Key Players to watch in the Women's Division of the 2019 Pacific Games
It's no longer a man's world especially in Pacific Games basketball as the women's division is also expected to bring an equally exciting competition.
Apia (Samoa) -- It's no longer a man's world especially in Pacific Games basketball as the women's division is also expected to bring an equally exciting competition.
Here are the women cagers to watch in the 2019 Pacific Games:
OCEANE LEFRANC (TAHITI)
The 25-year old LeFranc is going to be one of the pillars for the Tahitians.
At 5-foot-10, LeFranc is a multi-positional player equipped to be at par with her Pacific Games rivals.
She averaged 22.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through five games in Tahiti's Polynesia Cup silver medal run.
DESTINY CASTRO (GUAM)
Small but terrible.
That fits Castro's description and capabilities especially after leading the way for Guam in their 62-38 win over Republic of Marshall Islands in the Micronesia Games finale.
The Talafofo, Guam native Castro racked up 14 markers while also doing a good job of facilitating the attack of Guam which completed a clean tournament sweep.
A Notre Dame stalwart, Castro is currently a Chaminade University standout, being a second-team member of the Pacific West Conference.
She's also the team's Scholar-Athlete and Most Oustanding Player behind a 17.3-point average.
MILYAKERE KOVAMAINAVURE (FIJI)
Kovamainavure did not see action in the Melanesia Cup, making her a mystery player heading into the Pacific Games.
The 26-year old guard was a former Missouri Western State University stalwart, adding to Fiji's arsenal in a bid to win it all.
KEZIAH BRITTANY LEWIS (COOK ISLANDS)
The Cook Islands reigned supreme in the Polynesia Cup behind top gunner Lewis.
She was adjudged as the Tournament MVP, making her a marked woman in the Pacific Games.
She torched Polynesia Cup counterparts with an average of 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
JAZMINE DAVIS (AMERICAN SAMOA)
American Samoa settled for a Silver Medal finish in the 2015 Pacific Games.
But with Davis at the helm, expect the squad to go for the crown.
A legitimate WNBA player, Davis played for the Seatle Storm where she averaged 5.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.5 blocks.
The former Washington stalwart Davis is expected to bring her wealth of experience especially also being the Huskies' all-time leading scorer with 2,277 points.
BETTY ANGULA (PAPUA NEW GUINEA)
Angula spearheaded PNG's run to being the first ever Melanesia Cup champion.
She normed 12.3 points, and 6.0 rebounds in the Melanesia Cup to be the tournament MVP.
If that's not enough reason for her to be a feared woman in the Pacific Games, let her game to the talking as PNG bids to claim the coveted crown at last.
YOLANDA LUEPAK (NEW CALEDONIA)
Age is just a number and Luepak is a living proof of that.
At 36 years of age, the 5-foot-10 forward proved that she's still got it, tallying 10.0 points and 9.5 rebounds for New Caledonia which clinched the bronze medal in the Melanesia Cup to advance to the Pacific Games.
CHERISH MANUMALUEGA (SAMOA)
Manumaluega is one of the youngest players in the Pacific Games.
But does that not mean her being a newbie as Manumaluega has proven to be a young leader for Samoa.
She made it to the All-Star Five of the Polynesia Cup behind an average of 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists while also bringing her squad to a bronze medal finish to make it to the Pacific Games.
With a Samoan home crowd behind, do not be surprised if Manumaluega even surpasses that mark in a bid to bring Samoa to greater heights.
FIBA