Lee Juyeong crowned MVP; banners All-Star Five of Lee Chaehyung, Amini, Kawashima, Yang

TEHRAN (Iran) - Lee Juyeong capped off a sterling campaign by earning Most Valuable Player honors of the FIBA U18 Asian Championship 2022.

The 18-year-old's coronation took place right after he powered Korea to a pulsating come-from-behind 77-73 victory over Japan in the Final to rule the tournament and end the country's 22-year wait of winning a gold medal.

He finished with 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in truly an MVP-worthy performance that saw him deliver in the clutch.

Lee ended the competition as its top scorer with 23.2 points on a 42.4-percent clip from the floor, alongside 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals.

His best scoring outing took place in the Semi-Finals, where he unloaded 29 points to lead his side to an 89-85 win over China to exact vengeance.

By winning MVP, Lee banners the tourney's All-Star Five, together with teammate Lee Chae Hyung, Iran's very own Mohammad Amini, former U16 MVP Yuto Kawashima of Japan, and China's Yang Hansen.

Chae Hyung was deservingly rewarded of the nod by bringing his brand of defense in the cagefest, which saw him rack up 10 steals in two different games, one of which was part of just the second triple-double in Asian U18 since 2014.

He normed 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 6.6 steals as he led Korea with an efficiency rating of 19.6 points across five games.

Amini, meanwhile, starred for the hosts with a double-double average of 19.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, together with 3.8 assists and a steal.

He flirted with a triple-double to help Iran finish fifth, producing 19 markers, 10 boards, and 9 dimes in their 89-72 win over the Philippines.

Kawashima, for his part, was undeniably the young Akatsuki Japan's leader with figures of 15.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals. He was also his team's second most efficient player with a rating of 15.2 an outing.

Ultimately, Yang, who stands 2.16 M (7'1") at 17 years of age, was a major reason behind China's bronze-medal finish with norms of 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and a tournament-best 3.6 blocks.

Yang also led the tournament in efficiency rating with 23.2.

FIBA