MVP race heating up

UDINE/CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017) - As we approach the business end of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, the race for the All-Star Five and MVP is in full swing.

We take a look at some of the leading candidates from those teams involved in the Quarter-Finals.

Maria Vadeeva - Russia

The EuroLeague Women champion and 2015 Finalist at this event has shown why she is rated as one of the best teenagers in the women's game with an eye-bulging 15.5 points and 13.8 boards per game. Her mammoth efficiency rating of 27 is also the best in the competition.

Raisa Musina - Russia

Sometimes overshadowed by her compatriot, Musina is only a whisker away from the same phenomenal contribution. She is averaging a stellar tournament double-double of 13.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game and perhaps most impressively, has 4.3 assists per outing as well.

Aislinn Konig - Canada

With a record-breaking performance to her name when she dropped ten triples in the Group clash with Latvia, Konig leads her nation with more than 14 points per game. To her credit, she is also showing she is more than a shooter with a team-high 4.3 assists.

Laeticia Amihere - Canada

Despite being one of the youngest players in the competition, Amihere is leading Canada is performance efficiency and that has been helped by shooting an excellent 56 percent from the field. She is also grabbing 7.3 rebounds and is her team's leading shot-blocker too.

Eziyoda Magbegor - Australia

Stephanie Mawuli - Japan

As Japan bid to make the last four of the tournament for the first time, much of their hopes are pinned to the chest of Mawuli. Her athleticism and strength inside has contributed to their 4-0 record, with the forward averaging 10.8 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Han Xu - China

The leading shot-blocker in the competition, Xu made the All-Star Five at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship last year. She has again shown her strength under the basket for China with four double-doubles and an average of 13.3 points and 10 boards per game.

Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi - France

Even if she missed a game through injury, she has still been a big force for France in the paint and is their top performer in terms of both efficiency and rebounding. She harvests 9.3 boards per game to go with her 9.7 points and she also has an eye-catching 2.7 blocks per game.

Iris Junio - Spain

With her injury nightmares behind her, Junio is back on the world stage again and showing why she was tipped to make it to the top. Top of her nation's chart for efficiency, rebounding and assists, her all-action style is one of the reasons they are pushing for the Semi-Finals yet again.

Take Your Pick! - USA

Ty Harris (#6), Chennedy Carter (#8) and Crystal Dangerfield (#4, far right) are 3 of 6-7 USA players in the running for MVP

There are at six or seven genuine candidates who could put in big games across these last three days and take the MVP title. That is assuming the holders make it to the title game. Crystal Dangerfield is leading in assists, Chennedy Carter and Ruthy Hebard are co-leaders in points and have both impressed. Meanwhile forward Joyner Holmes was in the All-Star Five at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship 2014 and has been terrific again. Bella Alarie and Ty Harris are also in the mix. 

FIBA