BRNO (Czechia) - The FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup has seen some phenomenal players over the course of 40 years, but who are the biggest stars to have stepped out at the event?
We've somehow tried to trim the contenders to 30, mixing it up across all continents and covering all four decades of action.
In what will be a three-part series leading up to the action at this year's edition tipping off in Brno during July, here's the first installment covering places 30-21.
30. Erika De Souza, Brazil (2001)
The only South American baller in the chart, De Souza is a Brazilian legend and was a go-to player for almost 15 years, and lighting it up in all the major competitions. The center competed at U19 back in 2001 with a superb tournament double-double of more than 16 points and 10 boards per game - very much a sign of things to come!
29. Yueru Li, China (2017)
Li actually made her FIBA global youth debut in Udine in 2017 and a modest showing helped China to finish 7th. Since then, she has become a leading light for the senior national team - making the Final of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2022 and also appearing at two editions of the Olympic Games.
28. Sika Kone, Mali (2019 and 2021)
Kone was on fire in both 2019 and 2021, with few, if any players ever having such phenomenal numbers. She averaged 17.3 points and 14.4 boards per game across both tournaments. Has since played at the FIBA Worlds with the senior team and was a EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year. She's on course to be an African legend.
27. Rui Machida, Japan (2011)
The Olympic assists record-breaker was the heartbeat of Japan's now famous run to the Final on home soil at Tokyo 2020. Machida was unreal in the competition and posted one of the all-time great Olympic tournament displays, having first played at the U19 Worlds exactly a decade before stepping out in the Japanese capital.
26. Eva Viteckova, Czechia (2001)
The winger and forward became a standout baller on the biggest stages for Czechia, having helped her team win gold at the 2001 edition on home soil. That came before getting to the Final of the senior Worlds on home soil in 2010. A three-time Olympian she won the FIBA Women's EuroBasket in 2005 and EuroLeague Women twice.
25. Astou Ndour, Spain (2011 and 2013)
She debuted in 2011 and helped Spain make the Final as top scorer and rebounder - a feat replicated 2 years later. She became a marquee baller for Spain, including making the All-Star Five at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2018 and being crowned the FIBA Women's EuroBasket MVP in 2019. She is also a two-time Olympian.
24. Xu Han, China (2017)
The towering size of the center saw her height, mobility and sweet shooting touch on show as she racked up 15.9 points and 11 boards per game in 2017. She then debuted a year later at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and then made the 2022 Final. A FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 MVP and winner, she's also a two-time Olympian.
23. Paige Bueckers, USA (2019)
While this could be premature with Bueckers having not yet broken into the USA senior set-up, few would argue (including her more than 2 million Instagram followers) that the 2019 MVP has the opportunity to become a great baller. She signed off with UConn earlier this year as National Champion and is set to make more moves as a pro.
22. Miao Lijie, China (1997)
Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2024, that underlined what a great contributor Lijie was for her country. She played at the 1997 edition and went on to exceptional things as a scorer, leader and great competitor. It included four FIBA Women's Basketball World Cups, three Olympic Games and three FIBA Women's Asia Cup golds.
21. Michele Timms, Australia (1985)
A FIBA Hall of Fame inductee in 2016, Timms is always in the mix about who is the best ever Opals baller. A solid offering in 1985 when Australia finished in sixth place was no sign of what would follow in a fantastic career. She posted multiple FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and Olympic appearances, playing for her country 264 times.
Our next Volume will take us through the 20-11 places.
FIBA