Which rising stars will make the biggest splash at #FIBAU16Europe Division B?

PODGORICA (Montenegro) - The FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023, Division B in Montenegro will see a number of young guns taking to the stage ready to showcase their talent. 

Here are just some of the names to put on your watchlist ahead of the tournament which tips off on Thursday 10 August.

You can also use the fan vote below to tell us which player you think will have the biggest impact at the event. 

Joyce Isi Etute - Luxembourg

The size and power of Etute will cause nightmares for opposing defenders in Podgorica as the Luxembourg star has already shown what she can do at the same event last year. Her contribution was excellent and she was the leading rebounder in the competition with a massive 15.8 per game, also accumulating a tournament double-double after sinking more than 14 points per outing. 

Daniele Paunksnyte - Lithuania

Paunksnyte played in Division A last time, but was unfortunately part of a Lithuania team that fell into Division B. So, the team's captain this year has more reasons than most to try and rise back to the top tier. The playmaker didn't shoot the ball as well as she can in 2022 and if that improves, she will provide the main offensive punch, and should also do a good job on the boards as usual. 

Jelena Bulajic - Montenegro

With a chunk of home hopes on her shoulders, Bulajic has not only played at U16 last summer, but incredibly has not one, but two U20 tournaments on her resume as well. That is astonishing considering her age and she will be the marquee player for the hosts, capable of directing traffic from the backcourt and coming up with clutch plays. Bulajic has already shown herself as a do-it-all player on this stage.

Quintilla Hidalgo - Netherlands

While on the surface Hidalgo posted relatively modest numbers at the 2022 edition, she now returns as a potential standout for her team and has the capability to step up her offensive production and ensure her team realizes their dreams of a promotion challenge. Athletic, a good shot blocker for her position, always hungry on the glass, if she shoots the ball well, she will be a force for the Dutch. 

Isold Saevarsdottir - Iceland

Featuring promisingly last year, Saevarsdottir will be looking to turn up the dial for Iceland this time around, using all her experience from 2022. The top scorer with 11.3 points per game, second in rebounding and with a team-high 3.7 assists per outing, those digits will likely increase with her heightened maturity and she will be at the top of most team's scouting reports when they face Iceland. 

Svitlana Poliantseva - Ukraine

Poliantseva not only played last year, but has already racked up a 2023 youth tournament after taking to the floor in Sofia for the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship, Division B. The 25 minutes per game she logged at the higher age level tells all you need to know about how important the forward will be for Ukraine in Podgorica. She might not post huge numbers, but she's a leader.

FIBA