The 2024 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Mexico promises an exciting showcase of young talent from around the globe. Among the 16 teams vying for the title, Mali and Egypt stand out as the sole representatives of the African continent, each harbouring aspirations of making a deep tournament run.
Last Updated on
July 12, 2024
Ayo Biyibi
Staff Writer
The 2024 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Mexico promises to be a thrilling showpiece displaying the best of young basketball talent from around the globe. Among the 16 participating teams, Mali and Egypt will be the two African nations, representing our great continent, vying for the prestigious title.
The tournament's format features four pools of four teams, with each nation playing the others in a round-robin style during the Group Phase over the first three days.
Group A: Japan, Spain, Finland, Argentina
Group B: Mali, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy
Group C: USA, Croatia, Puerto Rico, Australia
Group D: Egypt, Canada, France, Chinese Taipei
Mali earned their place in the 2024 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup by winning the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship in 2023, narrowly defeating Egypt 57-56 in the final.
Mali have maintained a consistent presence in the U17 Women's World Cup, with appearances in six previous tournaments (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022) in 14 years. However, their best finish came recently in 2022 when they achieved fourth place, reaching the semi-finals, the highest placement for any African nation in this competition.
Historic feats have marked Mali's journey, since their debut on the World Cup stage fourteen year ago. In 2012, they claimed the first-ever win for an African nation in the competition, beating Brazil 58-51. They continued to break barriers, including a notable victory over Italy in 2014, becoming the first-ever African nation to beat a European team. Eight years later, they followed up with their remarkable fourth-place finish in 2022.
While Mali will miss the presence of 2022 NBA Draft pick Sika Kone, who now plays for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA, the team will be led by emerging talents like FIBA U16 Women's African Championship 2023 MVP Assitan Diarisso, with the help of Tenin Diarra, and Suzane Fatoumate Dembele.
Ranked 8th in FIBA's U17 Women's Basketball World Cup Top 20 Prospects List, Diarisso, at just 14 years old, showcased her potential by leading Mali to victory in the 2023 FIBA U16 Women's African Championship, averaging 23 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
This year, the talent combo guard is expected to be a formidable force on the court, following the footsteps of Mali's impressive lineage of young basketball talents, such as 2022 WNBA Draft pick Sika Kone and 20-year-old Liga Femenina Endesa star Maimouna Haidara.
Ivette Bomba, Aminata Samake, Oumou Kadidia Ouattara, Couda Keita, Tenin Diarra, Awa Bathe, Salimata Camara, Mariam Samake, Assitan Diarisso, Koura Cheick Samake, Hatoumata Singare, Suzane Fatoumata Dembele, Maimouna Traore, Assan Bagnine Mariko, Kadidia Sacko, Nana Salif NDiaye.
Egypt secured their spot in the 2024 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup by reaching the final of the 2023 FIBA U16 Women's African Championship, where they narrowly lost to Mali. This is Egypt's third appearance at this level, with their best finish being 11th in 2022.
Egypt had a mixed campaign in the 2022 U17 Women's World Cup. They started strong with a win against South Korea but suffered disheartening defeats against Spain, Canada, and Germany. In the classification games, they secured victories against Mexico and New Zealand.
Egypt's World Cup push will be led by Malah Elhemaly and supported by Injy Amr Elghayesh and Khadiga Abouelghait, with the team's strengths lying in its balanced three-headed attack.
Elhemaly, ranked 19th on FIBA's U17 Women's Basketball World Cup Top 20 Prospects List, is a crucial asset for Egypt. Celebrated for her efficiency and rebounding capabilities, she excelled at the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship, where she averaged an impressive double-double with 11.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. As a key player in Egypt's formidable three-pronged offensive strategy, her performance during the World Cup will be instrumental in driving the team's success.
Khadiga Abouelghait, Hana Elbaz, Joudy Elbaz, Haya Alhalawany, Yasmin Ahmed, Hala Elwakil, Renad Ali, Nadine Ghanaga, Hana Elgoly, Joudy Elgohary, Malak Elhemaly, Mariam Elgendy, Sadil Hadhouda, Mariam Elshenawy, Joudi Elsayed.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
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