Australia’s Ezi Magbegor wins TISSOT MVP honors
BELEM (Brazil) - Ezi Magbegor completed her dream week after being named TISSOT Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belém.
BELEM (Brazil) - Ezi Magbegor completed her dream week after being named TISSOT Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belém.
The 24-year-old averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game while leading Australia to an undefeated record and a qualification to the upcoming Olympic Games. She shot 63.6 percent from the field and finished with an efficiency of 17.7 (fifth in the tournament).
The forward got the Opals started on the right path with an 18-point, 7-rebound, and 4-block performance on Thursday against Brazil, setting the tone for what ended up being an extremely well-rounded performance.
Magbegor was joined in the All-Star Five by teammate Bec Allen, Kamilla Cardoso of Brazil, Yvonne Anderson of Serbia, and Leonie Fiebich of Germany.
Allen averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across her 3 games. The 31-year-old small forward shot 56.5 percent from the field and 7-11 from beyond the arc (best of the tournament) through Australia’s undefeated run.
Anderson was the tournament’s leading scorer after averaging 19.3 points across her 3 games. The 33-year-old shot 50 percent from the field and 80 percent at the free-throw line.
The veteran point guard also led the event in steals (3.0 per game), while finishing third in assists (3.7) and 12th in rebounds (4.3 rebounds).
Crowd favorite Cardoso had an extremely productive individual showing in what was otherwise a disappointing outcome for the host nation.
The center averaged 15.3 points, 11.0 rebounds per game (tied for the tournament lead), and 1.7 steals while shooting 53.3 percent from the field for the best efficiency rating of the WOQT (20.7).
Fiebich was rock-solid throughout the event and a key cog in the German machine. She averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks.
The 24-year-old shooting guard scored a game-high 22 points on Sunday’s win to clinch the historic first-ever Olympic Games appearance for her country.
FIBA