Which rising stars will shine at #FIBAU18Europe Division B in Sofia?

SOFIA (Bulgaria) - The FIBA U18 Women's European Championship Division B in Bulgaria will witness a glut of exciting young stars taking to the stage and trying to inspire their teams to glory.

Here are just some of the names to look out for and for you to put on your watchlist ahead of the tip-off on Saturday July 1. You can also use the fan vote below to tell us which player you think will have the biggest impact at the event. 

Petra Bozan - Croatia

Bozan was the driving force last summer behind Croatia taking a bronze medal at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship in Matosinhos as her country stood proudly on the podium with powerhouse duo Spain and France. She made the All-Star Five with a brilliant 13.6 points and mammoth 15 boards per game. Now, Bozan will pace Croatia's promotion bid as she steps up an age category.

Ilinca Belegante - Romania

The third top scorer last summer at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship with more than 17 points per game, Belegante gets buckets and even when stepping up the age bracket this year, she will be a threat. One of the better players during preparation as expected, if Romania want to make a deep run, it will be her work from the wings that will be a difference-maker. 

Denitsa Manolova - Bulgaria

It's another appearance at the event for the prolific Manolova. Last time she averaged more than 13 points per game, but at U16 level last year she was Division B leading scorer with a phenomenal 23.7 points per game. She also showed she is not only about scoring by claiming a tournament double-double with more than 10 boards per outing. A great prospect, Bulgaria's hopes rest on her shoulders and she has already played with the senior team in a FIBA Women's EuroBasket Qualifiers game.

Faith Ehi Etute - Luxembourg

A tour de force and imposing do-it-all presence for Luxembourg, Etute has been outstanding at youth level, putting up eye-popping numbers. She played for the senior team in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers and incredibly averaged more than 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. Meanwhile she has also impressed in EuroCup Women with T71 Diddeleng, somehow managing to finish with a double-double season despite her tender years.

Panagiota Stoligka - Greece

Always wearing her heart on her sleeve and breathing the kind of fire that any team benefits from, Stoligka is a good prospect for Greece and impressed last summer at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship with almost 15 points per game. She has also played a few minutes in EuroCup Women with Esperides which has been valuable experience as well.

Sina Elke Hollerl - Austria

At a time when Austria have re-entered senior competition at the top level, having taken part in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers, it is great to see young players like Hollerl rising up. She didn't get to play with the seniors but showed per potential with more than 16 points and 8 rebounds per game last year at the FIBA Women's U16 Championship Division B and also had a huge 2022-23 club season domestically.

Check out the leading names to watch out for at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship, here.

FIBA