NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - It was quite exciting watching the 2015 WNBA draft unfold last week, with several rising stars that I've seen in the flesh for several years getting the nod.

I am of course referring to those cosmopolitan non-USA picks that always stimulate so much interest and this year, it came via a European quartet.

The first thing that struck me is that none were guards or wing players, but all frontcourt operators.

Amanda Zahui is unmistakable whenever she is on the floor for so many reasons. Firstly she has a powerful and dominating physical presence, which is accentuated by the distinctive hairstyle she usually rocks.

She is also unconventional in her movements and her basketball mechanics are not exactly slick or out of the textbook. However, she is hugely engaging, fun to watch and damn effective in most things she does - all of which make her a very good player, as evidenced at Minnesota.

Relive @AmandaZahui's top moments of the season, which includes being picked No. 2 by @TulsaShock in the @WNBA Draft http://t.co/P3OG7QfiLj

— Minnesota WBB (@GophersWBB) April 19, 2015

After being selected second overall by the Tulsa Shock, she may get more attention if she plays at her first major tournament with the Sweden national team at EuroBasket Women 2015.

I first saw Amanda back some six years ago at the U16 European Championship for Women in Naples, Italy when she led the team in scoring and rebounding. She was the bright light of a mediocre team and highlighting how she was always tipped for the top from a very young age, it was the third time she had competed at the event.

I also witnessed her last outing at youth level, when she played at the U20 European Championship Women in 2012 in Debrecen, Hungary. That was a strange tournament for her, because she was very up and down - going 5 of 24 against Serbia and Turkey and spilling the ball too many times in the competition, but then tearing Belarus apart with a 27 point and 15 rebound display.

I think much will depend on confidence and the support she has around her when it comes to being successful at the pro level, but she is the kind of personality and player we should be trying to promote the game around and I really like her a lot.

Next in line was Zofia Hruscakova who was drafted 24th by the Phoenix Mercury and they have seriously got a fascinating player. The forward is right up there in my estimation as one of the best young players I have seen in recent years in the youth game.

Three years ago, she played at the U18 European Championship Women and really came onto my radar for sure in Bucharest, Romania. But it was when she then went (as I did) to the U20 European Championship Women that same year in Debrecen that I got really excited.

She killed it in so many games against players who were two or three years older and yet you couldn't really pinpoint why at first. Not overtly powerful, you realise Hruscakova is just a smooth operator in ever way. She displays the minimum of fuss and produces maximum efficiency. With incredible poise, she really is the consummate 'right time-right place' kind of player.

Her feel for the game and smarts are extraordinary and to lead her country in points and rebounds when still a teenager last year to help Slovak Republic punch a ticket to EuroBasket Women 2015 tells you all you need to know.

Dragana Stankovic is absolutely terrific too and she has shown that at pro-level already, with a year in EuroLeague Women and then a season in EuroCup Women at UE Sopron in Hungary. Perhaps more well known, the center was picked up 30th by the San Antonio Stars.

She blocks shots for fun, is a formidable defensive presence and combined with her efficient finishing around the basket and ability to run the floor well for her height, is a well rounded player. Little wonder she was one of the promoted rising stars last year.

I have always loved watching her play with the Serbia youth teams and this draft selection will add more momentum to the clamour to see her promoted to the senior side for EuroBasket Women 2015.

Finally Marica Gajic being drafted 32nd by the Washington Mystics added to the renowned reputation head coach Mike Thibault has for showing an interest in European ball.

I have seen her less than the others, but heard so many good things about her. While she hasn't played at the highest level for club or country due to Bosnia and Herzegovina playing second tier international youth basketball, there is still quite a buzz about her.

She is a modern-era post-player who loves to set screens and pop out into space to use her sweet looking ‘lefty’ shot from mid-range - or even from the three-point line.

Quality on the glass and with a high IQ of the game, she won MVP of the Adriatic League while a teenager recently, having taken the same title last year at the U20 European Championship Women Division B when she famously tore it up.

Gajic is the ultimate sleeper because of not being on the Division A youth radar.

But if she gets big league experience in Europe very soon, then Thibault and the Mystics might ultimately find they have unearthed a diamond out of the Division B darkness.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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