Ramos and Jordao ready to lead first-timers Portugal

LISBON (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - Portugal will rely on the backcourt leadership of Ana Ramos and power in the paint of Beatriz Jordao when they make their global youth debut in Zaragoza.

Featuring in a FIBA U17 Women's World Championship for the very first time, Portugal have revealed the initial 14 names who will look to continue the momentum of what proved to be a historic 2015.

Last year on home soil in Matosinhos and in front of phenomenal crowds regularly into the thousands, they excelled all expectations at the U16 European Women's Championship.

They shattered a number of historic records as they reached a first-ever FIBA World Championship at youth level, a first-ever youth Semi-Final, a maiden youth Final and a best-ever second-place finish.

The two main thrusts to that memorable competition which has been written in Portuguese basketball folklore, were Ramos and Jordao. The former landed MVP and Jordao was no far behind in the race, having to satisfy herself with a place on the All-Tournament Team.

Jordao, second from left, joined Ramos on the All-Star Five in Matosinhos last year

Head coach Agostinho Pinto will once again be at the helm and his animated approach on the sidelines will no doubt be back on show, as will 11 of the players who did so brilliantly last year - including leading scorer Mariana Silva.

The players are already in camp in Lousada where they are beginning preparations for yet another slice of history.

Portugal have been drawn in Group D along with Brazil, Mali and neighbours Spain who they beat for the first-time in last year’s Semi-Final – one of the highlights of their fabulous journey to the title game.

Portugal 14-player preliminary squad for 2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship: Eliana Cabral, Susana Carvalheira, Maryam Chermiti, Constanca Goncalves, Mariana Garrido, Ana Jesus, Beatriz Jordao, Catarina Lopes, Alice Martins, Ana Ramos, Tess Santos, Luana Serranho, Mariana Silva, Claudia Viana

FIBA