For those based Stateside, there are plenty of reasons to keep abreast of FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017, which is undoubtedly the most competitive and best quality international tournament from top to bottom. Even more so after being cut from 20 to 16 teams for this edition – one that will take place in Prague, Czech Republic between June 16-25.

There will be plenty of NCAA representation from those who have recently graduated, will be returning in the Fall or have signed to respective Colleges. Exclusively for Blue Star, here is the rundown of the main players you can check out (subject to them being confirmed and making the final cut in the next 10 days).

Leticia Romero (Florida State and Spain)

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Opportunity knocks in deafening fashion for Romero in coming years, with many of the riches in the Spanish backcourt the wrong side of 30-years-old. That gives a great incentive to the playmaker to show that she has the ability to pick up the baton and increase her minutes and influence on the team. She has the speed and quickness of thought to make the grade at the highest level, something which she will evidence when she makes the transition from NCAA basketball to the pro-game. Slick in the open court and oozing class, she was recently listed for The Wade Trophy. She then had the thrill of being included in the 2017 WNBA Draft, where she was picked up in the Second Round (16th pick overall) by the Connecticut Sun. Romero will play in EuroLeague Women next year at ZVVZ USK Prague in place of the legendary Laia Palau. Twitter: @LeticiaRomero95 Instagram: leticiaromero95

Maria Conde (Florida State and Spain)

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After an eye-catching youth career when Conde posted some very productive numbers and showed flashes of huge potential, it could be time to now make the transition to the senior ranks. A gold medal winner last summer at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship and the leading scorer for the champions, this competition was wedged in between a freshman and sophomore season at Florida State University. She has plenty of natural talent combined with a good basketball IQ and temperament. Her versatility and leadership qualities also bode well for the future and she remains a player on the rise and one to look out for beyond this year’s Final Round. She practiced many sports before basketball including equestrian, tennis, taekwondo and swimming. There is a chance she might not get the nod but could just squeeze in. Twitter: @MariaaConde Instagram: mariaaconde97

Kitija Laksa (South Florida and Latvia)

Laksa is only 21-years-old but is about to record a third EuroBasket Women Final Round slot. She was barely 17-years-old at the 2013 edition as one of the top two youngest active players at the event. The South Florida player had no involvement in the Qualifiers because of her NCAA commitments, but she has showed her value as a unanimous American Athletic Conference first team selection. She has learned from older brother Martins, who helped Valmiera/Ordo win their first ever Latvian championship in 2016. She also once won the Junkanoo Jam tournament MVP award, averaging 34 points per game, in a Bimini island tournament that was relocated from the Bahamas to Bimini after Hurricane Matthew. Twitter: @KitijaL Instagram: kitijalaksa

Kate Kreslina (Fordham and Latvia)

After a superb youth career with the Latvian national teams, Kreslina was all ready to go at Fordham University in the NCAA, but sustained that ACL injury which caused her to push the pause button. But, she has had plenty of people off their seats with her shooting ability, since making a recovery and now she is back on track after being named a member of the Atlantic-10 Conference rookie team. It remains to be seen if she will be rewarded with a first-ever slot for the Final Round, but she has done plenty to impress during her delayed Freshman Year. If Latvia are looking to the future, she may well secure a place at the end of the bench. She was the youngest Latvia national team player to score 13 points, in her third official game when she completed the feat against Italy in 2014.

Paula Strautmane (Quinnipac and Latvia)

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As Latvia look to turn a new page, there may be a spot on the roster for Strautmane who has been impressing in her Sophomore year at Quinnipiac where she helped them reach the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ for the first time in school history, as the second Latvian player ever to do so. She has been rolling with some good numbers and in between her first two years on the other side of the Atlantic, she posted a terrific FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship where she only just fell short of a fine tournament double-double. Leading her nation on the glass and combining with her younger sister Digna, it is a combination that may be seen at senior level – if not this time around then at some point in the close future. Twitter: @PStrautmane Instagram: paulastrautmane

Digna Strautmane (Syracuse and Latvia)

There is a real buzz about the seemingly limitless potential of Strautmane to become a future senior team star after some epic performances in the last few years at youth level. She posted her first double-double in the Latvia-Estonia league at the age of just 14. The forward has been dominant in a number of youth tournaments, showing her impressive strength and mental toughness by also excelling when squaring up against older players. Her exploits have even caught the eye Stateside and she is committed to play for Syracuse in the NCAA later this year. For now though, she is hoping that she will get handed a first-ever EuroBasket Women Final Round slot. She was in the mix for the Qualifiers but didn’t get handed any minutes. However, her high level of technical skill and undoubted level of talent mean that despite the fact she is only 18-years-old, she may still prove an irresistible choice when it comes to picking the final roster. Twitter: dignucis Instagram: dignucis8

Mariella Fasoula (Boston College / Vanderbilt and Greece)

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One of the most exciting teenage frontcourt players in Europe and destined to become a major senior team star, Fasoula has been lighting it up with Boston College and is now heading to Vanderbilt. Having finished her Sophomore year, it’s two impressive campaigns which have come off the back of a stellar youth career and a senior debut in the 2015 Final Round when she was just 17-years-old. A towering presence, her potential is still huge. Her love for the game came via the desire to follow in the footsteps of her father Panagiotis Fasoulas, who was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. Instagram: mariellafasoula

Anna Niki Stamolamprou (Robert Morris and Greece)

A Pioneer and a Colonial in Greece🏀
@NECsports @RMUWBasketball @SHUBigRed pic.twitter.com/AFRjCnB89u

— Anna-Niki Stamolamprou (@StamolaNiki) May 31, 2017

Having always played against older and physically stronger players during her youth career in a Greek vest, Stamolamprou was nicely prepared for her NCAA career with Robert Morris. She could barely have done more to impress after becoming one of only two players in the school’s history to register 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 steals and 100 assists. She signed off as the NEC Player of the Year and is now ready to take her skills into the pro-game. The 21-year-old guard is happy to pull the strings or slide across and play the two position because of her shooting prowess. Her combo skills could see her becoming a long-term favourite, although to date, she hasn’t really been given the chance she craves. That could all be about to change. Twitter: @StamolaNiki Instagram: An_Satomola4

Eleanna Christinaki (University of Maryland and Greece)

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The small forward earned a promotion to senior team duties just in time for the 2015 FIBA EuroBasket Women and that came after an excellent time at youth level. She only featured in one of the games, but this time around, she is surely destined to play an expanded role after contributing nicely in her eventful NCAA career. She had been destined to go to Dayton, but ended up at the University of Florida and last season made the switch to the University of Maryland. She has put up big numbers Stateside and her scoring ability from the wings could prove valuable. She is likely to demonstrate a big improvement since the last Final Round. Christinaki can create music on the court and this is undeniable, but she can also create music also of the floor as she plays the piano and has had lessons for many years since she was a kid. Instagram: echristinaki21

Elisa Penna (Wake Forest and Italy)

It has been an eye-catch Sophomore year for Penna who posted some seriously impressive numbers at Wake Forest where she has played more than 30 minutes per game. Her consistency has been excellent and at one point last season she scored at least 14 points in 11 straight games which captured her plenty of attention. It is not a surprise to those who have enjoyed her performances for her country at youth level and now she seems set for a senior tournament debut. Italy will certainly benefit from her mobility and shooting range which extends beyond the three-point line. It’s a very competitive roster so there is a chance she might get overlooked, but is in a good place to land the senior tournament debut she craves. Instagram: elisa.penna

Amadea Szamosi (Duquesne and Hungary)

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One of the most gifted players of her generation and having not yet featured at a major tournament for her country off the back of a fantastic youth career, her time to shine may have arrived. With four impressive NCAA years behind her with Duquesne, where she has shown her great mobility getting down the floor, an impactful wing span and all-round threat under the basket, she has the tools necessary to step up this level. With a lack of depth in the paint for Hungary, even a lack of experience and not taking part in the Qualifiers should not stop her being given an opportunity. Much will hinge on how she has performed in preparation and the friendly games, but opportunity knocks for a player who has the chance to be a long-term frontcourt star for her nation. Instagram: amadea15

Keep it locked to @basketmedia365 and basketmedia365 on Instagram for more throughout the summer and the big FIBA events.