CARACAS (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Venezuela will not enter the FIBA Americas Women's Championship in Canada later this year as one of the favorites, but no opponent should take the team coached by Oscar Silva lightly.

The Vinotinto, who travel to Edmonton, Canada, for the event which is to be staged from 9-16 August, will compete in Group B against Brazil, the Virgin Islands, Argentina and Ecuador.

Of the Venezuelan players that are growing in stature is 20-year-old Daniela Wallen, a native of Caracas who is competing in American college basketball for Northwest Florida State College Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Wallen only began playing basketball at the age of 12 but with plenty of hard work, she earned a spot in the Venezuela side that competed at the 2010 South American U15 Championship and made a huge statement, averaging 18 points and almost seven rebounds per game.

She played the following year, too, at the FIBA Americas Women's U16 Championship in Mexico and again led Venezuela in scoring at 11 points per game.

By 2013, despite still being a teenager, she graduated to the senior team and played at the South American Women's Championship and the FIBA Americas Women's Championship.

Now, she is taking her game to new heights in the United States.

Wallen led the Lady Raiders in scoring as a sophomore at 15.4 points per game, leading them into the college postseason.

So what kind of player is Wallen?

In a recent interview with the Northwest Florida Daily News, she said: "I like running.

"I like transition.

"I like making points, making layups. We [Northwest Florida State] play defense really good."

She also likes it when games become physical.

"I like playing hard," she said.

"I like playing physical.

"The rebounds ... I like to jump. I like that part of the game."

Wallen is such a good athlete that in Edmonton, the fans may get a chance to see her elevate and slam one home.

One time I want to dunk. I've come close. - Wallen

Wallen had plenty of confidence when she arrived for the start of her sophomore year at Northwest Florida State.

It came following a terrific campaign at the 2014 South American Women's Championship, where she helped Venezuela finish third.

Her national team coach, Silva, said after the tournament that she was the best "sixth player" and her numbers revealed that to be the case.

Wallen, who has spoken of her dream to play in the WNBA one day, averaged 15.6 points and 8.2 rebounds in Ambato, Ecuador.

Venezuela recently named a 24-strong squad for this summer.

Among the most prominent players are Ivaney Marquez, their leading scorer at the last FIBA Americas Women's Championship as well as Yosimar Corrales, Waleska Perez, Cleyder Blanco.

As part of their preparations for this summer, Venezuela will travel to Europe and square off against Australia and hosts Spain in Huelva at the beginning of June.

Australia are getting ready for the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship while Spain are preparing for the EuroBasket Women.

Venezuela preliminary squad for 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship: Zenahir Almeida, Carolina Amesquita, Mirna Araujo, Cleydar Blanco, Edicta Blanco, Endrina Bolivar, Yosimar Corrales, Mariana Duran, Marielka Garate, Ana Garcia, Laury Garcia, Hilda Guzman, Mayerling Landaeta, Siuly Marcano, Yvaney Marquez, Maria Montilla, Luisana Ortega, Waleska Perez, Cynthia Polanco, Kellimar Ramirez, Genesis Rivera, Edmari Gil Rodriguez, Roselis Silva, Daniela Wallen.

Go to fiba.com/Americaswomen2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship.

FIBA