PITESTI (Romania) - This FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket 2026 will once again provide the perfect stage for many of the leading young guns on the continent to test their skills and showcase their potential.
With so many exciting games waiting to swing into action and highlights reels ready to be filled, there is a lot to look forward to when the event tips-off on August 14 in Pitesti, Romania.
You can use the fan poll below to cast your vote and tell us who you think will have the biggest impact.
Here are just some of the best rising stars to look out for.
Anais Gobec - Slovenia
GUARD
Birth Date: June 4, 2011 (15 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.78 cm
A gifted playmaker, Gobec played a nice cameo at the 2025 edition when Slovenia made the Final for the first time. Composed, with a great skill-set and IQ, she's a top prospect. This was shown recently with a FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 All-Second Team place, despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament.
Lindiwe David Essaga - France
GUARD
Birth Date: January 12, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 5ft 11in / 1.80 cm
A star player last year as France suffered the rare disappointment of missing a ticket for the U17 Worlds, Essaga was the main bright spot. She had the joint highest tally of the tournament with a sparkling 31 points against Italy and led her team in efficiency, scoring and assists. Watch out for a repeat performance from the energetic guard.
Marta Petersone - Latvia
GUARD / SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: November 10, 2010 (15 years old) Height: 5ft 9in / 1.76 cm
Despite only modest production at the last edition, the swingman is ready to have a big influence this time around. In good form during preparation, she's also taken big steps during the last 12 months - selected as Guard of the Year in taking LSBL 2 champions Jurmala to title success in her homeland - as well as Prospect of The Year.
Urte Gureviciute - Lithuania
GUARD
Birth Date: February 10, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 5ft 8in / 1.72 cm
Gureviciute was instrumental in Lithuania being crowned winners of Division B last year as the second top scorer and netting more than 14 points per game. She also played the second most minutes which speaks volumes about her influence. Gureviciute continued honing her skills at Panevezys and will arrive ready to make a big noise again.
Nada Maksimovic - Serbia
CENTER
Birth Date: July 27, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 6ft 8in / 2.02cm
A super prospect, Maksimovic is being touted as one of the best Serbian rising stars around. Her height and size makes her a real matchup headache for opponents. This will be her third edition and most likely, her most impactful and productive. She'll work the low and high post to great effect, dominate the glass and be Serbia's centerpiece.
Eniko Halasy - Hungary
GUARD
Birth Date: July 19, 2011 (15 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.79 cm
It was an excellent debut last year from Halasy, who despite being one of the youngest players in the competition, led Hungary in efficiency, assists and steals. It underlines her talent and creative skills, while she also harvested a double-digit scoring return and added almost 5 boards per game for good measure. She'll be a leader once again.
Veronika Ferjancic - Slovenia
FORWARD / CENTER
Birth Date: January 14, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.91 cm
The centerpiece of her nation's historic run to the 2025 Final, the frontcourt ace was rewarded with a deserved place in the All-Star Five. Last month she took Slovenia to the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup Quarter-Finals with a tournament double-double. Her evolving post play and scoring touch was once again in evidence.
Anastasia Lishchuk - Spain
CENTER
Birth Date: December 6, 2011 (14 years old) Height: 6ft 8in / 2.03 cm
At just 13 years-old, the center helped Spain take gold last summer. Now after another year developing with Valencia Basket Club, Lishchuk is ready to make even more of a splash. Learning to use her height and size better at both ends of the floor, watch out for her scoring and rebounding numbers to tick up in a big way at this edition.
Michal Abudram - Israel
FORWARD
Birth Date: July 27, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.82 cm
Likely to be the driving force behind Israel's campaign, the forward had a near tournament double-double at the 2025 edition. She also showed her maturity with strong displays against players 3-4 years older at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025. Abudram will be looking to dominate in the paint on both ends of the floor.
Hanna Kenig - Poland
GUARD
Birth Date: January 8, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.80 cm
While playing a modest role last year, the expectations are that Kenig will step up at this edition and increase her production for Poland. Especially since she has spent the last year playing in Spain in Valencia. The guard can score all over the floor, has nice handles, but will want to up her accuracy from downtown compared to 2025.
FIBA