NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – With four editions of the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup already in the books, who makes my All-Time roster?

Looking for a decent global spread and avoiding the understandable urge to cram my list full of USA players, here’s my line-up drawn from those who have appeared at the tournament since its inception during 2010.

Jewell Loyd - USA (2010)

Part of the inaugural and historic podium-topping USA team that took the title in France during 2010, Loyd has not looked back. She has hit the high points of being a first pick in the WNBA draft, the number one global 3x3 baller and is now pushing hard for a place on the senior USA team heading to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018. She has played club basketball in both Asia and Europe, with fans all over the world loving those dynamic guard skills.

Olivia Epoupa - FRA (2010)

Another player who made it to the title game of the first edition, the electrifying Epoupa was unable to inspire France to the fairytale finish as they were beaten heavily in the Final. The playmaker went on to dominate in various youth categories and has now played at the Olympics for her country and also two EuroBasket Women tournaments. She is eagerly anticipating a maiden FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup later this year and is a reigning EuroCup Women champion after landing the silverware with Galatasaray.

Kia Nurse - CAN (2012)

Nurse was the driving force behind Canada’s only podium finish at the event, when Third Place in Amsterdam during 2012. It wasn’t long before she was elevated to the senior ranks and was even MVP of the 2015 FIBA Americas Women’s Championship while still a teenager. She has since played in multiple global events such as Rio 2016 and is looking towards her second FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Most recently, she made history with an explosive start to her career at New York Liberty and has had NCAA success with the Huskies.

Melisa Gretter - ARG (2010)

Waving the flag for South America, the point guard was part of the Argentina side that finished in 9th place at the first edition, with a 4-3 record as Gretter handed out more than 4 assists per game. The guard then starred at U19 level a year later and has since showed her talent and capacity to entertain at various FIBA Americas Championship for Women tournaments. Such fun to watch, she was blistering last year at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup when she almost inspired her country to the title in a thrilling Final with Canada.

Cecilia Zandalasini – ITA (2012)

A reigning WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, Zandalasini has become a leading global player ahead of her time. She appeared in Amsterdam during 2012, but actually didn’t shoot that well. However, she has since erupted to showcase her stellar abilities with Famila Schio in EuroLeague Women and for her country. She was outstanding as the MVP of the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship in 2016 and then hit the headlines last year with one of the most eye-catching debuts in EuroBasket Women history.

Angela Salvadores - ESP (2014)

A difficult choice as she has not has any kind of longevity at club level, or transitioned to the senior team, But, I still had to put Salvadores in my line-up because she produced the most dominant, enjoyable and special display I have ever seen by a youth player in the FIBA game when she fired 40 points in the Final during 2014 to almost topple USA. She was a deserved MVP and it illustrated her amazing abilities. She has recently played in a EuroLeague Women Final with Sopron, but now needs to surely find the necessary temperament to match her unquestionable ability.

Diamond DeShields - USA (2012)

MVP of the second edition in Amsterdam when USA retained their title, DeShields showed her sublime skill-set with some excellent displays to take her country back onto the top step of the podium. Of course she had already shown her maturity and talent a year earlier, when she was part of the U19 team USA team that won gold – despite being three years younger than most. Now she is going to work in the WNBA with the Sky and also had a great campaign in Turkey with Cukurova last season.

Breanna Stewart - USA (2010)

Now a global name and especially after conquering the WCBA in China as well as the WNBA, there are few bigger figures in either online profile or on-court abilities than Stewart. She was the first name on my roster because no other player in USA history has left such a significant footprint at youth level. She won the inaugural title in 2010 and followed it up with two U19 titles. She is also now an Olympian and careering towards a second FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. A WNBA colossus with Seattle, Stewart has got serious game and is the one player all EuroLeague Women fans want to see soon – including me!

Salimatou Kourouma - MLI (2016)

My sole representative from Africa, Kourouma is no token pick. She was just so good to watch two years ago in Zaragoza when she was the heart and soul of a ground-breaking Mali team that became the first African country to win two games at the event – prior to then making it a new high tide mark of three victories. Powerful and uncompromising, she is one of the best African players I have seen at a FIBA youth event. Her performances were great in Spain as she landed a tournament double-double that stuck in the memory.

Emma Meesseman - BEL (2010)

The reigning EuroLeague Women MVP and with a track record of WNBA success now also on her resume, Meesseman is putting her focus into Belgium’s debut at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife, where she will be a headline act. She was part of the Belgian team that played in 2010 – a year after she was MVP at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship. A great player, she keeps racking up team and individual accolades, driving Belgium to a historic third podium step last year at EuroBasket Women 2017 and making the All-Star Five.

Park Jisu - KOR (2012 and 2014)

You could argue that the Korean center is the most successful player in the FIBA youth game ever. Bear with me. Her record is simply astonishing as she played at the 2012 edition in Amsterdam and then also two years later in Pilsen. Throw into the mix she played a pair of FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cups as well – plus being the standout figure for her country at senior level during the FIBA Women’s World Championship in 2014 when only 16-years-old, it is a breath-taking accomplishment. Now she is blazing a trail as a Korean in the WNBA with Las Vegas Aces.

Eziyoda Magbegor - AUS (2016)

It was a special tournament in Zaragoza two years ago when Australia stormed to their first ever title and as MVP, Magebgor was at the centrepiece of a brilliant Sapphires team with her blocking ability and super athleticism. She has since had minutes with the Opals and is destined to represent the senior side for many years, although we will soon see if the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 comes too soon for her. She has played in the WNBL already and is a prime candidate for the 2019 WNBA Draft which speaks volumes about her potential.

Of course, the big question ahead of the fifth edition tipping off in Minsk next month, is who from the class of 2018 might make it onto this list? Plus, who did I miss from those selected above? Make sure you let me know @basketmedia365

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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