Carley Mijovic won't turn seventeen until August, but she will take to the court against Nigeria on Thursday with the eyes of the basketball world upon her.
She is touted as the next big thing in Australian women's basketball.
"I've been told I'm the next Lauren Jackson, but I don't really pay much attention to that," she told SBS.
"It's good to be put up as an idol like that, but it's just me, so I have to work hard to get to that place. It's not just going to come, I have to work for it".
The under-19 world championships are where Liz Cambage sprung to fame, the Victorian recently selected as pick two in the WNBA draft.
Three time champions the USA are the team to beat, but the Australians won't be overawed.
"I think we'll do well, we have a good variety of players with smalls and bigs, girls with strength and speed, so I think if we put it all together as one, we'll do well."
Carley is from a Serbian sporting family. Her Aunt, Zorica, played in the WNBL for many years, while her father also played professionally before moving to Australia in the 1970s.
"It's something that I always wanted to do. I did as best I could and went as far as I could, so to see my niece do that and achieve so much, I think it's just great." she said.
Carley says her dream is to play for the Opals - alongside Jackson and Cambage - at the Olympic Games.
