MONDEVILLE (2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - It's been a while since France possessed an exciting young shooting force, but rising star Marine Johannes could be ready to plug that gap.
The 21-year-old burst onto the scene last year during the first FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifiers window with a scintillating 15-point debut against Netherlands and hasn't looked back since.
Shooting 50 percent from the field through her first three eye-catching games at senior level, her next task is to retain her place for the 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) in Nantes and then capture what would be a dream ticket to the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The emergence and development of Johannes is essential for Les Bleues's backcourt, which would be weakened immeasurably, if and when, Celine Dumerc hangs up her playing shoes.
The biggest feature is that as a genuine combo guard, Johannes is able to handle the ball as well as put points in the board - meaning she could just hold the key and be an 'X-factor' for France in not only qualifying, but making a deep run in Rio.
For many years, France have benefitted from a wonderful frontcourt rotation which has been fed incessantly and with pinpoint accuracy by Dumerc - but the ingredient which has not always been in the recipe has been a depth of shooting talent alongside their ace point guard.
Johannes is clearly rated by France head coach Valerie Garnier and so much so, that Tango Bourges Basket have penned a three-year deal to take the versatile guard from Mondeville in what will be a fascinating step up at club level too.
"Marine is a young player whose offensive force is about not only creating opportunities for herself but also for her team-mates," enthused Garnier, who is going to have a big say in how she evolves in coming years for club and country.
"Her young age also suggest a strong margin for growth and she will be able to confront the highest level of European play with our team."
Meanwhile, Bourges President Pierre Fosset is in no doubt that Johannes is going to be a big star for club and country and declared: "We feel she has the potential to be the future star of [French] basketball."
So if as expected, she retains her place on the French roster for Nantes, all eyes will be on Johannes in what could be one of many major tournaments for her country.
FIBA
