NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - So here's the deal, you take a selection of the best teenagers in the women's global game and have some fun in setting up a global All-Star Game.

You make sure there are no more than two players from any nation, you fly the flag of the various FIBA regions to make it representative, you split the rising stars into two teams  and then, you somehow try to work out who would win.

I have selected some of my favorite players and matched the teams as closely as I think is possible and now it's over to you, to let me know who would take the crown by casting your votes!

Team A can count on the playmaking options of both Shyla Heal and  Paige Bueckers. The former has won bronze at #FIBAU17 with the Sapphires where she also made the All-Star Five and silver at #FIBAU19 with the Gems last year. She is looking like a strong prospect to make the senior team in coming years, while the same can be said for UConn guard Bueckers. She took the MVP award when USA won gold in Bangkok at #FIBAU19 with some dazzling performances.

In our All-Star Game, she would get to go up against her new UConn teammate Nika Muhl, a player who had the legendary Geno Auriemma visit her home in Croatia. On the floor, the playmaker is known for her amazing passing skills and she is a  walking assist. Combining the role for Team B is French standout Marine Fauthoux, a super smart guard who has already played for the French senior team and is strongly tipped to be a starting player at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

There is a superbly tough choice when it comes to the offensive punch as well, with Team A graced by the entertaining Flo Chagas of Argentina who can erupt in any game and has shown her skills at #FIBAU17, #FIBAU19 - as well as in Italy where she plays pro. Ditto for the free-scoring Reka Dombai of Hungary who has also shown her ability to score at #FIBAU17 and #FIBAU19 too. She can also slide to the small forward spot of course, but if you want buckets, then look no further.

If Team A has a couple of great options, then so does Team B, who can call upon Azzi Fudd of USA, who is such an exciting scorer and baller. She shone brightly in Minsk at #FIBAU17 in 2018 and there was disappointment when she missed out in Thailand last year because of injury. Alongside her is Estonian Anna Gret Asi ,who packs a serious offensive thrust. She's also a fine PG  of course, but is best known for being able to score all ways and this looks a real nice combo with Fudd.

Team A will benefit from the inclusion of the much talked about Lithuanian starlet Juste Jocyte who is the youngest player to have stepped out in EuroLeague Women, having been snapped up by Tony Parker at his LDLC ASVEL Feminin club. She was outstanding in making history with Lithuania last year at #FIBAU16Europe as she took them to the Final. Jocyte also became the youngest senior Lithuanian player last year too. Able to play multiple positions, she would combine with the lesser known, but still talented Alexia Dizeko of Angola. A do-it-all player, she starred at #FIBAU17 and is one of the best African prospects of recent times.

Team B will pin their hopes on Nanako Todo of Japan, a player who is energetic and able to have an impact at both ends of the floor. She is a real handful because of her intensity, strength in transition and ability to put pressure on her opponents defensively. Meanwhile Emma Rinat of Israel might be under the radar in the global sense but is well known in Europe for her scoring power and creative ability, whether playing as a guard or on the wing. This battle looks like a real tough choice!

Perhaps the frontcourt is the most delicious battle and tricky choice of all? Team A can rely on the athleticism and dynamic forward play of #FIBAU16Europe MVP Anastasiia Kosu of Russia who is predicted to star for the senior team and in EuroLeague Women with Dynamo Kursk. Sika Kone of Mali is simply a powerhouse performer who racked up eye-bulging numbers at both #FIBAU17 and #FIBAU19 and is so tough to guard. Meanwhile Laeticia Amihere of Canada has an eye on making the Olympics having played in the Qualifying Tournament earlier this year. She can dunk and is working with the legendary Dawn Staley at the South Carolina Gamecocks. Finally, Jiyuan Wan of China is the latest on the impressive conveyor belt of emerging frontcourt talent. With a minimum of fuss, she showed how she can maximize output with some excellent showing at #FIBAU19 last year.

Team B will look to Aliyah Boston of USA, who was recently deemed to be the NCAA Freshman of the Year. Her talent is huge and she has already shown that on the international stage for her country with multiple medals, including gold in Bangkok. Laura Meldere of Latvia has been the focal point for her country whenever she is on the floor and her strength in the paint means she is a great anchor both offensively and defensively. Iliana Rupert is an amazing center who has stood out in EuroLeague Women despite her tender years, and already competed for the French team at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. She is also likely to lead the frontcourt at Paris 2024. Last but not least, Team B also have a dunker in Awak Kuier of Finland, who is great in transition or dominating under the hoop and has already shown her ability to star at senior level.

So, you have already (I hope) voted on the breakdowns, but who wins?

I am going for a narrow overtime victory for Team B, but please do let me know on social channels who you voted for!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.