MUNICH (Germany) - The cream of the crop in the NCAA are ready to hit the floor at this year's March Madness and there will be plenty of European representation across the 68 teams who have a ticket for the 2025 tournament.
With more than 70 European players potentially playing a part, there are some that have shone at FIBA youth events, others who've already attained senior success at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket and also many more who have the potential to do so in the future.
We've picked out just some of those to keep an eye out for as the action gets underway.
Angela Dugalic (SRB) - UCLA
FORWARD
Birth Date: December 29, 2001 (23 years old) Height: 1.93 (6ft 4in)
The most decorated baller in FIBA competitions across the entire NCAA tournament, Dugalic is of course a double-Olympian and was crowned a FIBA Women's EuroBasket champion with Serbia while still a teenager. Things didn't go to plan in the NCAA when she arrived after starring with Oregon but getting sidelined for the whole of 2022-23.
Now in her third campaign with UCLA, she's a major baller for this year's number one seeds and averaging more than 20 minutes per game. Her size, smarts and experience could play a significant role in delivering silverware.
Clara Silva (POR) - Kentucky
CENTER
Birth Date: May 31, 2006 (18 years old) Height: 1.98 (6ft 6in)
The youngest player on the list, Silva has made some strides in her Freshman year and it will be fascinating to see if she can meet the challenge in this crunch tournament. She will be called to play cameos off the bench for 12th seeds Kentucky and so might not have a huge impact. But the Portuguese center has shown great glimpses so far.
It is this massive potential to grow in the coming years that is so exciting. Her height and skills have been a super mix at youth level for her country and has harvested multiple All-Star Five awards. Plus, she might also end up making history this summer and play for Portugal at their first ever FIBA Women's EuroBasket.
Tilda Trygger (SWE) - North Carolina State
FORWARD / CENTER
Birth Date: February 12, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 1.98 (6ft 6in)
The Swedish prospect has grown during her Freshman NCAA year with 9th seed North Carolina State. Her work with the Wolfpack has earned her 20 minutes per game - not a surprise to those who've seen her excel at various FIBA youth tournaments previously. Her length and nice skillset on the perimeter makes her a tough matchup.
She can also put the ball on the floor as well as shoot the three, so this versatility makes her a great watch in any game. She won't be a leading light in terms of scoring, but as someone who could soon make the step up to the senior Swedish side, Trygger is one to have on your watch-list.
Yarden Garzon (ISR) - Indiana
GUARD
Birth Date: November 23, 2003 (21 years old) Height: 1.83 (6ft 0in)
The forward is a brilliant young star who has already proudly worn the jersey at a major senior tournament when she played for co-hosts Israel at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. While the competition was not a success for the team, she put up some superb numbers and enhanced her already burgeoning reputation.
Garzon's performance and impact with the Hoosiers is massive. She starts every game, has picked up multiple individual awards and will be a driving force behind their attempts to make a deep run. As 36th seeds, Indiana will need her to hit top gear and continue an impressive haul so far of 14.5 points, 5.3 boards and 3.2 assists per outing.
Marta Suarez Rodriguez (ESP) - California
FORWARD
Birth Date: May 7, 2002 (22 years old) Height: 1.87 (6ft 2in)
With a glowing reputation for not only her work on the basketball court, but also her attributes as part of the wider team and in the local community, there is a lot the Spanish forward can be proud of. A starter and often a headline contributor with more than 13 points and 7 boards per game, Suarez will be needed by the Bears in a big way.
If they are to defy their 31st place in the seedings, they will be hoping their forward can show out and continue her form into this Tournament. The fact she logs 30 minutes per game speaks volumes about her importance.
Maye Toure (FRA) - Utah
FORWARD
Birth Date: March 4, 2002 (23 years old) Height: 1.86 (6ft 1in)
The French forward is a powerful force at both ends of the court and a trusted part of the core rotation for 34th seeds Utah. Toure is a true competitor, strong in the paint and loves to challenge opponents on defense. If she is on her game, then her team's chances will be elevated as they look to avoid an upset then cause and upset.
One of the big improvements made by Toure on this senior season with Utah is that her shot selection and finishing has soared after a tricky Freshman year at Rhode Island where she spent her first four years Stateside.
Elina Aarnisalo (FIN) - UCLA
GUARD
Birth Date: July 26, 2005 (19 years old) Height: 1.76 (5ft 9in) A walking bucket at FIBA youth level, her overall numbers were absolutely mind-blowing, while she also made waves at senior level at a young age in various FIBA Women's EuroBasket Qualifiers. Now she is making people stand up and take notice in her Freshman year in the NCAA - and not just with any team either.
She has been evolving nicely with top seeds UCLA and has already put her name up in lights by receiving high praise from the legendary Dawn Staley for her display against South Carolina. Even if still only a role player, her ability to go off on any given night or make a clutch shot means she could yet have a hand in where the title goes.
Vittoria Blasigh (ITA) - South Florida
GUARD
Birth Date: April 7, 2004 (20 years old) Height: 1.75 (5ft 9in)
A European showing their class for South Florida is not unusual, since that is what the program usually builds its challenge on. With another eclectic mix this year which has seen Blasigh standout alongside other Europeans such as Mama Dembele and Calra Brito - she has almsot formed a one-two-three punch with her Bulls colleagues.
The Italian will look to continue fueling the 47th seeds as they turn to her to impress with her strong upper body and playmaking ability. She also has that vital scoring touch too, averaging double-digits for a second year.
Gisela Sanchez Iznajar (ESP) - Kansas State
FORWARD
Birth Date: June 30, 2003 (21 years old) Height: 1.91 (6ft 3in)
There are high hopes for the Wildcats at this tournament and ranked 12th overall, the expectations will be on Spanish forward Sanchez Iznajar and Co to make a big challenge this year. Whilst the Junior isn't putting up any kind of big numbers, she is a hugely valued and trusted player in key moments and records 16 minutes per game.
A hope for the Spanish senior team moving forward, her immediate focus is bringing that intensity and energy from the bench to help K-State get rolling and keep their eyes on a possible Final Four. If they do manage it, then the likelihood is that Sanchez Iznajar will have had her hands all over such a success.
Anna Gret Asi (EST) - Oklahoma State
GUARD
Birth Date: February 21, 2002 (23 years old) Height: 1.77 (5ft 10in)
Asi is looking for a memorable finish to her NCAA. There is an opportunity for an exciting final chapter, since Oklahoma State are a top 20 ranked team in this year's tournament. With the do-it-all guard on board who is averaging more than 25 minutes per game, they have someone capable of propelling them on a defining run.
Also expected to be the centerpiece for Estonia in their quest to hopefully make a first edition of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket some time in the future, the guard is capable of doing it at the top level for her country. But first, it's all about this last story Stateside and if she can find her range from downtown, it could be a super one.
FIBA