17 Players to watch at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2022: Volume 2

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - In the second volume of our watch-list for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Debrecen, we shine the spotlight on more fabulous apsiring ballers.

Having inked 9 players to follow in the first volume, here's another 8 athletes that you need to look our for when the action gets underway (subject to availability and selection).

 

Rokiatou Berthe - Mali - Heartbeat of the team

Last year was a memorable one for Berthe after she was crowned MVP of the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship for being the inspiration behind Mali taking yet another piece of silverware at the event. Unstoppable for the most part, she came up with some huge displays, also winning the best three-point scorer award too. With 17.6 points and 3.4 assists per game, she will be the one that needs to pull the strings and bring the noise for the African nation.

Petra Toman - Hungary - Carrying home hopes

The forward did a great job last year at the FIBA U16 Women's European Challengers by amassing more than 17 points per outing for her team. The hosts will really want to make sure they excite the home fans and make a run to the Quarter-Finals and beyond. with Toman potentially being a player who can make that happen. She also got to play EuroCup Women games last season, as well as in the Hungarian League with Ludovika-FCSM Csata, while picking up a defensive award at the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp.

Maia Jones - New Zealand - Instant offensive impact

While it was a roller-coaster ride for New Zealand in Jordan at the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship as they took a fourth placed finish, one major consistency was the eye-catching form of Jones. She was terrific throughout the competition with five double-digit point hauls in six games. If she can continue to hold the hot-hand in Debrecen, then New Zealand will have a better opportunity to cause some surprises.

Cassandre Prosper - Canada - dynamic and do it all

It was a silver medal for Canada last year at the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship and their campaign was very much led by Prosper. Rock solid throughout, she was often her team's best scoring option because of her extended shooting range and she also added five boards per game to her 13 points per outing. The Quebec native has a really smooth game, good length, is fine on the glass and will have to be watched closely by Canada's opponents.

Mable Doumbia - Mali - Packs a punch at both ends 

Mali benefited from a significant one-two punch when they won gold at the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship last year. While her teammate Rokiatou Berthe took the headlines as MVP, there was not a lot in it. Doumbia showed that with a strong All-Star Five display and averaged 14 points and 4.7 assists per game. If she can get anywhere near that level of return on Hungarian soil, she could help Mali continue to build their legacy in this competition which has regularly returned wins.

Jada Williams - USA - Charisma and leadership

 
An All-Star Five member at the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship last year when USA stormed to gold, the playmaker is about to make her global debut and there is a lot of anticipation. Rated as one of the best of her generation and with the added excitement and buzz of her mammoth social online presence, Williams is a big talent and could be a senior star in the future.

Jayda Clark - Australia - The glue any team needs

While teammate Isla Juffermans headlined for Australia at the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship in Amman en-route to gold, there was a lot to enjoy about the efforts of Clark. She is such a hard worker and with a tremendous character too, this is the kind of important glue that the Sapphires will need to make the podium. She averaged 11 points and 4.3 assists per game in Amman.

Koknoe Ueno - Japan - Don't leave her open

It was an agonizing experience for Japan in Amman recently as they came so, so close to winning the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship. Their one point loss to Australia in the title game was a disappointment, but one big positive was Ueno. The guard only averaged 14 minutes per game but managed to attain a double-digit points haul in the competition.Her three-point shooting was impressive and if she can find her range from outside and continue her defensive work, she will be a leader in Debrecen for her team.

FIBA