STRASBOURG / VALENCIA (France/Spain) - The FIBA Women's EuroBasket has a long tradition as the place where rising stars often make their name on the international stage and this edition is unlikely to be any different.

There will be a number of young players looking to make a splash and here are just some of the 2000-2003 born candidates that are worth putting on your watch-list.

Raquel CARRERA - Spain

FORWARD

Height: 1.90m
Date of Birth: October 31, 2001 (19 years old)
Qualifiers Statistics: Did not play

There've been few more eagerly anticipated debuts in the competition than that of Carrera, who's set to play a prominent role for co-hosts Spain. After excelling at the youth level, she is about to make the transition to the senior stage in her first major tournament - one that will take place on a familiar court. The forward was superb last season with Valencia Basket and a driving force behind their historic EuroCup Women title. Carrera was so influential that she came close to taking the MVP award. She may be a teenager, but she has already shown that she has the skills and composure of a veteran star.

Billie MASSEY - Belgium

FORWARD/CENTER

Height: 1.86m
Date of Birth: March 21, 2000 (21 years old)
Qualifiers Statistics: 5.4 PPG; 7.0 RPG

With Belgian legend Ann Wauters not participating in what would have been her farewell to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket, Massey represents an exciting new generation ready to pick up the baton. She has already made her mark in the Qualifiers with some fine displays to help her team post an unbeaten campaign. Now she will debut at the event and test herself at the highest level with the Cats. Dominant for Hema SKW in EuroCup Women, she is a rebounding machine, a fine shot-blocker and physically, she's willing to stand toe-to-toe with anybody.

Matilda EKH - Sweden

GUARD

Height: 1.82m
Date of Birth: April 19, 2002 (19 years old)
Qualifiers Statistics: 3.0 PPG; 1.5 RPG

Forget the numbers in the couple of appearances that she made in the Qualifiers since she only played in the last bubbles. Ekh has been showing that she can be a regular offensive contributor during recent preparation games with multiple double-digit scoring returns. A swingman who can score from outside consistently, her talent has been recognized by Michigan State and she will be heading to the States to play in the NCAA when the Women's EuroBasket is over. 

Iliana RUPERT - France

CENTER

Height: 1.94m
Date of Birth: July 12, 2001 (19 years old)
Qualifiers Statistics: Did not play

There's not much left to say about Rupert who is already radar central in terms of the best young players not only in Europe but also globally. She debuted at the event two years ago and featured briefly, but will be much more prominent this time around, having taken huge strides of late. She has won consecutive EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Award accolades, was drafted to the WNBA in the First Round and last year she helped France book their ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. A towering presence, smart and still getting better, she is set to become a leading light for her country.

Goksen FITIK - Turkey

GUARD

Height: 1.75m
Date of Birth: August 11, 2001 (19 years old)
Qualifiers Statistics: Did not play

If the mood is a little negative due to the injury crisis being endured by Turkey, then one positive could be the opportunity that Fitik potentially has to impress in the competition. A talented baller who might help put some points on the board for a team that does not fire in a big way offensively, she has risen to prominence since her days in the youth ranks and as a Basketball Without Borders Global Camp All-Star. She is also very unselfish, committed to the team ethic and hopefully she will be given the chance to show what she can do.

Eleni BOSGANA - Greece

FORWARD

Height: 1.88m
Date of Birth: December 4, 2003 (17 years old)
Qualifiers Statistics: 8.6 PPG; 3.4 RPG

Greece have not had a great preparation so far in terms of their results or performances, but fans can surely look forward to what could be one of several Women's EuroBasket tournaments for rising star Bosgana. She is still only 17-years-old but made some valuable contributions in the Qualifiers and, most memorably, 12 points in just 17 minutes against Iceland. She shot the ball really well, uses her wingspan and length well and if she can play some similar cameos, it could make a difference in Greece being able to successfully fight their way out of their group. 

FIBA