UDINE/CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017) - It may only be three years away, but the dream of playing with her sister and her hero at the Tokyo Olympics remains a realistic prospect for Stephanie Mawuli.

If she continues to post big displays for Japan at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, then a senior call-up could come quicker than she thinks.

Her older sister Evelyn is a given of course, but to also line up with WNBA star Ramu Tokashiki would make it the ideal scenario for Mawuli - noted by her emphatic response when asked who she would prefer to play with at the showpiece tournament.

"Both," she stated, with an accompanying smile. "It's something that I can always look forward to, but I still have a long way to go. I am not currently ready or good enough for the senior team," added the forward.

It was a self-imposed reality-check which might temper the timescale in front of her. However, it certainly doesn't lessen her appetite to make the transition.

In fact she can already compare notes with her older sibling who is on that journey right now - making her debut in Bengaluru at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017. Indeed she made quite the splash on opening day, scoring 21 points off the bench.

"I didn't see the game, but we do keep in contact with each other online. I joked with her that I am playing in the bigger tournament anyway because this is a global competition." - Mawuli

Fully focused on helping Japan improve to 2-0 with a win against Hungary on Sunday, the younger Mawuli confessed she had not been able to follow her sister in action.

"I didn't see the game, but we do keep in contact with each other online," said Mawuli. "I joked with her that I am playing in the bigger tournament anyway because this is a global competition."

Mawuli knows about playing on a world stage as she also competed three years ago at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship in Pilsen when Japan took 7th spot.

Her role has changed a lot and that means she speaks more confidently than ever about her nation's prospects this time around and what she is able to offer.

"I can definitely score more and play even better and this is the aim I have," explained Mawuli, having been significant in wins against Australia and Hungary so far. "Last time [in Pilsen] I did't play many minutes, but this time I am playing more and this is a very good thing.

"In both games so far in this tournament we have played very well defensively and it has worked for us. Now I want us to be in the best four of the competition."

Japan conclude their opening phase campaign against Mexico on Tuesday, when they will be strong favorites to finish the job and top their Group with a 3-0 record.

FIBA