tournament Record: 0 W - 4 L

Mexico have struggled to even keep within 30 points of their various opponents

It seems a long time since Mexico won that bronze medal at the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship last year. They had landed in Debrecen hoping to make an impression and even if they knew it would be difficult, a series of huge losses has deflated that optimism. Not able to get within 30 of anybody, they have struggled. Top scorer Beatriz Zazueta top scorer with less than 8 points tells the story of their difficulties.

#14 Korea  (-3)

Tournament Record: 0 W - 4 L

The first day defeat to Egypt has shaped a winless campaign so far for Korea

The drop for Korea represents perhaps the biggest disappointment of any team in the tournament. Having won  a bronze medal in Amman at the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship, there was a feeling they might do better - even if making the Quarter-Finals was always unlikely. Far too many turnovers has hurt them, along with that opening day loss against Egypt which they could and will feel they should have maybe won. It's been frustrating!

#13 New Zealand  (-)

Tournament Record: 1 W - 3 L

    New Zealand have lost a few big ones, but also racked up a precious win at only their second U17 appearance

At times, New Zealand have looked way out of their depth in games, but as the fourth best team in Asia at the recent U16 tournament, it's no big surprise. The big plus point is that they have a win on the board, beating Mali in a close one and will be hoping they can add to it in these next days. But they simply must do a better job with the ball because 29 turnovers per game is killing them. Meanwhile Maia Jones top scorer with 8 points shows their struggle on offense.

#12 Egypt (+4)

Tournament Record: 1 W - 3 L              Having made history, will Egypt be cheering another victory before the curtain falls on Sunday?

It's a huge rise for Egypt and why not? They won that first day encounter against Korea to make history with their first ever win in the competition and that must be applauded. The same can be said for their star ballers Jana Elalfy and Jana Sallman who have been outstanding with huge numbers. Opportunity knocks for them to get at least one more win before the tournament closes.

#11 Mali  (+1)

Tournament Record: 0 W - 4 L

Mali has always brought solid defense but still came up short at the other end of the floor

Having won more than once in the past couple of editions, the biggest opportunity for Mali to repeat that came against New Zealand and they couldn't get it done.  Their defense has been decent and Rokiatou Berthe and Mama Sidiki Doumbia have been positives. Even if they are still winless, they deserve a rise for coming close to completing one of the biggest ever upsets and knocking out Spain before a tight loss in that Round of 16 game.

#10 Belgium  (-)

Tournament Record: 2 W - 2 L
The 50-50 record so far is probably right where most people expected Belgium to be at this stage

It's been an up and down tournament for Belgium who had an impressive win against Japan to go with a success against Mexico but were way off the pace against better opposition such as Hungary and Australia with double-digit losses. In the middle of almost all statistical rankings epitomizes their middle ranking here. Respectable but average probably covers it right now. Props to Kyra Bruyndoncx and Pauline Bayart who have impressed. 

#9 Slovenia (-3)

Tournament Record: 2 W - 2 L

It has been an amazing roller-coaster debut for Slovenia

This will feel very harsh on Slovenia, but is a symptom of being so highly ranked and favored at #6 in the first ranking. Whatever happens they can be so proud of their historical and epic overtime win against Australia, followed by a success against Argentina. But they can't be top 8 after losing to Japan. They have missed a lot of free-throws in the competition, but seeing Ajsa Sivka on the big stage has been a delight for neutrals, while Lea Bartelme and her triple-double was also memorable.

#8  Japan  (-3)

Tournament Record: 2 W - 2 L
Japan's joy at making the Quarter-Finals has been tempered by being paired with the USA

You can not be any other ranking than eighth place when you have made the Quarter-Finals and you are coming up against USA next up. Credit to Japan for reaching this stage because they had not been very convincing during their group campaign. The success against Slovenia was well-timed. Haruka Yagi has played well and they have shot the ball solid from long-range. But they are surely destined to fight it out for 5-8 place.

#7 Germany (+2)

Tournament Record: 3 W - 1 LThere has been a lot to love so far on Germany's U17 debut

The debutantes have had a really nice showing so far - aside from a capitulation against the USA. Although you can't beat them up too much about that. France next up is a massive test, but they do have their own high end performers who are capable of big things in the shape of Annika Soltau and Mailien Rolf. They have also rebounded really well.

#6 Australia (-2)

Tournament Record: 2 W - 2 LAustralia can transform the feel of their campaign with a win against Spain 

This is probably going to be quite contentious, but it's quite hard to rate how the Sapphires have done as they have had such a mixed tournament. That first day overtime loss to Slovenia maybe shocked them a little and even if they were better against France, they still lost that too. With wins against struggling Argentina and a mediocre Belgium they have much to prove in the Quarter-Finals against Spain. They have an eye-watering 23 turnovers per game which needs to improve, while positives are the showings from Jayda Clark, Jessica Petrie and Isla Juffermans.

#5 Canada (+2)

Tournament Record: 3 W - 1 L
Canada have their sights set on a possible podium place after a positive showing so far

With more luck, Canada could have been unbeaten, having won all their outings except  that narrow one-shot game against Spain. That is maybe the only concern, whether they can deal with a tight one down the stretch. However, it's all positive right now and they could easily be swapped in these rankings with Hungary as that looks a coin-toss game on paper. The twin turbos of Cassandre Prosper and Toby Lee Fournier show no signs of slowing down.

#4 Hungary (+4)

Tournament Record: 4 W - 0 L
Hungary have dealt with the pressure of being hosts - so far at least

The host nation have had a dream start with four wins from four games, led by the amazing performances of Petra Toman who has been a real marquee player as hoped.  Meanwhile Edina Strausz, Lili Gabor and Dora Kastl have given great cameos too. As a team they've moved the ball well. shot the ball well and made free-throws. The game with Canada will be really tough but they have some momentum and an opportunity of successive Semi-Final places.

#3 Spain (-)

Tournament Record: 4 W - 0 LWill two narrow wins so far actually be a blessing for Spain in the fight for medals?

Some might argue that Spain are fortunate to hold their ranking after a narrow win against Canada in the group play and then almost blowing it completely as they struggled to see off Mali. But they showed composure and mental strength to come through it. That should serve them well down the competition stretch. Some 22 turnovers per game is the downside so far, while Iyana Martin Carrion and Awa Fam Thiam are big upsides.

#2 France (-)

Tournament Record: 4 W - 0 L
                                      There is a whole lot to love about France so far in a flawless campaign

Led by what is proving to be a highly impressive one-two punch of Dominique Malonga and Marine Dursus, the flawless French team have a lot to celebrate. They have shot the ball well from outside, used their physical presence nicely inside, grabbed plenty of steals and it's looking good at both ends of the floor. Another medal in store?

#1 USA  (-)

Tournament Record: 4 W - 0 L
           As well as talent, USA looks to have good chemistry too and remain the high bar for everyone else

Still the team to beat, the unbeaten USA have re-enforced their status as massive favorites. They started relatively modestly but have shifted up the gears with each game, perhaps showing their true power against Germany when they forced a mammoth 39 turnovers. They also have a good togetherness. Breya Cunningham, Mackenly Rudolph, Juju Watkins and Jada Williams have all impressed. Surely gold is a formality? It's just a case of who will get MVP?

*The opinions are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.

FIBA