KLAIPEDA & VILNIUS (Lithuania) - As the curtain falls on the first phase of the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2024, many players can reflect on some stellar individual performances.
Here's a selection of just some of those who have brought the noise and impressed during the Group Phase in Lithuania.
You can also check out the poll below and cast your vote for who you think has been the best player so far.
Matilde Villa - Italy
GUARD
Birth Date: December 9, 2004 (19 years old) Height: 1.75m (5ft 9in)
Stats: 24.0 EFF, 17.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 3.3 SPG - 51.2% FG, 50%
Expected to be one of the leading lights heading into the competition, Villa is living up to her reputation having led Italy brilliantly so far. The guard's vibrant play has helped them remain unbeaten and top of Group C.
It's not only her scoring punch that has impressed along with her compelling creative streak, Villa has been a force at the defensive end too. And, despite the impressive numbers, she may still have another gear to slip into, especially when it comes to her shooting from range.
Frieda Buhner - Germany
GUARD
Birth Date: May 28, 2004 (20 years old) Height: 1.86m (6ft 1in)
Stats: 22.7 EFF, 18.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 SPG - 50% FG, 63.3% 2PT, 88.2% FT
Another player listed on the pre-tournament watch-list, Buhner has lived up to the billing with some towering performances. Her strength and determination, combined with her skillset is making her a tough defensive assignment for opposing defenses.
Her tournament double-double tells you everything you need to know and she never wasted any time in laying down her authority with an outstanding opening day effort against Serbia. Her performance efficiency valuation of 29 and it set the standard for unbeaten Germany.
Enija Viksne - Latvia
GUARD
Birth Date: November 5, 2004 (19 years old) Height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
Stats: 18.0 EFF, 12.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, 2.3 SPG - 44.8% FG, 91.7% FT
The Latvian guard leads the entire competition for passing the rock and has been outstanding in finding her teammates. This has been one of the compelling reasons for her country finishing second in Group A with two wins.
She dished out a spectacular 10 assists in the game against Slovenia to start the competition in style. That came prior to showing how she is a do-it-all star with a fantastic 26 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds against hosts Lithuania.
Dorian Dahan Sujic - Israel
FORWARD
Birth Date: June 14, 2004 (20 years old) Height: 1.86m (6ft 1in)
Stats: 20.3 EFF, 20.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 SPG - 57.7% FG, 75.9% FT
The forward has been the cornerstone of Israel's campaign after turning heads with two blistering performances. Performance efficiency valuations of 29 against Serbia and Hungary, rocketed Dahan Sujic to the top of opponents' scouting list.
In the center of the competition radar now, she had a huge amount of defensive attention in the third group game against Germany. But you can count on the forward bouncing back and continuing to lead Israel for the rest of the tournament.
Noa Morro - Spain
CENTER
Birth Date: December 2, 2004 (19 years old) Height: 1.90m (6ft 3in)
Stats: 18.3 EFF, 13.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1.7 BPG - 57.7% FG, 90% FT
The center is providing the anchor at both ends of the floor for Spain to launch their title challenge from. Rock solid in every way at last year's edition of the tournament, this eye-catching start this time around bodes well for her country.
Defensively she has the size and wingspan to block shots, while Morro has also showed that she has a nice IQ with her passing skills down the other ends of the court. Composed and with a lot of maturity, she could end up being in the MVP race if Spain roll deep.
Berfin Sertoglu - Türkiye
GUARD
Birth Date: August 19, 2004 (19 years old) Height: 1.75m (5ft 9in)
Stats: 18.7 EFF, 18.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, 4.7 SPG - 42.1% FG, 75% FT
As the clear team leader along with Elif Istanbulluoglu, the responsibility for much of her country's efforts rest on her shoulders. So far at least, Sertoglu has been one of the main reasons for Türkiye racking up two wins in three games.
Her 29 points against Finland on the opening day was the highlight so far, but there will be many more to come. Especially if she can inject even more control into looking after the ball.
Marine Dursus - France
GUARD
Birth Date: August 26, 2005 (18 years old) Height: 1.76m (5ft 9in)
Stats: 18.7 EFF, 14.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 SPG - 66.7% FG, 54.5% 3PT, 100% FT
France are looking a formidable force as usual with three wins in as many games and much of this has been down to the terrific guard play of Dursus. So, so strong on the ball physically, her sheer will to impose herself on opponents is palpable.
She is also showing that this mental toughness and physical capability is being combined sweetly with her IQ. So many well judged shot-selections have been on show and she looks after the ball as well as anyone worldwide for her generation.
Dominika Baa - Hungary
GUARD
Birth Date: August 20, 2004 (19 years old) Height: 1.75m (5ft 9in)
Stats: 22.0 EFF, 15.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 6.0 SPG - 58.1% FG, 81.8% FT
Last but not least, there has been no stopping Baa in her astonishing ability to force turnovers or latch onto loose balls. Her defensive impact has been extraordinary and she leads the whole competition in steals with an eye-popping 6 per game.
But offensively she has been super too. Often holding her position on the wing then ghosting into the paint and making it look so easy with her footwork and finishing. Her 10 of 12 shooting en-route to a 24 point haul in the last group game with Serbia was evidence of this.
FIBA