ESP - Ndour dazzles

LAS PALMAS (EuroBasket Women/FIBA World Championship) - Astou Ndour's career is starting to take off in a big way.

The 1.96m center who was born in Dakar, Senegal, but has played for Spain's youth teams, only just celebrated her 18th birthday in August but already she is proving to be a handful for all of Gran Canaria's opponents in both the Eurocup Women and Spain's top flight.

Over the weekend, she shone bright for the Canary Islanders in their 88-85 win over C.B. Bembibre PDM, a game that had two overtimes.

Playing more than 46 minutes in front of the home fans, Ndour had 24 points and 18 rebounds.

As a result, Ndour has been named Player of the Week in the Liga Femenina.

Ndour has a long way to go before she reaches her full potential, which is a frightening prospect for the other pivots that are going to battle against her in the low post.

One area that needs some work judging from he latest performance is her free-throw shooting.

Ndour made just 10 of her 20 attempts.

The country that has already benefited from Ndour is Spain.

She had a memorable summer in 2011, playing for the national team in three competitions - and coming away with as many medals.

At the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Chile, she averaged 12.1 points and 9.1 rebounds to help the side capture a silver medal. She returned from the Americas to help Spain take a bronze at the U18 European Championship.

A month later, Ndour helped Spain to victory in the girls' competition at the inaugural FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship in Rimini, Italy.

She was a part of Spain's U18 3x3 girls team again this past summer. While the home side were unable to defend that title in Alcobendas, they came away with a well-deserved silver.

Ndour did not play for the senior national team in the EuroBasket Qualification Round, but a call-up for next year's EuroBasket Women in France is a strong possibility.

In two years, Ndour may be so good that she will find a place in the national squad at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey, if they qualify.

FIBA