Satoransky leaves no doubt, collects TISSOT MVP

VICTORIA (Canada) - Tomas Satoransky didn't need a big game in the Final. He had the MVP sewed up before tip-off.

But he was a key for his team once again in the big one, putting up 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in leading Czech Republic past Greece, 97-72,  and into the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Satoransky, the team's best player and captain, did a little of everything for the Czechs during the four-game tournament, averaging 16 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He also created the highlight of the week with his last-second step-back bank shot over Canada's Luguentz Dort that sent the Czechs to the tournament title game.

The 29-year-old was an easy choice for the TISSOT MVP.

"It doesn't matter how I play individually," a humble Satoransky said after the game. "Obviously it's nice, but we came here just to qualify for the Olympics."

Satoransky led the Czechs in scoring, assists and minutes played. But his impact went beyond the box score.

"He's a great leader, he's our captain, and the energy he provides for us, you can't put some type of notion on that," teammate Blake Schilb said after Czech Republic's Semi-Final win over Canada. "It's something that you need on every team."

Satoransky called qualifying for the Olympics his "biggest dream" and will surely be counted on once again to lead the charge when the Czechs get to Tokyo.

FIBA