BANGKOK (Thailand) - The FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup continues to be a major stopping off point on the journey to the WNBA.

Whether it is those who have already managed to light it up Stateside, or others who have been drafted, countless players have used the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup as a perfect showcase for their burgeoning talent.

The question is whether those playing at the 2019 edition will continue this tradition? It certainly provides an added motivation to bring their 'A-Game' in Bangkok!

Here is a selection of those who have all competed at the event during the last decade and seen it fuel their WNBA prospects.

Liz Cambage - Australia (2009)

An iconic figure in the women's game worldwide, the first outing for Cambage at the global level came in Bangkok 10 years ago, when she was the leading scorer in the tournament with a stellar 20 points per game for the Gems. She went on to throw down a landmark Olympic dunk at London 2012 for the Opals and last year, carried her country to the Final of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup  - also making the All-Star Five. She also set a string of records after pouring in a spectacular 53 points last year in the WNBA for the Dallas Wings.

Maria Vadeeva - Russia (2015 and 2017)

The big story at the previous edition of this event, Vadeeva won the MVP award after taking Russia to a shock victory over the USA  as they won their first title for almost three decades - the previous gold being under the banner of the Soviet Union. Vadeeva was a colossus with a massive 18 points and 14 boards per game - something which helped to lead to her being drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks and then making her WNBA debut last year. 

Breanna Stewart - USA (2011 and 2013)

Stewart gave fans around the globe a first glimpse of her stellar talent and potential in Chile 8 years ago when she was instrumental in USA topping the podium. Two years later and she was playing the starring role in taking USA to a fifth straight title and picking up the MVP gong in the process. That of course would be followed by so many more winners' medals and individual accolades. Prior to her recent injury blow. sustained at EuroLeague Women Final Four, Stewart had carried the Seattle Storm to the WNBA Championship, took Regular Season MVP honors, then the same in the Finals - prior to being crowned MVP as the USA won gold at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

Astou Ndour - Spain (2011 and 2013)

It was a memorable debut at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup for Ndour, who helped propel Spain all the way to the Final in 2011. She then appeared two years later in Lithuania and at both events she came so close to racking up superb tournament double-doubles. The forward has played with San Antonio in the WNBA and most recently, the Chicago Sky - also stepping up with huge success for the Spanish national team and making the All-STar Five at last year's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. 

A'Ja Wilson - USA (2013 and 2015)

The American landed back to back titles in Lithuania in 2013 and then two years later in Russia. Push the fast forward button to three years later and Wilson was being crowned the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year due to her her stellar work for the Las Vegas Aces. She was always destined to be a smash in the WNBA, having showed all of that talent and potential in a USA shirt at youth level, also walking away with the MVP accolade in Chekhov. Last year she then made the breakthrough by appearing with the senior side and winning gold at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

Skylar Diggins-Smith - USA (2009)

With over a million Instagram followers, Diggins-Smith is one of the most high-profile female athletes in global sport - let alone basketball or the WNBA. She played at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup back in 2009, an event which was also held in the Thai capital. Since winning that gold medal, her career has witnessed six WNBA campaigns for the Tusla Shock / Dallas Wings  - her success highlighted by the fact she has amassed more 20-point games than anyone else in franchise history.

Xu Han - China (2017)

She may have only been drafted earlier this year and is still yet to step out in the WNBA, but being picked by the New York Liberty in the Second Round was huge for the women's game. It made a statement to players from not only China, but also the Asia Region and much of her best work and ability to show what she can do has come from FIBA events. She was super two years ago in Udine where the towering center finished with a tournament double-double of almost 16 points and 11 boards per game. She also debuted with China at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife last year.

FIBA