Seven rising stars who made a splash to open the Qualifiers
MUNICH (Germany) – A number of emerging players showed their potential while wearing their respective national team jerseys during the first window of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
Here’s just a selection of those born 2001 or later that caught the eye.
Janelle Salaun – France
FORWARD
Birth Date: September 5, 2001
Height: 6ft 2in / 1.88 cm
Statistics: 16.0 EFF; 16.5 PPG; 72.2% FG; 2.5 RPG; 2.0 SPG
So deliciously mobile for her position and and with enormous scope to evolve even further, these are exciting times for France’s MVP of the first window. Salaun showcased her skills against Latvia and Ireland so nicely. She racked up more than 16.5 points per game and it was no coincidence she shot the lights out – it was because of her super smart shot selection. She’s also surely put herself more firmly into the frame for Paris 2024 with this level of performance.
Awak Kuier – Finland
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: August 19, 2001
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.94 cm
Statistics: 26.0 EFF; 22.0 PPG; 10.5 RPG; 4.5 BPG
To call Kuier a rising star can probably come across as something of a backhanded compliment since she is already a bonafide team leader and the centerpiece for the Susiladies. But she is still young needs and that must be flagged. While on the flip side, this throws more light on her awesome athletic ability. Not least, her shot blocking which is outstanding and she had more swats than any other player – as well as a window double-double in points and boards.
Faith Ehi Etute – Luxembourg
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: October 24, 2005
Height: 6ft 0in / 1.83 cm
Statistics: 27.5 EFF; 18.5 PPG; 13.0 RPG; 3.5 SPG; 2.5 APG
After another sensational summer at youth level, Etute has continued the great work from both this and also the senior displays she offered in the last Qualifiers. But this first 2025 window for the 2-0 Luxembourg really was something else. Her jaw-dropping production in so many areas and especially in the win against Bosnia and Herzegovina when she made Top Performers, has locked her in as one of the most exciting young players in Europe.
Angela Dugalic – Serbia
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: December 29, 2001
Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm
Statistics: 10.5 EFF; 12.0 PPG; 3.5 RPG
The forward already has a FIBA Women’s EuroBasket winners’ medal from two years ago, on top of an appearance at the Tokyo Olympics, so certainly knows the requirements at the top level. But after missing both the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 and FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023, it was good to see her contributing positively again in a Serbia vest. Back in the mix, she played her role nicely in both of Serbia’s classy victories.
Lin Schwarz – Switzerland
FORWARD
Birth Date: November 21, 2003
Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86 cm
Statistics: 16.5 EFF; 11.5 PPG; 10.5 RPG; 1.5 BPG
Even if the forward is likely to be considered as the least known of the rising stars on this list, it should not detract from the teenager’s excellent displays for Switzerland. She accumulated an eye-catching double-double in the window and managed to still shine despite two losses for her team. Schwarz has shown she can potentially be the backbone for the national team for many years with her assured performances and is a leader in the making.
Matilde Villa – Italy
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: December 9, 2004
Height: 5ft 7in / 1.70 cm
Statistics: 14.0 EFF; 13.5 PPG; 3.5 APG; 3.0 RPG
An amazing scorer and creator for her age, Villa oozes confidence and has the kind of star quality even at just 18-years-old that ticks the box marked future superstar. Already growing in influence and with a FIBA Women’s EuroBasket debut banked this past summer, her efficient and mature displays in this recent window indicate that she’s getting ever more ready to be a clutch performer for Italy for the next 15 years. That in itself is hugely exciting.
Marine Fauthoux – France
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: January 23, 2001
Height: 5ft 9in / 1.76 cm
Statistics: 15.5. EFF; 10.5 PPG; 5.5 APG; 2.5 RPG
Fauthoux is another baller who’s presence on this list can be questioned as she is already an amazing leader ahead of her time. Just 22 years-old and she boasts two FIBA Women’s EuroBasket medals, an Olympic medal and a FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup appearance. In this latest window, her classy and composed displays have once again shown why she’ll be an integral player for France at Paris 2024 and then at FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025.
FIBA
