VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - I saw the best the old continent had to offer at last month's EuroBasket Women with France, Belgium, Greece, Latvia and Turkey all clinching spots and joining hosts Spain in next year's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

What are the other teams we're going to see in Tenerife? Four will make it from Asia. That's where I am now, in Bengaluru, India, watching history unfold as both Australia and New Zealand make their first-ever appearances in a FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

The Opals and Tall Ferns are doing the business, as they say, but so are great teams from the Far East. And there are a lot of good players. Here is the standout five from the Group Phase.

Manami Fujioka, Japan

Fujioka has been end-to-end excitement

You know all about Ramu Tokashiki and Asami Yoshidi from the Land of the Rising Sun. Well, the player that has been wheeling and dealing for Japan in India has been the electric Fujioka. 'The Japanese Blur' knows only two speeds: fast and faster. She quickens the pace both in transition and the half-court. Fujioka, who fittingly wears the No. 1 jersey, takes no prisoners. At 1.70m (5ft 7in) in height, she's not the biggest player in Bengaluru yet Fujioka has been flat-out amazing while averaging 12.7 points, 8 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. She is all over the highlight reel in the game against Australia.

Kelsey Griffin, Australia

Talk about sudden impact? Griffin has been superb on her debut

The 30-year-old Bendigo Spirit star has raised eyebrows with her first run in an Opals jersey. She's a perfect fit on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Griffin gets out on the break while in half-court sets, she either makes passes that lead to baskets, puts the ball on the deck and drives to the hoop or hits jump shots. Defensively, she can guard most players. Korea certainly had no answers for Griffin, who poured in 15 points against them. She is firmly in contention for a spot on Australia's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2017 roster.

Li Yueru, China

Li is just 18 but already one of China's most important players

Forget all the experience that China has on their loaded roster. It's the 18-year-old newcomer that has emerged as their key player so far. The sky is the limit for a 2.01m (6ft 7in) center that has played on the low blocks like she owns them. While it remains to be seen how she will fare against elite opposition offered by Japan and Australia, Li has left no doubt that she is now a new force in China after averaging 19ppg and 9.7rpg in the Group Phase. She had 33 points against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Jillian Harmon, New Zealand

The consistent Harmon does it all for the Tall Ferns

There are leaders, and there are "put the team on your back" leaders. The 30-year-old Harmon has been the latter for the Tall Ferns. One of the three players on the Kiwis' roster that played for the country at the 2008 Olympics, Harmon averaged 37mpg in wins over the D.P.R. of Korea and Chinese Taipei, victories that have given the New Zealanders a chance to reach the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Averaging 19ppg and 14rpg in those two victories, Harmon also led the team with a gritty defensive effort. 

Ro Suk Yong, D.P.R. of Korea

Ro has a motor that never breaks down

Forget the fact that her team has lost all three of its games, Ro has been fabulous. Not only is she skilled, but determined. There may not be a harder worker on the Bengaluru hardwood than the 24-year-old, a 1.81m (5ft 11in) center. Her 32-point performance in a 77-76 defeat to Chinese Taipei on opening day was arguably the finest effort of any player so far at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

Jeff Taylor
FIBA

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