Which rising star will make the biggest splash at Women's EuroBasket?

MUNICH (Germany) - The new generation is ready to light it up at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 as a glut of young guns all get set to impress at this summer's flagship tournament.

There are so many rising stars to follow from right across the competition and focusing on players born on or after the year 2000, here are just some of those that you should have on your watch list.

But who will make the biggest impact?

Make sure to take part in the fan vote at the bottom of the article!

Leonie Fiebich - Germany 

An absolute colossus during the Qualifiers and especially in the last window when Germany needed to get the job done to return to the main event for the first time in 12 years. Fiebich will again be expected to lead the team. In fact, no other nation has such a young leader and it will be no surprise if she is the top scorer and rebounder for Germany on what will be a first appearance at the event. The versatile Fiebich has also excelled this past club season in EuroCup Women with Casademont Zaragoza, putting in some epic displays.

Iliana Rupert - France 

Incredibly, Rupert is preparing for her third edition of the competition, with two Final appearances already on her resume. The center played some big games last year at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney to show her talent on the global stage. She's now being tipped to post a massively influential campaign for frontrunners France in this competition and could be the key player in the paint. Her points and rebounding prowess could be essential in helping her nation take gold for the first time since 2009.

Raquel Carrera - Spain 

 

Fresh from being named Spanish Finals MVP after taking Valencia Basket Club to their precious Liga Femenina Championship title, Carrera has now been promoted to Spain's premier performer in the paint. Accelerated due to the absence of Astou Ndour, it looks like the 21-year old will be needed to step up if Spain want to make a return to the podium. Carrera will also want to make up for what was an upsetting experience two years agowhen Spain not only relinquished their crown, but finished in an unthinkable seventh place. 

Marine Fauthoux - France 

It was four years ago when Fauthoux stepped out in the competition for the first time as an 18-year-old and got to play in the Final of the competition. Not appearing in Strasbourg and Valencia two years ago, the playmaker did compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she won bronze and at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. At club level she has matured hugely and added significant clutch ability to her game - something that has shone brightly with Basket Landes in EuroLeague Women and domestically.

Holly Winterburn - Great Britain 

A debut at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket awaits for Winterburn who has been on fire at club level for London Lions all season, including in EuroCup Women. Bursting onto the scene with Great Britain during the qualifying campaign, it has proven the perfect time as the Brits needed new stars in the wake of some high profile retirements. Able to make clutch shots and equally happy scoring or creating, this dynamic player is ready to cement her place as a leading light for her nation, who hadn't even expected to be here at all.

Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka - Belgium 

 
The small forward appeared at her first senior tournament with Belgium last year in Sydney at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and posted some encouraging performances, including a smart cameo against the USA. She has also shown enough both in the qualifiers for this tournament and in EuroCup Women with Elitzur Landco Ramla to suggest she could play an important role for the Cats. Energetic, athletic and offering positives at both ends of the floor, she'll push the more experienced Antonia Delaere for minutes 

Ajsa Sivka - Slovenia 

Born in 2005, Sivka is the youngest player on the list and yet may be have to contribute and influence more than her national team coach Georgios Dikaiuoulakos was envisaging. With a shorter than expected rotation, her minutes may increase and especially as the playcaller has also been working with her at club level with Beretta Famila Schio who of course made a first EuroLeague Women Final Four recently. With super handles and skills for her height, Sivka has also played at the FIBA Women's U17 Basketball World Cup last year. 

Pauline Astier - France 

It's crazy to think that Astier is by no means guaranteed to feature because of the sheer depth of France. However, she has made such a massive case in the past 12 months and if she does squeeze onto the bench, the guard could yet make a big splash. She was recently voted EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year for her super breakthrough season with Tango Bourges Basket and that was deserved reward for some exciting contributions. Now fans might get to see her debut at her first FIBA Women's EuroBasket.

Matilde Villa - Italy 

There are such huge hopes for Villa and what she can achieve with the national team, although also some caution around not putting too much on her young shoulders. The guard has been super during FIBA youth competitions and only made her senior debut at the start of the Qualifiers for this competition. However, she has grown so much in the past 18 months and in averaging 23 minutes in both the Italian League and EuroCup Women for Umana Reyer Venezia this past season, she has shown she can mix it with the best. 

Eleni Bosgana - Greece 

The highly-rated forward gave everyone a glimpse of what is to come when she was able to make her debut at the 2021 edition. Making positive waves throughout, this time it could be an even bigger splash for Bosgana, even if she was not able to participate in the Qualifiers. Greece will welcome her back with open arms since her wing span and energy is always a positive from a defensive standpoint. She can also add a scoring touch and that might be a big difference-maker for a team not exactly packed with firepower. 

Marija Lekovic - Montenegro 

Just 17 years old when she debuted in 2021 in Valencia, the playmaker has taken big steps in the past two years and should play a whole lot more than last time. Crowned MVP of the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship, Division B last summer when she inspired Montenegro to promotion, she's also provided plenty for the senior team in the Qualifiers when playing more than 20 minutes per game. With plenty of composure and a stack of talent, Lekovic could be a big factor not just this year, but for some time to come. 

Yarden Garzon - Israel 

A first appearance at the event is likely for the forward who has been doing good things Stateside in the NCAA at Indiana. Because of her commitments, Garzon only played one game in the Qualifiers, but wasted little time in showcasing her talent by scoring 16 points against group winners Latvia. A brilliant performer at youth level for Israel, it's now time for her to show what she can do with the senior team and might be someone who flies under the radar and helps the co-hosts get a long overdue Final Round win on the board.

So many great players, but who is your pick?

FIBA