WOQT's Smart Player Power Rankings; Who's made the Top 20 list?

MIES (Switzerland) - Many of the best female ballers on the planet will take to the court when the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024 get underway, but who makes the Top 20 watch-list?

Attempting the near impossible of jamming all the amazing players into this rundown and sticking to a maximum of three per nation - here's the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments Smart Player Power Rankings.

 

 

20. Virag Kiss - Hungary

While you could make a case for multiple Hungarian players to squeeze into this list, it was Kiss that really stood up tall last year at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 to help take their best finish in decades. The forward caught fire and since, she is ballin in EuroLeague Women. Hungary need her at the top of her form again.

19. Julie Vanloo - Belgium

The guard deservedly made the All-Star Five at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 as Belgium captured that amazing historic title. She made some big shots and has been on fire in EuroCup Women with Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring too - dishing out assists like candy.  

18. Satou Sabally - Germany

What an absolute boost it is for Germany to have Sabally after missing the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. The forward is a stellar and proven talent. Her appearances last November in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers were a great sign, so let's see if she will establish herself as the number-one baller for an ambitious Germany side on the rise! 

17. Kamilla Soares - Brazil

The FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2023 MVP is in Belem to do business again for Brazil. The fans' favorite will be working in tandem with Damiris Dantas which is exciting. She will show how much she's improved from an already impressive global debut at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.

16.  Arella Guirantes - Puerto Rico

Brilliant at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 when she was the inspiration behind Puerto Rico's first-ever win and all-around sensational campaign, Guirantes will be influential once more. She has been balling out in EuroLeague Women with Beretta Famila Schjo too. Her vision, strength, and composure in the backcourt will be key.

15. Gabby Williams - France

Back from the injury that sidelined her for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, Williams will be looking to replicate the sizzling form of Sydney 2022 when she really did turn up the noise in a French jersey. That was her best tournament to date and with defense a lock, if she gets going offensively too, she's a tough assignment for anyone.

14. Raquel Carrera - Spain

With all the noise around the addition of Megan Gustafson in the paint and the super form in EuroLeague Women of Laura Gil, don't go sleeping on Carrera. Still arguably one of the best 'next-gen leaders' around, she will continue to grow in influence off the back of a nice FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. Is her best tournament for Spain incoming?

13. Bridget Carleton - Canada

 
Firepower! When Carleton gets hot on the court, you had better call the fire service crew - so get ready, those in Sopron. She so often finds the hot-hand from range but is so much more than a three-point danger for her team. Strong. savvy and always drawing defensive attention, she recently dropped 41 for Gyor in a EuroLeague Women game!

12. Mai Yamamoto - Japan

The great hope for Japanese basketball moving forward, Yamamoto showed her potential at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 in a big way. While Japan have so many different options offensively and a myriad of shooting weapons, it's the energy and vibrant play of the 23-year-old that catches the eye. Can she continue the momentum?

11.  Yvonne Anderson - Serbia

Without Anderson to dig out a fifth place finish at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket, Serbia wouldn't be standing on the verge of a third Olympic Games in a row. Quick, shifty, experienced and happy to be a clutch baller for her team, if the guard is anywhere near top gear, then her adopted country are getting out of that tough-looking group in Belem.

10.  Yueru Li - China

Ruled out of the FIBA Women's AsiaCup 2023 with an injury, the return of the powerful frontcourt star will be a big positive for China. She brings that new outlook from ballin in EuroCup Women with Besiktas this season and will be on course to land double-doubles if she is on-song when the action gets underway. A real class act is back!

9.  Diana Taurasi - USA

Back for the first time in three years after many had assumed the Tokyo Olympics would be the swansong, we have to make room for the comeback of a leading GOAT like Taurasi. She will be happy to soak up the atmosphere in Antwerp and don't be surprised if she rolls back the years and gets it done for USA!

8.  Alba Torrens - Spain

You just can't keep a legend like Torrens down! Inspiring Spain to silver at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 and what could have been gold, the winger made the All-Star Five. In this 'Group of Death' it is almost certainly going to come down to composure down the stretch and someone to make the momentum-shifting shots. Look no further!

7.  Leonie Fiebich - Germany

Fiebich has been the centerpiece of a super and historic season in EuroLeague Women with rookies Casademont Zaragoza who were in the Quarter-Finals in their first campaign. Recently more than 6,000 fans were chanting MVP, MVP when she left the court. That's all you need to know, because nothing changes when she pulls the Germany vest on!

6.  Meng Li - China 

One of the best leaders in the global game, the know-how, skill and all-around influence of Meng is huge for China. While Xu Han and Yueri Li soak up a lot of the attention, the winger is the driving force and the heartbeat of this team. She arrives in good form having shown her quality by reaching the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 All-Star Five.

5.  Ezi Magbegor - Australia

The Opals' center is absolutely cooking right now and has been sensational in EuroLeague Women with title-chasing ZVVZ USK Praha. She's leading the tournament in blocks, racking up double-doubles and when it comes to the gold and green, it looks and feels like this could be her year. Watch out for an increased role and influence in 2024!

4.  Marine Johannes - France

What a great feeling it will be for every fan of French hoops when they get to see highlight reels of Johannes on the global stage again. Actually, make that fans of hoops worldwide that will be excited. It's been a long time coming and France always look more dynamic with those trademark step-back triples and crazy assists getting dished out by MJ.

3.  Xu Han- China 

Her towering frame and red-hot form was the story of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 as she landed China their first title in a decade en-route to one of the most obvious MVP awards in history! She was unstoppable. Seriously unstoppable. Her extended shooting range was just ice-cold. Can she turn up and get near that level again in 2024?

2.  Breanna Stewart - USA

'Stewie' has not played club basketball overseas this season off the back of adding another WNBA MVP award to her stellar resume last year. She's back in a USA vest for the first time since making the All-Star Five at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022.  One of, if not the very best around! No more words needed.

1.  Emma Meesseman - Belgium

What a year 2023 was. Dreamland for Meesseman after that historic first EuroLeague Women title with Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding and then a maiden FIBA Women's EuroBasket title with Belgium as MVP. A colossus and a supreme leader.  Now she gets to try and take the Cats to another Olympic Games in front of record-breaking home crowds. 

*The player power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author for the entertainment of the fans.

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