A girl named Maria

BUDAPEST (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Comparisons to Maria Stepanova are quite a burden to place on any 16-year-old, even one who has emerged as Russia's most exciting talent in a generation at a time when the country is attempting to rebuild from its lowest ebb.

Three years ago, an Olympic Games came and went without one of its most successful nations. Stepanova, a certainty to one day enter the FIBA Hall of Fame, had waved goodbye to the international game which she had graced for so long.

But as one door closes, another opens, and fresh faces emerge to fill the void. 

Maria Vadeeva came to EuroBasket Women 2015 as a relative unknown. Wherever her nation is ranked when the tournament concludes this coming weekend, her days of anonymity are at an end.

As she prepares to play in Thursday's quarter-final against France, the Moscow-born center is taking the event in her stride.

"It's a huge one, a big experience, the first time I've had this in my life," she smiled. "I'm so ready to play against France and fight."

Twelve months ago, she was preparing for the U16 European Championship Women in Debrecen, where she was named MVP in Russia's run to gold.

A year on, and Vadeeva is back in Hungary, not even just for the mere experience, but playing a major role - averaging 11.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in seven games to date.

"It is what I expected," she says. "There are so many solid teams and every group and every round is more important."

Russia head coach Anatoliy Myshkin has kept a special watch on his prodigy. He has received his instructions from Vadeeva's mother Olga, whom he has known since they were both team-mates together at CSKA Moscow many years ago.

"Mum and coach have been talking while I've been with the team," she acknowledged.

Any special treatment?

"That's a secret," she laughed.

Her father was a fine player too. To date, she has seen neither play on video. YouTube has not got their uploads. Still, they have provided assists.

"My Mum helped me improve a lot, every day, every practice," the younger Vadeeva recalled.

"She showed me both small things and where I was making big mistakes because she knows me so well."

They [team-mates] were really good to me when I came. They made me feel very comfortable, by giving me support in the locker room and on the court. - Vadeeva

Others have helped too, besides Myshkin. This is an experienced Russian roster with only four players under the age of 25, a group who already know each other well.

One of the products of Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje's development system, Vadeeva has repaid the faith of so many. Basketball is everything, for now.

"I don't get any time for hobbies," she said.

Ambitions are high. Even now, with time on her side.

"I want to be an Olympic champion," Vadeeva declared.

It's a feat even Stepanova never accomplished. Yet the newcomer's potential seems limitless. Russia's teenage tyro has no reason to place a ceiling on her dreams.

Go to EuroBasketWomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA