UDINE/CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017) - We take a look at how the biggest names in the women's game can point to the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup as an important step on their journey to stardom.

Maya Moore

It's now a decade since the phenomenal talent of the USA wing star was on show at the 2007 edition in Bratislava when she netted more than 16 points, six rebounds and four assists per game. Taking USA to gold, the all-action style of Moore has built an army of fans around the world, while she has a bulging cabinet full of individual accolades, as well as team silverware. Being crowned MVP of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2014, was just one highlight amongst two Olympic golds, three WNBA titles and a EuroLeague Women winners medal in 2012. The former WNBA MVP and Finals MVP has also won a string of titles in China with Shanxhi Rui Flame, to underline her global appeal.

Alba Torrens

Featuring in Bratislava during 2007 and appearing 12 months later at the Beijing Olympics, Torrens has evolved into of the most exciting and dynamic players in the women’s basketball world and arguably the best European player because of her terrific athleticism and ability to run the floor. She is a double EuroBasket Women champion, has clocked up a historic FIBA Women’s World Cup Final appearance with Spain and a first-ever Olympic silver medal. She is also multi EuroLeague Women champion. 

Elizabeth Cambage

The towering Cambage posted a sensational individual display at the tournament in 2009 when she netted a magnificent 20 points per game to lead the competition in scoring. Unstoppable in the paint, she led Australia to the FIBA Oceania Championship for Women during the same year, prior to making her senior global debut at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2010. However, it was London 2012 when she rocketed to prominence as her Olympic dunk went viral. Cambage then posted a rare and quite stunning Olympic tournament double-double of 23.5 points and 10.3 boards per game in Rio.

Diana Taurasi

Considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest women’s basketball player of all time and one of her first ever forays onto the global stage came at U19 level during 2001 in Prague. Ironically, despite her inclusion and 19.3 points per game, it remains the last time USA missed the top step of the podium. Not that this deterred Taurasi from becoming an iconic figure. She has won four Olympic golds, two FIBA Women’s World Cup titles, three WNBA titles, six EuroLeague Women titles and an array of individual accolades - including being the only person to have ever been named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year four times. 

Celine Dumerc

A legend in her homeland and having catapulted herself into the French mainstream sporting media with her exploits during a standout career, Dumerc appeared at the event way back in 2001. She added more than 14 points per game to carry France into the top five. In 2009, she played the pivotal role in taking Les Bleues to the EuroBasket Women title in Latvia. Although her mesmerizing performances at London 2012 when she catapulted France into the Olympic Final cemented her star status beyond the borders of Europe. She also grabbed silver at EuroBasket Women 2013, 2015 and 2017 as she became the most capped player in French women's baskertball history. Dumerc also won EuroCup Women with her beloved Tango Bourges Basket in 2016, to add to an already bulging haul of domestic honors. 

Breanna Stewart

One of the new generation of uber-popular and talented female players, Stewart is synonymous with U19 Women because of the fact she won consecutive titles in 2011 in Chile and then in 2013 in Lithuania when crowned MVP. Having landed senior Olympic gold in Rio last year, she is an emerging global star. This is helped by the fact that she is not only big in the WNBA, but also in China after competing in the WCBA last season. Such worldwide appeal is rare and it is only set to grow, with the player perhaps looking set to dip her toes into EuroLeague Women waters as well.

FIBA