DeShields, Romero, Nakamura provide multiple highlights in high-class women youth summer

REGENSBURG (David Hein’s Eye on the Future) - What a summer of youth women’s hoops in 2012! There were great stories from all over the globe, ranging from dominating USA, Spain and China to improving Japan and Netherlands and a Senegal return to the top.

The United States took gold in all three competitions in which they competed. Diamond DeShields captured the MVP in guiding Team USA to a repeat of their undefeated run to the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women title. She then hooked up with U17 teammates Kaela Davis, Erica McCall and Brianna Turner to capture gold in the Girls' Tournament at the 2012 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship. In both competitions the Americans beat Spain in the Final.

USA also claimed gold at the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship with Breanna Stewart claiming the MVP trophy as well as her fourth gold medal for the Red, White and Blue following U17 and U19 Worlds and U16 FIBA Americas crowns. With the title, the Americans also booked their spot in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women along with Brazil, Canada and Argentina.

Spain starlets Leticia Romero and Ariadna Pujol both had very busy summers, first helping the Iberians take fifth place in the FIBA Europe U18 Championship to qualify for the 2013 U19 Worlds before guiding Spain into the U17 World Championship Final and finishing the summer with another silver medal, this one earned in front of home fans in Alcobendas at the 3x3 FIBA U18 Worlds.

Spain’s youth program did pick up two gold medals this summer as Angela Salvadores carried the country to FIBA Europe U16 gold while Mariona Ortiz and Queralt Casas were All-Tournament Team selections for the FIBA Europe U20 champions.

The U20 European tournament saw a first as Turkey captured the bronze medal for their maiden medal at a women’s youth event.

The Dutch also had an impressive summer. Not only were they great hosts of the U17 World Championship – as first-time event holders – but they also picked up three best-ever performances.

They finished eighth in their first U17 Worlds appearance and took fourth at the U18 and U20 European tournaments. The U18 showing qualifies the Netherlands for the 2013 U19 World Championship, which will be their debut at the event. France, Russia and Serbia were the other teams from Europe to reach the 2013 tournament in Lithuania along with the hosts.

China booked their spot for next summer’s highlight for the 10th time by winning the FIBA Asia U18 Championship for the 13th time and eighth time in the last nine events. Huang Si Jing and the rest of the Chinese were too much for Japan, who took silver for the third time in four years.

Japan, who were also joined by bronze medalists Korea in reaching the U19 Worlds, finished off a strong summer with the performance.

Yunika Nakamura was one of the U18 stars after guiding Japan to the Semi-Finals of the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship and being named to the All-Tournament Team with Evelyn Mawuli.

FIBA Africa’s two representatives next summer at the U19 Worlds will be Senegal and Mali. Led by MVP Yacine Diop, the Senegalese used the home court advantage to beat Mali in the FIBA Africa U18 Championship Final for their first gold medal since 1985. Mali were a strong side with Aminta Traore and Fanta Guindo, both of whom who played for the Africans at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier in the summer.

The other big highlight during the 2012 summer for Mali was beating Brazil for their first victory and securing 10th place at the U17 World Championship after they had finished win-less and in last place at the 2010 U17 Worlds.

Besides China and the United States, the only other nation to qualify for all 10 U19 World Championships is Australia, who claimed the FIBA Oceania U18 Championship crown with a 3-0 sweep in their series against New Zealand.

The Gems were guided by Stephanie Talbot and Casey Samuels. The Australians also picked up a second medal this summer by winning bronze at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship.

The summer of 2013 will face a tough challenge to match the highlights of 2012.

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