NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - It's time to begin preparing the all-important watch list for the forthcoming FIBA U19 Women's World Championship later this month in Chekhov and Vidnoe, Russia.

Favourites in Group A will be host nation Russia and I am incredibly excited to see one of the best frontcourts ever assembled in the competition and potentially one of the best in youth basketball down the years.

That is how much I rate the reigning European champions, who take up a big chunk of my watch-list. Both Zhosselina Maiga and Tatiana Sema were highly impressive as twin towers last year, but to think that Sparta&K MR. Vidnoje duo Raisa Musina and Maria Vadeeva are also now on board, it is an incredible four player rotation in the post.

Musina was recently crowned MVP at the prestigious Reze International Tournament and the 16-year-old Vadeeva made a thunderous splash at the senior level by producing a better shooting effort at EuroBasket Women 2015 than any of her more senior colleagues.

Throw in another Sparta&K duo in Daria Kolosovskaia who was MVP in Matosinhos last year and Kseniia Levchenko at point guard, there is so much to love about this Russia team - and the youth development system at Sparta&K.

Argentina will field one of the most highly-rated young forwards in the Americas with Victoria Llorente making her second appearance in the tournament and it will be great to watch how she has developed since 2013.

Indeed there is a real treat for those who love a good battle in the paint, since Netherlands will have Emese Hof to look out for - although I am saddened Janis Ndiba won't be suiting up. However, with Laura Cornelius set to appear in her second edition of the event,  the 'Orange Angels' have a real leader in the backcourt.

Chinese Taipei will be something of an unknown quantity and underdogs of course, but I am pinpointing You-Jing Jhang on my own watch list after she almost harvested a tournament double-double of 11.6 points and nine boards per game in Jordan last year.

Group B contains defending champions USA, but even this multi-talented roster won't produce my number one player to watch.

That is because the unmistakable Angela Salvadores will be suiting up for Spain and every time I get to see her play, it fills my heart to the brim with even more passion for basketball. I love to watch her play the game as I have never seen such a perfect cocktail of exterior talent and a hard as nails character.

Not that the USA don't have anyone to look out for. I mean come on, seeing A'ja Wilson play again will be a thrill after watching her in Klaipeda two years ago when she was the youngest player on the top of the podium.

I also love the shooting touch and almost unique style of Katie Lou Samuelson. I enjoyed her contributions at the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship last year. I also want to check out how Lauren Cox performs, because she really did arrive at the party when her country needed her in that incredible Final and the center really impressed me that day.

China will be without Sijing Huang who really lit up last year's FIBA U18 Asia Women's Championship and that is a pity as she was on my draft list. Instead I will see how Manman Zhang impresses as a playmaker.

I am also intrigued by Dilana Dilishati. She was sensational at the FIBA U16 Asia Women's Championship a couple of years ago and yet really struggled to impose herself on her global debut in Czech Republic last year. I put her ineffectiveness down to the coaching if I am honest and I really want to see her bounce back and play aggressively - ideally with a smile on her face too.

While roster information is expected to be confirmed in coming days, Egypt are likely to rely on Nadine Selaawi who excelled in Klatovy last year - someone I didn't get to see much as I was predominantly in Pilsen. So, I hope to rectify this in Russia.

Finally, when it comes to a watch list, you can't ask any better than to have two of the three best young players I have ever seen 'live' in Salvadores and Vadeeva in the same tournament.

Only Breanna Stewart tops this duo. Although whether it is truly the best or maybe more of a favourite podium of mine matters not - because I am only so honoured to have seen these fine young women play!

My second watch list from Groups C and D will follow next week!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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