NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - The recent inclusion of Tilbe Senyurek and Cansu Koksal on the Turkey roster for the FIBA World Championship for Women extended the watch list of rising stars that little bit further.

I was delighted for the duo and especially Senyurek, a player who has been on my radar for a while - although  still has some work to do if she is to realise her potential at the top level.

Importantly though, Senyurek has size and as Turkey look to the medium to longer term for a home-grown option under the hoop, she could fit the bill if she keeps working hard and has the appetite to find peak shape, as well as refining her post game.

Senyurek certainly has a big opportunity ahead of her and since Turkey have two options for starting center place in either the naturalised Quanitra Hollingsworth or Lara Sanders, I feel that the youngster has the most to gain by giving her nation a long term option at the five spot.

Koksal meanwhile is a player who I have admittedly seen less. A more dynamic forward, who doesn't always put up big numbers, she has a varied skill-set and can take care of the intangibles.

I think it was a brilliant move by Coach Ceyhun Yildizoglu to include both, rather than just one of them. Away from the action itself, it will be good for them to be able to lean on each other and take away the attention and pressure from being the sole 'young star'.

Coming off the back of France dispensing with Olivia Epoupa and Valeriane Ayayi which I touched on in last week's column, I was particularly pleased that the rising star list has been bolstered with the inclusion of the Turkish duo.

We already have the outrageously talented Ji Su Park of Korea to look forward to as she makes her debut at the senior level, while Kia Nurse is in my top three young players to look out for when the action starts.

I have covered Nurse extensively in the last year or so and the Canadian playmaker needs little introduction - but suffice to say, I can't wait to see her.

Across the border, there is an interesting scenario been thrown up for USA head coach Geno Auriemma due to the withdrawl of Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker. Two of the biggest names in women's basketball not being considered might seem like bad news for the competition.

However as one box-office window slams shut, another potentially opens and I am fascinated to see if this gives Auriemma and the Selection Committee an even more free-hand to throw a debut to someone or maybe even a couple of players.

My pick would be Breanna Stewart because I will not get tired of saying it - she is built for this game we love and is the full package. I would also love to see Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner or Chiney Ogwumike handed a ticket for Istanbul.

Spain coach Lucas Mondelo has indicated he will be pained at having to trim his roster. The situation with Astou Ndour isn't helping because she is tearing it up in preparation, yet remains odds-on to be left behind due to EuroBasket Women 2013 MVP Sancho Lyttle taking the naturalised ticket.

The gaps left by Amaya Valdemoro and Elisa Aguilar might get filled by someone like Leonor Rodriguez, who has helped her cause. Yet the Spanish mix is being muddied because even vets like Nuria Martinez who has always been on the periphery of things has shown a strong hand.

Just quickly switching back to the watch-list of young guns and really I hope it will grow further in the next week or two as the final seelctions are made.

Because, despite the somewhat exciting and unexpected addition of Senyurek and Koksal, the list is still a little too short for my liking!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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