NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - With the dust having settled on the draw for the 2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship, it's time to break it all down and starting with Groups A and B.

Group A
It's undoubtedly the most interesting and cosmopolitan of all the groups, with a lot of unknowns and contrasting styles of basketball and so this could be for those who love contrasting styles of play. It has two debutantes for a start, in both Nigeria and Latvia.

Nigeria
They will be the group underdogs, if for no other reason than the previous record of African teams - although Mali's win against Italy in Klatovy two years ago is reason for cheer. Meanwhile in Chinelo Ibeh, they have a very capable forward. But the lack of a consistent perimeter threat could hurt them and they will really have to shoot the ball well to be competitive.

Latvia
As for the Latvians, they have Aleksa Gulbe who will carry a load in the paint having led the team in points and rebounds last year when finishing fifth at the U16 European Championship Women. Latvia's hopes will also be determined by their defense, how composed Luize Septe is in pulling the strings under pressure and their ability to perhaps beat Japan and deal with that quickness of their opponents.

Japan
Japan themselves are looking for a fourth straight Quarter-Final place at this year's edition and have finished in the top five twice. This time around, they could be just as effective.

They are difficult to guard because they have multiple scoring options and arguably no stand out player that their opponents can look to lock down.

At last year's FIBA Asia U16 Women's Championship, just four points separated the quartet of Itsuki Hashiguchi, Izumi Abe, Haruki Takahara and Haruna Kasagi. That kind of multi-functional offense and widespread contributions could be priceless.

Canada
Canada could probably be installed as favourites after landing their first ever title at the FIBA Americas U16 Women’s Championship last year. Much has been made about Alyssa Jerome who deservedly scooped the MVP accolade and she will be on everyone’s watch-list in Zaragoza for sure - but Canada are no one player team!

For example, Hailey Brown played the ideal role in terms of Jerome's supporting cast and her performances were central in taking her team to the top of the podium - not least her near double-double of 14 points and 9 boards in the Final against Brazil.

Brown is also bidding to play at her second FIBA U17 Women's World Championship as she was the youngest player on her nation’s roster two years ago in Czech Republic, when Canada finished sixth and so that experience will be vital. Indeed she will have the distinction of being the only player in the whole of Group A to have tasted this tournament previously.

Group B
This Group could perhaps be the most difficult to predict outside of Mexico being favourites to finish fourth behind Australia, France and China who may all feel like they can top this group. Both Australia and China won their respective continental championship’s at U16 level last year.

Australia
The Sapphires will have a possible tournament MVP in their ranks with the presence of the hugely exciting and athletic Eziyoda Magbegor.

She may be debuting, but played last year in Chekhov against players several years older than her at the FIBA U19 Women's World Championship. She held her own and showed some glimpses into her sky-high potential.

She was also sensational last year as Australia won the FIBA Oceania U16 Women's Championship as usual, although it was Jazmin Shelley who was crowned MVP. Her scoring touch added to the power of Magbegor could be tough for other teams to counter, as the Sapphires look to reach the Semi-Finals for the first time.

China
China may have a real edge in the paint when they take to the floor on Spanish soil, since Yueri Li is an imposing figure who was rampant as her team rode to the FIBA Asia U16 Women’s Championship title last year in Indonesia. She is the centrepiece of the team and having shot 54 percent in that event and corralled a tournament double-double, everyone will be excited to measure her true capabilities against an even higher level of opposition.

The Asian champions also have real talent in the backcourt in Jiaqi Wang, who can really shoot the ball from behind the three-point line and the scouting report should read something along the lines of leaving her open at your peril.

China will also be looking to recapture former glories as they finished third at the inaugural edition of the competition but then didn't qualify in 2012 and could only manage a very disappointing 11th spot in Czech Republic. They are likely to return one survivor from that line-up in the shape of Lingge Zhang.

France
Like all of their national teams, France should prove hard to break down and the emphasis will be on defense first.

That was very much the case in Matosinhos last summer when former national team star Cathy Melain guided her team to seven wins from nine outings, which was a better record than a couple of teams above them. However they only finished sixth to squeeze out the last ticket to Spain.

While not able to play expansive basketball or with any kind of big scoring talents, the team ethic around discipline and defense is the key ingredient to dig out victories. But having difficulty in really scoring regularly from downtown and putting opponents to bed early means that they always risk losing a close one. They do have some nice talent though and Clara Bretagne is a smooth guard who caught the eye last year, while Tima Pouye is always at the centre of the action!

Mexico
Finally, Mexico have accomplished a major feat in qualifying for this tournament for a second time after also featuring two years ago. They struggled at first on debut but racked up a historic first ever win by beating Egypt. They finished fourth at last year's FIBA Americas U16 Women's Championship on home soil in Puebla and will take heart from a rousing and memorable 68-57 win against Argentina. Fans should watch out for Maria Ruiz and Sharon Rangel who will be their twin turbos.

Tune in next week when I will take a look at Groups C and D!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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