Career: Faenza (Italy-A1, 1995-2000), Schio (Italy-A1, 2000-03), Faenza (Italy-A1, 2003-08), Venezia (Italy-A1 2008-09)

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After missing EuroBasket Women 2007 due to trying to make it in the WNBA, Ballardini is now almost carrying the national team on her back to make up for her absence last time after an astonishing array of performances during qualifying. Always considered to be the most talented and imaginative player in the squad, you can now throw leadership into the mix as fears over her volatility seem to have been resigned to the past. As a player she has pretty much everything in her repertoire at both ends of the floor, helped by being able to play a variety of positions from guard to small forward. She has comprehensively imposed herself on the big stage to emerge as a possible star of the tournament after claiming 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals during qualification while always capable of winning games with her trademark defence as well. A true shining light in EuroLeague Women for Venezia last season, again with over 13 points per game, she is at the peak of her form and very much a beacon of the new found confidence within the Italian women's game. Expect her to remain very much the playmaker and heartbeat of this team with the success or otherwise of Italy resting squarely on her more than capable shoulders.