Eight standout players of #FIBAU16Europe

IZMIR (Turkey) - There were plenty of superb individual displays at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023 as a number of rising stars all showed off their skills in Izmir.

Here's a selection of the young guns who caught the eye with their respective performances at the event. 

Ainhoa Risacher - France

SHOOTING GUARD

Height: 1.87m / 6ft 2in 
Birth Date: July 13, 2007 (16 years old) 

Tournament Statistics: 15.7 EFF; 11.7 PPG; 4.7 RPG; 3.9 APG; 2.0 SPG

Always likely to be a factor for France in their quest for gold, Risacher showed what a smart and impressive all-around baller she is in taking the MVP accolade. Her numbers might not be as eye-popping as some MVP's who went before, but the tall and versatile winger demonstrated her composure, feel for the game and team orientated approach. All those ingredients suggest a bright future ahead.

Martina Vizmanos Iglesis - Spain

FORWARD

Height: 1.83cm / 6ft 0in 
Birth Date: November 5, 2007 (15 years old)

Tournament Statistics: 15.0 EFF; 10.3 PPG; 7.7 PPG; 2.1 APG

Vizmanos led Spain in efficiency, scoring and rebounding which highlighted her importance, her impact and also her potential to develop into a bonafide senior contender if she continues on an upward trajectory. Really solid on the glass and usually making sharp shot selections, whether taking or passing to an open teammate, she deserved her place in the competition's All-Star Five. 

Olivia Vukosa - Croatia

GUARD

Height: 1.94m / 6ft 4in 
Birth Date: September 7, 2008 (14 years old) 

Tournament Statistics: 28.9 PPG; 22.6 PPG; 17.1 RPG; 1.9 BPG

The tournament's leading scorer and rebounder with an off the chart level of efficiency at 28.9 which was also the best in the competition, Vukosa demonstrated that she could be a real gem for Croatian basketball. Well, another gem in fact and the latest in a conveyor belt of young stars rising up. Still only 14-years-old, her strength and tournament double-double was phenomenal.

Nicole Ogun - Finland

POWER FORWARD

Height: 1.83m / 6ft 0in 
Birth Date: May 25, 2007 (16 years old) 

Tournament Statistics: 14.3 EFF, 9.6 PPG; 9.9 RPG; 2.6 SPG

Ogun was expected to be a leading light for Finland and so it proved. She helped them to a historic fourth spot and as the centerpiece, her All-Star Five berth provided clear recognition of her efforts and talent. Only just falling short of a tournament double-double with almost 10 points and as many boards per game, she is a great prospect and looks like she will only get better and better.

Emma Giacchetti - Italy

POINT GUARD

Height: 1.78m / 5ft 10in 
Birth Date: March 18  2007 (16 years old) 

Tournament Statistics: 11.0 EFF; 9.9 PPG; 4.3 RPG; 3.9 APG; 3.3 SPG

There was much to admire about Giachetti and with more luck she could have played in the title game with her country. Still, bronze was to be celebrated by Italy, with the guard pulling the strings with an all-action effort throughout. So strong for her position on the glass, always creating and defensively impressive with 3.3 steals per game, she put herself on the radar as an All-Star Five member. 

Lena Bilic - Croatia

SMALL FORWARD

Height: 1.88m / 6ft 2in 
Birth Date: May 2, 2007 (16 years old) 

Tournament Statistics: 20.6 EFF; 18.0 PPG; 7.1 APG; 6.3 RPG

Big things were expected of Bilic and she came up with the goods in a fantastic display. Had her Croatia colleague Olivia Vukosa not took the headlines, then an All-Star Five spot would have been more than deserved for the forward. Tall and not only a great scorer and rebounder, her passing vision was what really stood out as she came up with a number of exceptional performances. 

Lilyana Fontcha - France

CENTER

Height: 1.92m / 6ft 4in 
Birth Date: June 20,  2007 (16 years old) 

Tournament Statistics: 12.1 EFF; 11.3 PPG; 56% FG; 6.6 RPG

Perhaps Fontcha will feel a little unfortunate not to have made the All-Star Five since so many tournaments have had two ballers from the winners. Far from spectacular, she the rock on which her team built their success. Such consistency from any young player deserves a mention. She had the best shot percentage of anyone and that's something to be proud of, along with the gold medal.

Division B

Clare Bielefeld - Germany

GUARD

Height: 1.85m / 6ft 1in 
Birth Date: August  28, 2007 (15 years old) 

Tournament Statistics: 19.9 EFF; 9.9 PPG; 9.1 RPG; 4.9 APG; 2.9 SPG; 2.7 BPG

Bielefeld was a tower of strength for Germany as they gained promotion from Division B in Podgorica as she played the leading role in heartache for host nation Montenegro with 13 points and 9 boards in the Final. But it was her contributions throughout the competition that resulted in an MVP award, her versatility and ability to contribute in every facet of the game that shone. Not least her efforts on defense in terms of steals and blocks. 

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