U19 World Cup - Kayleigh Heckel

[From Canada]

FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 Official Website | FIBA Basketball

The Official site of FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 : Get live stats, game schedule, standings, news, video highlights, team rosters & player profiles

www.fiba.basketball

The U19 Women's World Cup kicks off on Saturday July 12, it's a good opportunity to see Kayleigh Heckel and many of tomorrow's future stars play. The tournament is FIBA's most competitive age-group event. Unfortunately, this year will be a little disappointing in terms of the presence of the best athletes eligible to take part. Several countries have announced their final line-ups. Let's go with the top 5 positions in the FIBA girls' world ranking (attachment).

Starting with the USA (#1), we already know that Sarah Strong, Joyce Edwards (1st U19 World Cup 2023 all-star team) and Kennedy Smith will be absent. I wouldn't want to overlook the absence of McKenna Woliczko either; she was selected last year on the U17 World Cup 1st All-Star Team, finished first for the USA in rebounding and efficiency statistics.

Absent for Spain (#2) will be Iyana Martin (MVP U19 World Cup 2023), Awa Fam (2nd U19 World Cup All-Star 2023) and Sara Okeke (1st U17 World Cup All-Star 2024). It's worth mentioning that Okeke is currently taking part in the European U18 Championship, as Europe has a U16 and U18 championship every year.

For Canada (#3), the absentees will be Savannah Swords (2nd U17 2024 World Cup all-star team), Deniya Prawl, who was Canada's top player for rebounds and assists at the U17 2023 World Cup, and Taliyah Henderson, ESPN HoopGurlz's #27 prospect in the 2025 class, who was not present at the selections and will be playing for North Carolina next season. But there's good news for Canada: Syla Swords will be present. For the Swords family, we'd probably hoped that the two sisters would be on the same Canadian team for the first time. The youngest sister is still recovering from an injury sustained last December, so I think caution has been the order of the day as far as she's concerned. Two new players will be making their official debuts: Avery Howell, who represented Canada at the Nike Hoop Summit 2024 and played two exhibition games with the Senior team, will be part of the squad. Milla Holloway, starting PG for Michigan, will wear the Canadian uniform for the first time.

For France (#4), I've only noticed one absence: Justine Loubens, who had a good tournament at last year's U17 World Cup, France has chosen to play her at the U18 European Championship, which ends on July 13. Finally, for Australia (#5), their team will have to cope with the absence of Saffron Shiels and Lara Somfai, who took part in the last Nike Hoop Summit and were selected on the first U18 Asia Cup 2024 team. As the official line-ups have just been posted on the official FIBA website, the absence of China's Zhang Ziyu 7'3, who was chosen MVP at last year's Asia Cup U18 with 35 PPG and 12.8 RPG..., should be noted. The competition website is attached.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

FIBA World Ranking for Girls presented by NIKE | FIBA Basketball

Explore the latest FIBA World Ranking for Girls powered by Nike. Find out where your favorite team stands in the global basketball ranking.

www.fiba.basketball

 

[YKCornelius]

Interesting that Ecuador doesn't have a FIBA Girls program. No wonder Blanca opted to go to Italy to further her development.

Blanca didn't play for the Ecuadorian Women's National Team last year, so I wonder if she has options on what nation she can play for....

 

[Boreifs]

Heckel is the only college student on the team. There are also very few seniors; the majority of the team just finished their junior year. Even one sophomore! Has to be the youngest team ever to compete on the U19 level.

 

[darrell]

Heckel is the only college student on the team. There are also very few seniors; the majority of the team just finished their junior year. Even one sophomore! Has to be the youngest team ever to compete on the U19 level.

Not true. Both Jordan Lee (Texas) and Zania Socka-Ngueman (UCLA/Indiana) are on the team as well.

 

[From Canada]

Heckel is the only college student on the team. There are also very few seniors; the majority of the team just finished their junior year. Even one sophomore! Has to be the youngest team ever to compete on the U19 level.

You're right when you say that this year's team is young. Athletes taking part in this championship must have been born on or after January 1, 2006. The team has 5 players born in 2006, 3 in 2007 and 4 in 2008. This means that the 4 players born in 2008, Robinson, Hall, Harpring and Douglas, will be eligible for next year's U18 Tournament of the Americas and to return for the 2027 U19 World Cup. For the other 7 players, this will be their last appearance in FIBA age-group competitions.

 

[From Canada]

Interesting that Ecuador doesn't have a FIBA Girls program. No wonder Blanca opted to go to Italy to further her development.

Blanca didn't play for the Ecuadorian Women's National Team last year, so I wonder if she has options on what nation she can play for....

I don't think Blanca can play for another country. I haven't found the FIBA regulations on the subject. She's already worn Ecuador's uniform in international competitions and if it's the same thing as FIFA (football) she's linked to that country. Maybe if Ecuador granted her a waiver it would be possible, but I'm not sure. Last year, Ecuador took part in the South American championship which ran from August 31 to September 7, 2024, by which time she was probably already in class in Italy.

2024 South American Women's Basketball Championship - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Boreifs]

Not true. Both Jordan Lee (Texas) and Zania Socka-Ngueman (UCLA/Indiana) are both on the team as well.

My mistake. Thx for the correction.

 

[YKCornelius]

I don't think Blanca can play for another country. I haven't found the FIBA regulations on the subject. She's already worn Ecuador's uniform in international competitions and if it's the same thing as FIFA (football) she's linked to that country. Maybe if Ecuador granted her a waiver it would be possible, but I'm not sure. Last year, Ecuador took part in the South American championship which ran from August 31 to September 7, 2024, by which time she was probably already in class in Italy.

2024 South American Women's Basketball Championship - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

From Canada, thanks for your post. I did a deep dive into the South America FIBA tournaments and found that Blanca played for Ecuador on the U15 team in Oct/Nov of 2018 (U15 South America Championship), the U16 team eight months later in June of 2019 (U16 Women's Americas Championship), and then on the Ecuador women's national team during the South American Championship in Aug of 2022.

I agree with you that she is probably locked into playing for Ecuador going forward. Thanks again.

 

[From Canada]

First game today at 2:15pm - Eastern Time

 

[From Canada]

Visa problem for Mali

FIBA statement on the non-participation of Mali at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2025

Statement from FIBA regarding the competition in Brno, Czechia.

www.fiba.basketball

It looks like the World Cup will be played with one less team. This should not affect the USA and Canada, who are in Pools A and B, which meet in the Round of 16 (1/8 finals). The team finishing in first place in Pool D would then receive a bye to continue the tournament.

 

[Husky fanatic]

First half is done and UConn POI’s sparked a rather lethargic first 5 minutes. Hall leading the way. Bjorn next best POI with Jerzy and Harpring looking ok. Kayleigh let herself be trapped a few times but fortunately a foul was called.

 

[BullDawg]

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Great game for watching some high school kids and college kids playing together.

With games like this I find myself looking at intangibles or details that won’t show in a box score.

Duke got a prize in Skinner. She is going to be a great college player. Great size for a PG and can defend.

I caught myself watching Greenway multiple times down the floor. She will be a dynamic PG for Kenny Brooks.

Betts is so good. If she gets a good pass into the post she knows exactly what move she wants to make and reads the defense. If she gets a bad or tipped pass into the lane she composes herself and figures out quickly and efficiently what she wants to do with the ball.

You can really spot the players that are team oriented versus the one(s) that are only concerned with their own scoring. One player took a shot or drove into the lane almost everytime she got that the ball. Could have been by design or what she was instructed, i dont know, but was noticeable.

Last note:: super happy Heckel will be a Husky!!! She is fun to watch and can be a menace on defense.

 

[PvP]

K9 was so mature as the PG. She had her head up while she drove the ball from the backcourt, she was definitely pass first but took her shot when it was there and scored a respectable 12 points on 80% shooting. She was fast covering her man on defense and a tight defender overall. Very satisfying to think we have her for the next three years.....

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[TheGOAT23]

30 fouls by Korea and the officials missed half of them, intentionally. Team USA did a great job of playing through the contacts. Not sure what was Korea’s objective, but it sure wasn’t basketball. Is it me or does Sienna looks more polished at this age than Lauren? The tandem of Harpring and Greenway wrecked havoc and put the clamps down on Korea’s guards.

 

[triaddukefan]

Great game for watching some high school kids and college kids playing together.

With games like this I find myself looking at intangibles or details that won’t show in a box score.

Duke got a prize in Skinner. She is going to be a great college player. Great size for a PG and can defend.

 

[From Canada]

Yesterday's Results - Top Performers - Summary - Today Game #2 vs Hungary at 2:15 PM Eastern Time


Next Gen Hoops on Instagram: "Best girls of Day 1 ⭐️ #FIBAU19"

Day 1: Special moment for Nigeria, record for USA and a new 'Swat Queen'

There were plenty of talking points on opening day in Brno as Nigeria broke new ground, USA came out blazing to make history and the all-time blocks record was matched.

www.fiba.basketball

LIVE - Hungary v USA | FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 | Group Phase

 

[Bone Dog]

Is it me or does Sienna looks more polished at this age than Lauren?

Sienna looks to have quicker feet than Lauren did at this age. Besides that, her game looks similarly limited. She’s smaller, but if she works on expanding her shooting range she could develop quickly once she gets to UCLA. If she gets a reliable elbow jumper she could be a major force. That’s a similar trajectory to other great players, like Iriafen and Edwards.

 

[JellyBean]

First game today at 2:15pm - Eastern Time

Thanks for sharing the game with us. Two things jump out from. 1). A lot of folks especially the so-called experts here in the states like to say "The American kids are missing out on skill development because AAU is hurting American players." I disagree greatly with that argument because in a 1v1 setting in a game up to 11 or 13, I will put my money on an American player. 2). The conversation over the last 10-20 years is "European teams are catching up with American teams". Again, I disagree with that comment as well. We are still a decade or two ahead of so many nations in basketball talent and skills.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Sienna looks to have quicker feet than Lauren did at this age. Besides that, her game looks similarly limited. She’s smaller, but if she works on expanding her shooting range she could develop quickly once she gets to UCLA. If she gets a reliable elbow jumper she could be a major force. That’s a similar trajectory to other great players, like Iriafen and Edwards.

Don't think Betts is going to need a jumper to be a force.

 

[sno-cat]

While Heckel looks impressive, she appears to be nowhere close to KK in speed and quickness - for what it's worth.
Betts looks unstoppable, but she is not playing against a UConn defense!

 

[BobbyJ]

Sienna looks to have quicker feet than Lauren did at this age. Besides that, her game looks similarly limited. She’s smaller, but if she works on expanding her shooting range she could develop quickly once she gets to UCLA. If she gets a reliable elbow jumper she could be a major force. That’s a similar trajectory to other great players, like Iriafen and Edwards.

To say the least. Offensively the fundamentals and footwork are poor. Repeatedly catches in the paint, looks down and brings the ball down to start dribbling and shuffling like she's playing in her driveway, and either gets tied up or an undersized defender gives her a left handed layup which is her only shot. Will struggle against any kind of collegiate size and a long way from being any kind of force.

 

[NW-MW]

While Heckel looks impressive, she appears to be nowhere close to KK in speed and quickness - for what it's worth.
Betts looks unstoppable, but she is not playing against a UConn defense!

I see KK and Kayleigh playing the same position but serving different roles, both are quick PG's with the ability to drive to the basket but I see Kayleigh as the better shooter/passer in the half court while KK is a better finisher at the rim and better in transition.

 

[PacoSwede]

To say the least. Offensively the fundamentals and footwork are poor. Repeatedly catches in the paint, looks down and brings the ball down to start dribbling and shuffling like she's playing in her driveway, and either gets tied up or an undersized defender gives her a left handed layup which is her only shot. Will struggle against any kind of collegiate size and a long way from being any kind of force.

and she is a black hole. doubled-, even triple-teamed and she doesn't respond well.
many on the team seem unorganized. k9 clearly had a purpose; the team needed her savvy. some played selfishly. in particular, the highly touted #6 has the temperament of a ball hog -- not in the DT way; in the arike way.