10 players to watch at #FIBAU16Europe in Kaunas

KAUNAS (FIBA U16 Women's  European Championship 2018) - There will be many new faces and also some familiar ones as a stack of talent prepares to step out at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2018.

Here are just some of the names we expect to shine in Kaunas:

Giulia Natali - ITA

With two podium finishes in the last three editions by way of bronze medals, Italy could be about to finally climb onto the top  step and secure a maiden title. On paper at least, they have a shot, since they have several returnees from last summer in Bourges. Natali also now has some great experience from the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Minsk last month, when she impressed by leading Italy in scoring with 13.6 points per game - as well as in efficiency too.

Serena Kessler - FRA

The defending champions have a hard act to follow, since the dynamic and entertaining Class of 2017 didn't only win the title on home soil in Bourges, they did it with style too. With a couple of leading lights set to miss out through injury, Kessler will be expected to be one of the driving forces for her team as they try to hang on to their crown. Her athleticism will be key, as will her scoring ability, since Kessler has been the leading offensive light in preparation games so far.

Reka Dombai - HUN

While she didn't make the formal All-Star Five in Minsk at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup, she was on many other lists as one of the best at the tournament. Dombai lit up the highlights reel and pushed her team to the Semi-Finals. She showed she can do it all with an action-packed display of ball handling, shooting and an ability to deliver in crunch time. She led Hungary with 12 points per game and showed class when she appeared in the All-Star Five at the U16 event in Bourges last year.

Caterina Gilli - ITA 

Gilli showed plenty of upsides at the previous edition of the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship and has since went on to show her qualities at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Belarus. She was excellent in Minsk, managing to harvest more rebounds than anyone else on the Italian roster - as well as finishing as the team's second leading scorer. A forward with a nice touch and movement, she will be looking to dominate in the paint and could be a double-double waiting to happen in most games.

Marta Garcia - ESP

Spain will be hoping that Garcia will be the centerpiece of their challenge, since she will drop anchor in the paint and look to be even more effective at this edition. Last summer, she was part of a Spanish team that was 6-1, but could only manage 5th place after losing in the Quarter-Finals. Not too flashy, but more about efficiency and effectiveness - as well as being hard-nosed at both ends of the court, Garcia is likely to be the experienced rock and provide valuable glue for Spain, as others around her are free to offer more flair. 

Magdalena Szymkiewicz - POL

Szymkiewicz has been on absolute fire for Poland in all of their preparation games, managing to rack up huge scores - something that suggests she could continue this rich vein of form into the competition. Hopefully she has not peaked too early and will continue to offer her team a leading scoring presence. Having shone at youth level in her homeland with Gdynia, she is a player who will be wanting to make a big impression on her FIBA tournament debut. (Photo:  koszwwa.pl)

Simona Fiserova - CZE

When Fiserova steps out onto the hardwood in Kaunas, she is likely to be thinking about what might have been in 2017. The Czechs were the only team with an overall winning record who failed to make the Quarter-Finals. She was an important cog in the wheel and this time around, she will be even more important as she looks to take her nation up a gear. Watch out for her combinations with both Katerina Zeithammerova and the exciting Monika Fucickova. 

Sarah Polleros - Germany

Hot on the heels of Germany making history in Udine last weekend with a maiden U18  title and first ever U19 World Cup ticket, the scrutiny will be intense on this German team, with many observers seeing if they can maintain the momentum. Even if it is not getting onto the podium, at least a positive performance will be needed to sign off a nice summer, and the captain will drive her team's challenge. The forward will be at the heart of what Germany do, alongside fellow dangers Emilia Tenbroch and Lotta Stach.

Simona Visockaite - LTU

Lithuania will be determined to make up for last year's relegation when they finished in the bottom three, but were reprieved having already agreed to host this year's edition. It will be Visockaite who will have to carry the burden of expectation on her shoulders and she has a personal reason for wanting to deliver, having been part of the struggling 2017 side in Bourges. She did everything she could to help her team shine, but they posted a 1-6 record, despite her eye-catching tournament double-double of more than 12 points and 10 boards per outing. 

Marta Ostojic - Croatia

While there are general concerns about the overall strength and depth of these next Croatian generations, they are certainly throwing up some hugely exciting individual talents. If Croatia are to stay in the top flight, then Ostojic is likely to be the one with her foot on the accelerator for her team. A versatile forward, she put up huge numbers in the U15 WABA league and has just been signed at Celje, with a ringing endorsement from senior Slovenia head coach, Damir Grgic.

FIBA