Dominant China a force to be reckoned with at next year's U19 Women's World Championship

MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on my Mind) - China went undefeated in the recently concluded FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women 2016 that was held in Bangkok, Thailand, and it could be a harbinger of things to come for coach Cong Xuedi's wards, especially when they begin their build up for the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women 2017 in Italy.

China, after all, not just swept the competition, but did so in devastating fashion. They won every game by at least 15 points, and outscored their foes in 25 of 28 quarters. They were the best team in terms of scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks, field goal shooting and three-point shooting, and three of the top five players in the entire competition (based on player efficiency) were from China.

It is clear that China really were the most deserving team to be called Women's U19 Champions for Asia. Historically, this is their fifteenth U19 Women's title and twentieth time to finish on the podium. It cannot be underscored enough that they are the undisputed queens of Asian young women's hoops, and, judging by their performance and the quality of players on their roster, they may yet make an even bigger impact in next year’s U19 world-level tournament.

A glance at coach Cong's line-up makes it easy to believe that, indeed, the East Asian side can make waves in 2017.

At the spearhead, of course, is the twin tower combination of Li Yueru and Han Xu.

Li was, hands down, the best player of the entire eight-day competition. She averaged 15.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 53.8% from the field. She was dominant all throughout, but she saved her best for last, putting up 22 points, 23 rebounds and 3 assists in the Final against perennial rivals Japan. At 2.00m and just 17 years of age, Li is already so good, and she still has so much upside. Don't be surprised if she becomes an even more imposing player when China fly to Italy for next year's U19 world championship.

Her partner in crime in the paint was the ballyhooed Han Xu. Towering at 2.05m, Han was the tallest player in the entire competition, and it was not difficult at all for her to imposer her will in the shaded lane. She did not play as heavily as Li did, but when Han was on the floor, hardly anybody could contain her. Her best outing was in the group stage against Japan, where she recorded 19 points, 10 rebounds and an eye-popping 7 blocked shots. She chose to play a more deferred role in China's last few outings, but the 17-year-old still managed to notch amazing stats - 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and a tournament-high 2.9 rejections per contest. With her in the middle, China are sure to be very competitive against even the top teams from Europe and the Americas next year.

China, of course, were not just about height. Rounding out their balanced attack was wily guard Wang Jiaqi. At only 1.70m, Wang was by no means as physically imposing as Li and Han, but she provided sharp outside shooting and crisp playmaking that enabled China's hulking frontline to have easier time imposing their will. Wang led the entire tournament in assists with 5.7 per game while also hitting 2.0 three-pointers per outing. She was actually China's leading scorer in the competition, and, despite her diminutive stature, she's certainly one to watch for next year and for their country's senior women’s team.

When the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women 2017 opens next July in Italy, much of the attention will probably be on the likes of Russia's Raisa Musina, France's Alexia Chartereau and Team USA's Lauren Cox, but pundits and fans alike should not look past China, who are bidding to turn some heads led by their big three of Li Yueru, Han Xu and Wang Jiaqi.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

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