Best of 2016: Australian Sapphires sparkle with stunning first FIBA U17 Worlds title

MIES (Switzerland) - The 2016 edition of the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup was a historic one in Zaragoza, Spain as Australia claimed a maiden title and USA tasted their first ever loss.

There was also more magic from Mali to enjoy, but the headline story was one that made the entire female hoops world sit up and take notice. Meanwhile our wrap of the 2010 edition is HERE, the 2012 edition is HERE and the 2014 edition is HERE.

The best team: Australia show USA are not invincible 

With three titles under their belt and having not even lost a game, USA headed to Zaragoza as the red-hot favorittes to retain their crown. However, Australia proceeded to tear up that script with a superb maiden title that sent shockwaves around the women's basketball world.

This was absolutely no fluke or shock. Superbly led by head coach Shannon Seebohm, the Sapphires were full value, dispensing USA in the Semi-Finals and then crushing Italy in a one-sided title game. Driven towards gold by Ezi Magbegor under the basket and some brilliance from the likes of Jaz Shelley, Jasmine Simmons and Monique Conti, they showcased some real dpeth on their roster.

The other major story was a historic run from Italy to the title game - something that was in stark contrast to their loss to Mali two years earlier.

Rank	Team	W-L
1.	Australia	6-0
2.	Italy	5-2
3.	USA	6-1
4.	China	4-3
5.	Czech Republic	4-3
6.	Spain	5-2
7.	Canada	4-2
8.	France	2-5
9.	Japan	4-2
10.	Latvia	2-4
11.	Mali	3-4
12.	Portugal	`1-5
13.	Brazil	2-4
14.	Mexico	1-6
15.	Korea	0-6

Meet the MVP: Ezi Magbegor (Australia)

Ezi Magbegor had reason for a double celebration in Zaragoza after receiving the Most Valuable Player award.The center lit up the highlights reel throughout the tournament for first time champions Australia with her super athletic ability and shot blocking. She finished with averages of 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, shooting an excellent 55 percent from the floor. Of course Magbegor is now a centrepeice for the Opals senior team and was recently named MVP at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil.

She was joined on the All-Star Five by her Sapphires team-mate Monique Conti who scored 18 points in the 62-38 Final success against Italy. There was also a place for do-it-all Australian captain Jasmine Simmons, who wrapped up her campaign with a special double-double of 14 points and 12 boards in the title game.

While disappointed not to have shone in the Final, there was some consolation for Italy forward Sara Madera who represented her nation with a berth after taking them to a historic silver.  Meanwhile China center Xu Han sealed the last spot after demonstrating why she was viewed as one of the best prospects in Asia with a tournament double-double of more than 15 points and 10 boards per outing.

On absoulte fire:  Xu Han (China)

A towering performance from the towering Han was pivotal to China grinding out a 55-51 Quarter-Finals success against Spain as the center broke home hearts. Now one of the most instantly recognisable ballers in the senior game, the China ace showed what was to come six years ago with a stellar 18 points and 18 rebounds in that game. She also had a fantastic five blocked shots too. She was MVP of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup last year.

Five star entertainment: The Sapphires sink USA

This was an epic and not because it was necessarily a nail-biter, but because of what it signified. It was a Semi-Final contest for a start, with plenty on the line and the entire Arena and those watching from afar were aking - could a handy-looking Sapphires team really push USA close?

Well, they did more than that of course as they took a famous 73-60 triumph that was paced brilliantly by an all-action display from Jaz Shelley who finished with 23 points, 8 reboiunds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

African history: Mali continue their meteoric climb

Having made history with a first ever win in 2012 on their debut, then that famous success against Italy in 2014, it was more momentum and joy for Mali in Zaragoza. They showed the potential of African basketball on the global stage once more as they won three games, beating Brazil, Portugal and Mexico. It was quite a landmark and it could have been four victories as they only just lost out on beating Italy again. They also made friends with their spirit, attitude and warmth - as their relationship with Mexico attested. 

The hidden star: Monica Okoye (Japan)

An Olympic silver medalist at Tokyo 2020 and a FIBA Women's AsiaCup 2021 champion too, Okoye is right at the heart of her nation's climb skywards as one of the best female hoops nations on the planet. Her three-point shooting and ability to make clutch buckets have been vital. Yet back in 2016, she only scored 4 points per game and struggled to stand out. How things have changed for her!

Stats leaders

Scorers

Player	Points Per Game
Jisu Park	16.5
Aleksa Gulbe	15.7
Salimatou Kourouma	15.6
Xu Han	15.0
Jiaqi Wang	13.9

 

Rebounds

Player	Rebounds Per Game
Laeticia Amihere	13.0
Xu Han	10.7
Salimatou Kourouma	10.6
Aquira De Costa	10.1
Patricia Ayala	9.9

 

Assists

Player	Assists Per Game
Jiaqi Wang	5.0
Destiny Henderson	5.0
Isabela Nicoletti	4.2
Jasmine Simmons	4.2
Aina Ayuso	4.1

 

FIBA