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The FIBA youth summer tips off this weekend as the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship gets underway in Sopron, Hungary – alongside the B Division tournament in Oradea, Hungary. (Photos- FIBA)

As is usually the case with the oldest youth age categories, there is plenty of NCAA interest for both the followers of the College Game to be aware of, as well as all of us with Blue Star who have watched these players come through the U16 and U18 FIBA ranks each year.

So, here is a selection to take note of via the tournament websites HERE and HERE (for Div B). I will be doing FIBA Live Updates from Sopron so keep it locked to @Basketmedia365 and games will be streamed on YouTube.

Satou Sabally –Germany and University of Oregon

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgo5tS7lhUY/

We all know her from her blistering NCAA season when she turned heads in such a spectacular way with her efforts. Sabally will play for Germany back in Division A, having provided the firepower in Division B last summer with 17 points per game put her country into the top tier for 2018! She was MVP last year and will be a favorite for the All-Star Five if Germany can punch above their weight.

Digna Strautmane – Latvia and Syracuse

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiI6LuxH_0p/

Now a star for Syracuse having posted an eye-catching Freshman season, Strautmane needs little introduction to those Stateside – or those in Europe who have watched her post dominant displays for Latvia throughout her youth career. If she can get her shooting going from long-range, then that 50% plus which is almost guaranteed from 2-point range will combine for the usual superb production all over the floor. She is a tower of strength and will spearhead Latvia’s challenge in Sopron!

Lorela Cubaj – Italy and Georgia Tech

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjh8XEEnXDw/

A top-rated forward who has been at the heart of some of Italy’s best youth results, including that amazing and historic silver medal at the U17 Worlds two years ago, Cubaj is likely to be a frontrunner for the All-Star Five in Sopron – if she plays to her full level. She did not shoot the ball well for Georgia Tech last year and struggled to recover from a cold 3 of 18 start – so she will know an improvement is required, but she has the talent to take a step up in 2019-20.

Aina Ayuso – Spain and University of Oregon

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjK7uYwBI28/

Having opted to depart the States after just one year, that seems a real shame for the program and the player in many ways. Fans will miss her ‘ankle-breakers’ which terrified opponents. It will be interesting to see how she gets on in the pro-game and of course for now, we can look forward to see her being a driver of this Spanish team who must hit top gear to defend their U20 crown.

Emmanuelle Tahane – France and University of Missouri

It has been a mixed bag for Tahane with the French youth teams in these past summers, her best effort numbers-wise at least, coming on hte global U17 stage during 2016 in Zaragoza. She didn’t play significant minutes with Missouri in her Freshman season,, but will be hoping to remind everyone of her talents in Sopron!

Savannah Wilkinson – Great Britain and Florida State University

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkvIu0MnTPZ/

Our only real Division B -bound player on this list, Wilkinson, who has just finished her Freshman year, will try to propel Great Britain to brighter things in Oradea. The British game is falling apart at the seams due to infighting and governance incompetence, so everybody needs a lift. The small forward can provide it and show why she was the Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL) Young Player of the Year a few years ago.

Eliza Pinzan – Italy and University of South Florida (committed)

Most followers of the women’s youth game will recall the role Pinzan played in Italy’s historic run to the Final of the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup during 2016 in Zaragoza. The Bulls have landed a smart player who will pull the strings for an Italy side capable of making a serious noise in Sopron.

Marie-Paule Foppossi – France and Syracuse

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXCfzgDIo_/

The all-action French star Fopossi red-shirted last season at Syracuse and will show all of her leadership qualities again for her country this summer. Last year, she top scored for her nation at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Udine and dropped 12 points per game at the 2017 edition of this U20 tourney.

Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi – France and Syracuse

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaPk8LTAPT6/

Another Syracuse European and another red-short like her compatriot above. The forward posted a stellar double-double of 12 points and as many rebounds per game at last year’s event in Matosinhos, when France could, and should have got a medal but blew it and came fourth. She could be All-Star Five material in Sopron if she repeats those numbers. She also has EuroCup Women court time under her belt.

Iris Junio – Spain and Arizona State (committed)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BksXct-nHi5/

She has had her injury problems and serious ones. But, showing great resilience, Junio is back on-song and Arizona State have secured themselves a big talent. One that rose to prominence in that famous game at U17 back in 2014 when Angela Salvadores almost single-handedly toppled USA in the Final. Junio was the other star of that team in Pilsen and will be hoping for better than the 6 and 8 placed finished she attained with Spain on her return last summer at U19 and U18.

Luize Septe – Latvia and University of South Florida (Committed)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf_XB_ZnZpI/

Yet another nice European pick-up for the Bulls and labelled probably rightly as a ‘5 star recruit’, the Latvian ace has impressed at several youth tournaments for her country. She has not only played in the European tournaments but also has a FIBA U17 and U19 Basketball World Cup on her resume too.

Ana Ramos- Portugal and University of San Diego

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bksn_sKldF_/

A former U16 European Championship for Women MVP, the playmaker’s hard-nosed approach will be essential if Portugal want to meet their immediate aim of securing Division A survival. I wouldn’t rule them out of pushing higher than that goal is this generation, led by the likes of Ramos and Beatriz Jordao play to their potential. The guard has just finished her second campaign at San Diego.

Follow me throughout the #FIBAU20Europe via @Basketmedia365

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Paul Nilsen lives and breathes women’s hoops. He’s is a freelance writer working for the sport’s world governing body FIBA where he pens a weekly ‘Women’s Basketball Worldwide Column’ - as well as providing daily content on major club competitions, international tournaments and the women’s youth game. He has an extensive network of contacts across the globe, including an array of elite play-callers and players. Also a qualified coach and referee, he is a big supporter of Blue Star Media and joined as a blogger during the fall of 2016.

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