2017 FIBA U19 Women's World Cup

[carlo]

FIBA 12th U19 World Cup will be held 22-30 July 2017 in Udine & Cividale del Friuli, Italy.

Official Site

Groups composition:

A - China, Mali, USA, Italy
B - Puerto Rico, Russia, Egypt, Spain
C - Canada, Latvia, France, Korea
D - Hungary, Australia, Japan, Americas TBA*

* to be announced later on, due to Brazil Federation suspension by Fiba.

http://www.fiba.com/world/u19women/2017/news/fiba-u19-women-s-basketball-world-cup-2017-groups-confirmed

USA has won the last six WC.

[reptilia]

Top 3 IMO

USA
Russia
Australia

Just like last time...

[carlo]

Top 3 IMO

USA
Russia
Australia

Just like last time...

Russia among the Top 3 if Mariya Vadeeva plays. She's age eligible but looks fully engaged with Sr NT. Euro champ France could add to the favorites as well, imo.

[carlo]

Japan preliminary roster:

http://www.fiba.com/world/u19women/2017/news/japan-getting-ready-for-fiba-u19-womens-basketball-world-cup-return

Japan could aim at 3rd or 2nd place in its group, as Australia only looks out of reach..

[carlo]

A 19-player preliminary roster that will participate in May 11-14 training camp was announced by Basketball Australia:

http://www.basketball.net.au/australian-under-19-gems-squad-named-ahead-of-2017-fiba-world-champs/

As many as 11 members from the 2016 U17 World champion team are included, plus some "older" players such as Chloe Bibby, Chantel Horvat, Anneli Maley, Maddison Rocci and Morgan Yaeger.

[reptilia]

Abby Cubillo 5'3 99
Monique Conti 5'5 99
Maddison Rocci 5'6 98
Jazmin Shelley 5'9 00
Miela Goodchild 5'9 00
Morgan Yaegar 5'9 98
Cassidy McLean 5'11 99
Jasmine Simmons 5'11 99
Kiera Rowe 6'0 99
Samantha Simons 6'1 00
Chantel Horvat 6'1 98
Chloe Bibby 6'1 98
Anneli Maley 6'2 98
Mackenzie Hoycard 6'2 98
Rebecca Pizzey 6'3 99
Zitina Aokuso 6'3 98
Chelsea Brook 6'3 98
Lara Mcspadden 6'4 99
Eziyoda Magbegor 6'4 99

[carlo]

USA Basketball announced a 33-player list invited to May 18-21 trials:

https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2017/05/wu19-trials-athletes.aspx

Big names missing from 2016 U18 Americas champs, MVP Lauren Cox and Rellah Boothe. Also missing Amber Ramirez and Valerie Higgins. That makes eight players back from U18 team.

[reptilia]

nice squad, another gold I think.
Russia might be a handful in the front court though.

[sinobball]

Four-nation tournaments in China:

China U19 70-66 USA All-Stars
China U19 81-51 University of Regina (Canada)
China U19 89-46 Lithuania U20
China U19 82-42 University of Regina (Canada)

More info here: http://netscoutsbasketball.com/category/blog/

China U19 won those games without their best player Li Yueru (200cm, 1999), now with the Senior NT. They still have 205cm Han Xu (b. 1999).

Li Yueru btw started in China senior team's first exhibition game, 100-63 blowout win against Senegal. She was obviously nervous and fumbled at least 3 layups, but was otherwise active on both ends and received many touches. She's not ready to play in the senior level yet, but has some serious potential, at least for China. She is tall with treetrunk legs, quite mobile and agile for that weight, and seems to understand the game. Just needs more experience. Considering the Asian Cup and U19 World Cup run almost concurrently Li Yueru will definitely play in U19 worlds.

[reptilia]

China have a shot at a medal if they can get there backcourt working.
No real quality backup to Jiaqi Wang though.

[carlo]

Well, these are good results from China U19, playing older teams. USA All-Stars are mainly made of former NCAA players, though not high level. Best known are two from UCLA Nicole Kornet and Kari Korver as well as former South Florida's Alisia Jenkins who is now active in Spain.

[carlo]

French team preliminary roster of 18 announced:

http://www.ffbb.com/1ere-etape-au-temple-sur-lot

Only six players from the 2016 U18 Euro champs are included, among them Tima Pouye and Kadiatou Sissoko.

U18 Euro MVP Alexia Chartereau seems to be engaged with Sr NT, Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi, Marie-Paule Foppossi and Ana Tadic are in the U20 rosters. Maybe some of them could join later the U19 WC team.

[reptilia]

Eurobasket is in 40 odd days time and u19 WC is at least 70 days away. Plenty of time to rejoin the WC squad you would think.

[carlo]

Australian prelim selection cut to 15 players:

Zitina Aokuso (1998)
Chloe Bibby (1998)
Chelsea Brook (1998)
Monique Conti (1999)
Abby Cubillo (1999)
Chantel Horvat (1998)
Ezi Magbegor (1999)
Anneli Maley (1998)
Lara McSpadden (1999)
Rebecca Pizzey (1999)
Maddison Rocci (1998)
Kiera Rowe (1999)
Jazmin Shelley (2000)
Samantha Simons (2000)
Morgan Yaeger (1998)

Somewhat surprising, former U17 2016 WC captain and all-selection Jasmine Simmons is out.

http://basketball.net.au/australian-under-19-gems-squad-trimmed-ahead-of-selection-camp/

[reptilia]

I believe simmons is still recovering from injury.