Following in the footsteps of Stewart and Co

MOSCOW (FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship) - When Breanna Stewart stepped out for USA at the FIBA World Championship for Women last year she continued a long standing tradition.

Namely one which has seen a string of guards and wing players make the step up from impressing at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women to then making the grade at senior level. 

The standout performer two years ago in Lithuania when she received the MVP accolade, Stewart joined a list of names who have played at both events on the global stage.

Down the years, there have been an array of prominent players who first made a major name for themselves at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women.

Back during 2001 in Czech Republic, the immense talent of another USA star was born on the big stage when Diana Taurasi poured in 19.3 points per game.

While it didn’t result in silverware, the guard went on to claim two titles when she stepped up from the youth ranks – including the one in Istanbul last year.

During the same edition in 2001, Yuko Oga of Japan made a huge impression and she actually top scored at the tournament with a mesmerising 25.4 points per game. 

The some nine years later, the guard gained the rare distinction of completing a memorable double when she subsequently top scored at the FIBA World Championship for Women in Czech Republic.

Rewinding all the way back to the very first tournament for Junior Women back in 1985, there was another Asian legend on display in the form of Korea’s Kyung Hee Choi.

She took her team to the Final with some stunning performances and also top scored in the competition. Indeed she was so talented and highly accomplished at the time, that she had already played against the USA in the Olympic Final as a teenager the year before.

The 1993 World Championship for Junior Women set Opals’ playmaker and the recently retired Kristi Harrower onto a stellar and glittering international career.

It was one which would see her become a four-time Olympian and harvest a quartet of appearances at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Meanwhile Spanish guard Marta Xargay was a top performer for her country in Bangkok as they made the Final in 2009 and last year in Turkey, she got to start a historic first Final for Spain at senior level.

As preparations continue for this year’s FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship, we wait with anticipation to see who shines in Russia and ponder if anyone can follow it by stepping out at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2018.

FIBA