The top 20 stars to play at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup; Places 5-1

MADRID (Spain) - It's time for the last part of our countdown series looking at the best players to have competed at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup during an illustrious near 40 year history.

It's been a near impossible job to shrink down the outstanding candidates with almost four decades of stellar players to choose from. But having already selected places 20-16, those occupying 15-11 and last time 10-6, here we are with the long-awaited top five. 

5. Margo Dydek, Poland (1993)

The towering legend made a big impression at the 1993 #FIBAU19 when taking Poland to a historic bronze - still their only medal to date. The FIBA Hall of Fame member went on to show her class at major events including famously making more history with Poland's first and only FIBA Women's EuroBasket title in 1999. Standing at over 7ft / 2.19m tall, she was often unguardable. Loved and respected by so many, Dydek tragically died at just 37-years-old, but will never be forgotten for her amazing contribution to the sport.

4. Lisa Leslie, USA (1989)

One of the newest FIBA Hall of Fame members, Leslie played #FIBAU19 at the second edition in 1989, although it was seriously bittersweet. USA posted a rare losing record and finished 7th, while Leslie herself impressed with a team-high 13 points per outing. But what followed was astonishing. She won four Olympic titles as the USA's leading scorer on three occasions. The center also won two FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup titles and was MVP in 2002. A WNBA legend, she famously threw down the league's first dunk.

3. Lauren Jackson, Australia (1997)

What a story. What a fairytale finish for the Opals' legend last year on home soil in Sydney having come out of retirement to claim a bronze medal at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup with one of the best displays of her stellar career. She played #FIBAU19 in 1997 when the Gems took silver and went on to deliver a huge punch at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2006 when Australia won the title. With five appearances in the flagship competition and four Olympic outings too, 'LJ' is truly an iconic figure.

2. Diana Taurasi, USA (2001)

Regarded by many as the women's basketball GOAT, Taurasi is one of the most recognizable, revered and decorated female players in history. A five-time Olympic champion and three-time FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup winner, the guard actually had a more humbling experience at #FIBAU19 in 2001 in Czech Republic when she made her global debut. The USA had to settle for bronze, despite Taurasi scoring 19 points per game. However as her career unfolded, it would be one barely matched in terms of success.

1. Breanna Stewart, USA (2011 and 2013)

Appearing at two #FIBAU19 tournaments is an integral part of the journey that Stewart has undertaken to become the best player in the women's game. Her commitment to FIBA competitions has been incredible and after two golds in Chile in 2011 and Lithuania 2013, she went on to conquer the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup three times in 2014, 2018 when she was crowned MVP and in 2022. With multiple Olympic golds and massive success at club level on both sides of the Atlantic, she's already one of the best ever.

FIBA