BERLIN (Germany) - A number of prominent ballers are about to take their first FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup footsteps for their respective nations.
In addition to many of the rising stars who will be making their debut at this year's big show, we have selected 10 players who are getting set to appear at the showpiece for the first time.
You can also let us know which debutante you are most excited to watch by casting your vote in the fan poll below.
Caitlin Clark - USA
GUARD
Birth Date: January 10, 2002 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.83 cm
There's surely never been this level of hype and buzz for any player making a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup debut - or maybe for any major tournament debut. The guard stepped into the mix at the Qualifying Tournament and was an instant hit, cleaning up with TISSOT MVP honors in San Juan.
Now a first senior gold is up for grabs and while it feels an inevitability this will soon be in her hands, the really big question is what kind of role and impact she'll have in Berlin? It's going to be heaps of fun finding out.
Napheesa Collier - USA
FORWARD
Birth Date: September 23, 1996 (29 years old) Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86 cm
A class act, the outstanding Collier never played at Sydney 2022 when the USA won their fourth consecutive title. Now she will finally get to play in the competition, having last featured for her country at Paris 2024 when they were crowned Olympic champions after that nail-biter with France.
Collier will bring her assured skill-set to the table for USA and will no doubt be a key cog in the wheel. She will take smart shots, be diligent on the glass and also defensively, to underline what a quality baller she is.
Janelle Salaun - France
FORWARD
Birth Date: September 5, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 2in / 1.88 cm
The forward was on fire in front of the home fans in Lyon-Villeurbanne at the Qualifying Tournament, deservedly taking the TISSOT MVP crown after a string of stellar performances. Finishing as the leading scorer for France with almost 17.0 points per game, Salaun can be a major force in Berlin.
She is always willing to take responsibility for shooting the ball and could be a difference-maker. She already has the Paris 2024 Olympics as well as two FIBA Women's EuroBasket editions on her resume.
Raquel Carrera - Spain
CENTER / FORWARD
Birth Date: October 31, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm
Cruelly denied the opportunity to play at Paris 2024 because of a heartbreaking injury before the competition, Carerra also missed out on Sydney 2022 after Spain somehow failed to qualify - despite having taken medals at the three previous World Cup editions. That means the frontcourt ace is set to make up for lost time.
She's already posted super displays for Spain when taking silver at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 and 2025, making the All-Star Five in the latter. Now Carrera looks ready to be a go-to option again for her country.
Alexis Peterson - Germany
GUARD
Birth Date: June 20, 1995 (31 years old) Height: 5ft 5in / 1.65 cm
At 31 years old, Peterson will take her World Cup bow and will do so as their primary playmaker with a lot of pressure on her shoulders to continue her great work.
Ever since she pulled on a Germany jersey two years ago in Paris, she has done an exceptional job. She directs traffic expertly, brings great leadership and is a composed veteran who is always ready to step up.
Paige Bueckers - USA
GUARD
Birth Date: October 20, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.83cm
The anticipation was huge at the Qualifying Tournament when Bueckers ended a seven year wait to represent the USA senior side, having previously been MVP of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in 2019. That patience has been rewarded by making it onto the final World Cup roster after impressing in San Juan.
There's a lot to love about the guard and it will be interesting how much of a role she plays, with USA searching for a new backcourt dynasty to follow the legendary duo of Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird.
Victoria Macaulay - Nigeria
FORWARD / CENTER
Birth Date: August 7, 1990 (36 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm
It's an amazing prospect that at 36 years old, Macaulay will get to make a World Cup debut. Even more exciting is that she could also turn out to be Nigeria's primary player in Berlin. After all, she has already shown just how impactful she can be at the global level, having racked up more than 12.0 points per game at Tokyo 2020.
Meanwhile she also led her country in scoring at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon-Villeurbanne and that resulted in her being rewarded with an All-Star Five spot. Her strength, poise and experience will be vital.
Sevgi Uzun - Türkiye
GUARD
Birth Date: November 25, 1997 (28 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.78 cm
With Türkiye back on the global radar for the first time since 2018, an event that came before Ugun truly stepped up to the senior team, the guard will finally get to show why she's the heartbeat of the team at the highest level. A standout figure, she leads by example in every way on both ends of the floor.
A super smart guard who will set the tone, Uzun will take responsibility and make clutch plays Her elevation to national team leader has come alongside big success at club level in recent times.
Shuyu Yang - China
GUARD
Birth Date: March 6, 2002 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.83 cm
While Yang might not be the most prominent name on the list of debutantes set to shine, don't be surprised if she has a huge impact for China. With the focus on her nation's so-called 'Triple Towers', the backcourt has understandably been overlooked a little.
Yang has the capacity to bring a lot of noise with her skilled guard play and is growing in influence. That was clear when she made the All-Star Five at the Qualifying Tournament in Wuhan back in March.
Angel Reese - USA
FORWARD
Birth Date: May 6, 2002 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm
While Reese takes the crown off the court for having more followers than any other player on Instagram at a staggering figure of 5.2 million, she is also capable of catching attention on the court. She has played FIBA Women's AmeriCup previously and missed out on Paris 2024, so this first World Cup feels huge for her.
The signs were good at the Qualifying Tournament in San Juan as she posted an efficient and slick campaign. But now with A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart back, any available frontcourt minutes just got squeezed really hard.
FIBA