Which players will have the biggest impact at #FIBAU18Europe in Konya?

KONYA (Turkey) - There will be an array of rising stars all showcasing their talent at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship, but who are the leading players to watch when the action gets underway?

Here are just some of the ballers that you should have on your watch-list for the tournament in Konya. You can also use the fan vote below to tell us who you think will have the biggest impact.

Iyana Martin Carrion - Spain

The free-scoring Martin Carrion is establishing herself as one of the best young players around and a future senior candidate. She was MVP of the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship last summer after netting 17 points per game. Carrion also landed silver and another All-Star Five place at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup with more than 13 points and 6 assists per outing. 

Tea Cleante  - France

Cleante is another baller who excelled at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2022 in Matosinhos when helping France take gold, as well as at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Hungary when she stood on the third podium step. The guard is a skilled player who can create for herself in so many different situations. Speedy and with a good IQ, she will look to provide the main offensive touch for her team.

Elif Istanbulluoglu - Turkey

The sheer size alone of Istanbulluoglu is enough to strike fear into her opponents who are trying to defend her in the paint. Throw in the fact that she has skill, poise and already some senior national team experience, as well as having played minutes for EuroLeague Women champions Fenerbahce and you can understand why she is the hosts' main hope. If she plays well, Turkey can get excited.

Marija Avlijas - Serbia

An essential player in Serbia's promotion from Division B last year, Avlijas is back for the next task of keeping them in the top flight and maybe making a deep run. If Serbia manage it, then she will be a driving force and especially on offense. She poured in a spectacular 25 points per game at the FIBA U16 Women's Challengers in 2021 and its no wonder NCAA College side Ole Miss have snapped her up.

Marine Dursus - France

It's a second French entry as Dursus is also looking to star for this team. She was one of the players earlier this year when she participated at the inaugural Women's game at the Nike Hoops Summit which speaks volumes and carries on from an excellent showing last year at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup. Watch out for her on-ball strength and scoring power.

Kyra Bruyndoncx - Belgium

Belgian star Bruyndoncx  has taken big steps in the last 12 months after featuring in several EuroLeague Women games for Kangoeroes Mechelen where she only had limited minutes but enough to show why she is rated so highly. Able to consistently put points on the board, she averaged double-digits in every FIBA youth competition so far, including two appearances at U16 and one at the U17 Worlds. 

Ajsa Sivka - Slovenia

A huge talent and someone that will be the centerpiece of the Slovenia senior team for many, many years, Sivka comes into this tournament having debuted at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. While it was a bitter-sweet experience with Slovenia exiting early as co-hosts, she got to show that she can already contribute on the big stage, having shown glimpses of this previously in EuroLeague Women at Beretta Famila Schio. She also played and excelled last year at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup.

Check out the players to keep an eye on at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship, Division B, here.

FIBA