USA - Samuelson continues to call the tune for the USA

PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - Katie Lou Samuelson has barely missed a beat at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women and heading into the Final against Spain the USA standout remains one of the favourites to be crowned MVP of the tournament.

Having showcased her shooting prowess from the outset which culminated in her sinking six triples in the first quarter of the Semi-Final against Hungary to grab a USA record for three-point shooting in the competition, Samuelson looks well placed to be voted the best player in Pilsen.

Verbally committed to playing for NCAA champions UConn under Geno Auriemma, Samuelson also looks destined to perhaps one day break onto the USA senior national team and especially if she continues to utilise her quite gorgeous shooting touch.

It isn't a surprise she can drop three-pointers for fun, since she wasn't short of advice on her shooting action when a small kid. Her father Jon played professionally, her siblings Bonnie and Karly are both playing at Stanford and even her mum was an accomplished netball player.

"I definitely think (my shooting) is because of my dad and especially my two sisters, since I really wanted to be just like them when I was growing up," revealed the small forward.

"They were two years and four years older than me, so I had to get different things from them otherwise I would never have been able to play against them.

"My sisters are definitely the reason I am the player I am today.

"Also when we were growing up, Bonnie was the oldest and way taller than us. As I grew, I realised I had to become a lot more physical.

"Now when we sometimes still play against each other, we probably get a little too physical, but it's usually great fun.

"Bonnie doesn't play too much now with us and it's normally me and Karly. I would like to say that I usually win," smiled Samuelson.

As well as her shooting ability, the 17-year-old has such a varied skill set which has been helped by her appetite for 3x3.

She's already stepped out at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship alongside current team-mate Arike Ogunbowale and will head to the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China next month.

"Indonesia was really great and it was such a fun experience with all the music and the overall environment there," she said.

"3x3 is such a fast-paced game and you have a little more freedom. You also have to rely on your team-mates a lot in defence and really come together as a group of four.

"I know I can trust Arike to go and post up and score automatically to get the points we need. Coming from not only 3x3, but also U16 level we really do know each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"It makes 3x3 so much fun playing together and I am so excited now for China."

Meanwhile if USA does come out on top of the podium, Samuelson may be tempted to celebrate by leading her team-mates with a victory song on the piano in their hotel lobby.

"Oh my, I am definitely not the best piano player and I only play a few little pieces here and there," laughed the teenager.

Nevertheless, even if she isn't so keen on showcasing her musical talent, there is absolutely no doubt that Samuelson knows how to stay perfectly in tune when demonstrating her basketball skills on the hardwood.

FIBA