The top 3 reasons BLMA can win EuroCup Women

MONTPELLIER (France) - The EuroCup Women field remains wide open ahead of the Quarter-Finals and we're here with the reasons why BLMA can go all the way in the competition.

BLMA have been a frontrunner all season long and remain so, as they now prepare to face domestic rivals, Carolo Basket.

1. Sami Whitcomb

No player has quite held the hot hand in EuroCup Women like Whitcomb. A reigning WNBA champion with Seattle and having helped propel Australia to the Final of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018, the quality and production of the Opals' star continues to soar. She has had a sensational year and has put up some quite eye-bulging numbers, firmly establishing herself as one of the premier EuroCup Women players. Averaging a stellar 20.9 points per game from a white-hot 54.8 percent from the floor, it has been her firepower from the perimeter that has impressed most, having made more triples than anybody else in the entire competition. Often overlooked are the other sides to her game - the team ethic (despite being a leading light) and near 3 assists per outing - as well as the fact she is a defensive power with more steals per game than any of her teammates. Yes, a class act at both ends of the floor.

2. Experience with so many France NT members

One thing that BLMA certainly don't lack is experience and know-how, since the spine of their team is peppered with a glut of France national team players who know exactly what it takes at the elite level. The frontcourt in particular has such a hardened nose if everyone is healthy and not least, veteran warrior Endy Miyem and the sheer size and matchup headache posed by the presence of Helena Ciak. Throw in the likes of Diandra Tchatchouang (pictured) on the wing and guards such as Romane Bernies and Alix Duchet, who both also played for their country in Tenerife at the World Cup last year and you are getting towards almost half of the French roster. That solidity and reliability gives a priceless foundation to build success around.

3. A supreme 'X-Factor' in Ana Dabovic

'Oh wow!' was probably the reaction of most women's basketball fans in general when news broke recently that FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2015 MVP, former WNBA champion and ex-EuroCup Women winner, Ana Dabovic has penned a deal with the French side. The Serbian ace is likely to need some time to fine tune her game fitness having not played anywhere else this season, but if she fires on all cylinders, BLMA have added one of the best difference-makers, momentum-shifters and game-winners not only in EuroCup Women, but in the global female game. In some cases, it might have seemed a slight gamble to bring in a player with a big personality and skills when things have been going well, but it looks like a master-stroke. That is because the rest of the BLMA team is so consistent and rock solid, that they can do the dirty work, while Dabovic and Whitcomb let fly. It could be the signing that gives BLMA the extra edge needed to hit the top step of the podium.

FIBA​