LEON - IRAPUATO (Mexico) - With the curtain about to be raised for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Mexico, there's not better moment than to roll out the highly anticipated first volume of the Power Rankings for the event.
The list has been compiled taking into account roster announcements, performances at last year's respective FIBA U16 Continental Championships, plus the all-important draw for the tournament, including the absolutely essential competition system / bracket.
So without any further delay, here's our countdown from 16-1.
#16 Mexico
FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2023: 7th FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 34th
They will have passionate home support, but it's going to be tough for the host nation having only managed a 7th place finish last year at the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship and only managed one victory against Dominican Republic.
However, they were super competitive against Puerto Rico and Brazil, while they are also arguably in the best overall group for this competition. The influence of Sofia Acuna is massive and she will have to hit a high gear to form a one-two punch with Mariant Castillo.
#15 Puerto Rico
FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2023: 4th FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 22nd
It's the first of this year's debutantes and certainly Puerto Rico will relish the challenge of a first step on this global stage. They will be underdogs but can be buoyed by their run to the Semi-Finals in Yucatan last year, fuelled by Desirek Nieves who made the All-Star Five.
They will also require a lot of production from the likes of Adriana Robles and Jaida Guerra to have any chance of getting a group phase victory. But that looks very unlikely with a really rough draw which has given them podium challengers USA and Australia in their pool.
#14 Chinese Taipei
FIBA U16 Women's Asia Championship 2023: 4th FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 28th
The quick and intense style of Chinese Taipei should see them get a win or two on the board in the tournament as they also get ready to appear for the first time. Especially as they managed to beat Korea and were only just squeezed out by New Zealand last year in Amman en-route to the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship.
They will need to shoot the ball better than they did in the Jordanian capital and especially with France and Canada in their group. But they will feel Egypt presents a chance of a success, with Yu Chen Peng and Chen Chia Shan Pan likely to be the main architects.
#13 Argentina
FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2023: 3rd FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 30th
There were celebrations last year when Argentina beat Puerto Rico to take the bronze medal in Yucatan. That momentum should see them pushing to improve their record at this event, even if the Quarter-Finals are probably beyond them. Finland certainly represents the most likely opportunity of getting an early win.
They do have a very talented baller in Milagros Morell who made the All-Star Five at U16, so she will continue to lead. However, last year there were not enough cameos to support their marquee baller and the supporting cast must step up as a lack of firepower is a concern.
#12 Egypt
FIBA U16 Women's African Championship 2023: 2nd FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 20th
Last year was a painful experience for this group of players after they were beaten in the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship tile game by just a solitary point as Mali were crowned champions. That could act as real motivation to make amends at this tournament.
At #FIBAU19 last year, Egypt made people sit up and take notice and a proud basketball nation will crave the same. There is a chance it could happen as well, because they have three very capable performers in Injy Amr Elghayesh, Malah Elhemaly and Khadiga Abouelghait.
#11 New Zealand
FIBA U16 Women's Asia Championship 2023: 3rd FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 31st
There was a lot to love about their bronze medal last year in Amman as they picked off both China and then Chinese Taipei to land the third podium step. They will also be happy with their group for this competition too, since it's rare that you can justifiably have confidence in every game at this level, but Mali, Italy and Mexico will hold very few fears at all.
Senior Tall Ferns baller Pahlyss Hokianga is a great prospect and she could have been contemplating sneaking onto the Paris 2024 roster had they not just fallen short of a ticket. Meanwhile look out for Bailey Flavell who will also carry a big chunk of responsibility.
#10 Mali
FIBA U16 Women's Africa Championship 2023: 1st FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 12th
What a decade it has been for Mali at both this event and at the FIBA U19 level as they continue to fly the flag for African hoops and make amazing strides. Trying to live up to that spectacular and historic Semi-Finals spot at the last edition looks a very tall order and absolutely unlikely.
While they celebrated another title at FIBA U16 level last year, they don't have as much depth as those who went before - or a powerhouse quite like Sika Kone for example. But they do have MVP Assitan Diarisso who was only 14-years old when she won the accolade. There should also be important contributions by Tenin Diarra and Suzane Fatoumate Dembele.
#9 Croatia
FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023: 5th FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 11th
Celebrating a historic first ever ticket after their exploits at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023 , it will be a proud moment when Croatia take their maiden steps at the event. Their hopes of making the last eight will be boosted by the fact they should probably glide past Puerto Rico, but facing USA and Australia is far from ideal.
They should be able to rely on a trio of super young ballers in Olivia Vukuosa, Lena Bilic and Hana Arnautovic. Between them they carried their team to 5th place in Izmir, with Vukuosa and Bilic leading the tournament in efficiency which is exceptional for two teammates.
#8 Finland
FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023: 4th FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 10th
The final first-timer to be taking to a FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup court, Finland see themselves having a real go at making a splash on their first appearance. The history is assured and they will make more if they get it done against Argentina in the group phase - which on paper at least, looks like giving them a real chance for a first ever win.
All eyes will be on the all-action Nicole Ogun who is one half of a twin turbo with Tiia Talonen and the duo will be top of everyone's scouting reports. But Finland showed last year they are set on playing real nice team basketball and that could see them sneak a Quarter-Final place.
#7 Italy
FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023: 3rd FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 15th
Italy should be fired up for making the top eight in the competition off the back of their impressive bronze medal last year in Izmir and the fact they will compete in a group containing Mexico, Mali and New Zealand. It will still be tricky, but surely they will top that pool of teams.
Set to be the leaders again are last year's All-Star Five representative Emma Giacchetti, along with Francesca Baldassarre and Isabel Mohamud Mohamed Hassan. Collectively they still took the last podium step despite not shooting 25 percent from downtown, so must improve.
#6 Japan
FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship 2023: 2nd FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 9th
There will be a big streak of positivity running through the Japan camp after their excellent run in Amman that saw them pushing eventual champions Australia close for the gold medal before ultimately having to settle for silver. They blew everyone away except the Sapphires.
In a very interesting group with Argentina, Finland and Spain, they have a big chance to push for top place if they play well. They have so many good options, with the picks being Kokona Abe, An Kanazawa and Otoha Goto who all lit it up in 2023.
#5 Spain
FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023: 2nd FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 4th
Don't be surrpised if Spain tear up this ranking and make a big move towards the medal mix in this competition - especially after only just being squeezed out by France last year as they tried to take the U16 title. They will still be favorites to finish in pole position in Group A.
However, there is an argument that they don't have one or two big standout stars and it will be the trademark Spanish teamwork, energy, defense and ball movement that gets it done. Almost everyone on the roster should contribute in points, but the abasence of Martina Vizmanos Iglesis the best performer in Izmir and taking All-Star Five status will be a blow.
#4 Canada
FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2023: 2nd FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 3rd
Maybe this could be a generous one considering that Canada will probably again be heavily reliant, as they were in Yucatan last year, on wing forward Cearah Parchment and the similarly impactful Savannah Swords and Deniya Prawl.
Taking silver, they didn't have any big interventions outside of the trio, but should still be able to make a deep run to the latter stages. They will likely battle it out with France for supremacy in Group D during the first phase of the competition.
#3 Australia
FIBA U16 Women's Asia Championship 2023: 1st FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 5th
The FIBA Women's U16 Asian Championship winners yet again, there is no stopping Australia at the Continental level, but it it's at the global level where this odten dominant nation is truly judged. At face value, a podium place will be the target and could be attained, although everyone will have a much better visualisation of that when facing USA in the group phase.
Those starring in the gold and green are likely to be Ruby Perkins, Sienna Lehmann and Coco Hodges. Australia's main power is likely to be their ability to score at the hoop and in the paint. If they also put together some form from long-range, they will be tough to slow down.
#2 France
FIBA U16 Women's Eurpopean Championship 2023: 1st FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 2nd
After winning the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2023, France will now try to reach another title game and few would back against them taking a medla of some description. They have skill, athleticism and power on their roster and should glide past Egypt and Chinese Taipei in the first phase, with Canada likely to be their main rival.
After that, the quality of last year's MVP Ainhoa Risacher should really come into focus, along with the skill and strength under the hoop of Lilyana Fontcha. There is also likely to be some nice cameo displays from Lana Bentoumi and Emma Broliron.
#1 USA
FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2023: 1st FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, Girls: 1st
Having won five of the six editions of this competition since it began back in 2010, the reigning champions will be red-hot favorites to do it all again when the action gets underway. They will be dripping in talent as always, although whether they will be able to have things all their own way might be more about how their rivals perform.
Jerzy Robinson and McKenna Woliczko both impressed last year in Yucatan, the former taking MVP and the latter making the All-Star Five. You can also expect Lanie Grant, Jacy Abii and Trinity Jones to shine en-route to probably silverware. But nothing is guaranteed - just ask the USA team who finished third in 2016.
*The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author and expert panel.
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