LA PALMA (Spain) - With the Group Phase in the rear view mirror and the Round of 16 set to tip off, eight players several standout performers have already begun to make their mark at FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket.
Ahead of the knockout phase, here are the eight players and what they have brought to their team and the competition.
Maria Burliga - Poland
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: September 17 2007 (17 years old) Height: 185 cm / 6'1" Tournament Stats: 9.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 2.7 BPG
A driving force behind Poland’s impressive start to FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket at both ends of the floor, Maria Burliga has an unselfish approach to the game that makes her every coach's dream. A standout 12 points and 12 rebounds on Day 1 against Czechia set the tone for Burliga, averaging 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks heading to the Round of 16.
Adriana Diaz - Spain
CENTER
Birth Date: April 9, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 183 cm / 6'0" Tournament Stats: 10.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG
Despite being a little subdued on the scoring front against Poland, Spain's Adriana Diaz adjusted and dished the ball to her teammates to score, securing four assists as her team stayed perfect . It highlights her versatility as a player and her ability to adapt. Shooting 59 percent from the field, Diaz's shot selection has been sublime with a 12-point effort against Türkiye, followed by 14 against Czechia.
Anna Gardziella - Finland
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: March 17, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 183 cm / 6'0" Tournament Stats: 14.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG
In her three games, Anna Gardziella has been thrilling the crowds in La Palma with her deadly range from deep. The 17 year old has gone 11-for-21 from three-point land during the Group Phase, good for 52 percent, but it's her off-ball movement and ability to get open that has made her such a weapon, making Finland a team you can’t sleep on.
Annie Kibedi - Belgium
FORWARD
Birth Date: May 24, 2008 (17 years old) Height: 187 cm / 6'2" Tournament Stats: 15.3 PPG, 10 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Belgium's Annie Kibedi has averaged a double-double of 15.3 points and 10 rebounds so far, plus she has racked up a competition-best efficiency rating of 29, set in her side's victory over Portugal, recording a double-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists in just 24 minutes on the floor. A fiercely tenacious player, Kibedi has shot 54 percent from the floor and has got to the stripe on a regular basis.
Anna Liepina - Latvia
CENTER
Birth Date: April 17, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 190 cm / 6'3" Tournament Stats: 20.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG
Anna Liepina has been an offensive force not only for Latvia but in the competition, recording three straight doubles-doubles during the Group Phase. She averages a joint tournament-high 20.3 points on an impressive 56.7 percent from the field as well as 11.3 rebounds, collecting more offensive boards than any other player heading into the Round of 16 with 13.
Justine Loubens - France
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: June 27, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 186 cm / 6'1" Tournament Stats: 12.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG
Title holders France have showcased their superiority in this year’s FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket, with firepower in all facets of their game. Justine Loubens has been a standout so far. The forward has averaged 12.7 points on a tournament-high 72 percent from the field, missing only seven of her 25 attempts in total. Efficiency personified.
Nicole Ogun - Finland
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: May 25, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 183 cm / 6'0" Tournament Stats: 12.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.7 SPG Alongside her teammate, Gardziella, Nicole Ogun has made Finland a significant threat as we head to the knockout phases of the tournament. As hot as the La Palma sun, Ogun went 10-for-12 for 21 points in their opener against Slovenia and has averaged 12.3 points a game along with 8 rebounds.
Tjasa Turnsek - Slovenia
FORWARD
Birth Date: May 16, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 188 cm / 6'2" Tournament Stats: 20.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.0 APG
Joining Liepina on top of the scoring charts is Slovenia’s Tjasa Turnsek, matching her Latvian counterpart with 20.3 points per contest, taking on average 14 field goal attempts per game, making her Slovenia’s go-to attacking option. She also pulls down 6.7 rebounds over the last three games.
FIBA