Cierra Dillard opens up on AWBL title, MVP award

ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - American-Senegalese guard Cierra Dillard helped her team Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) of Egypt to claim back-to-back African club titles as the side won the inaugural Africa Women’s Basketball League (AWBL) hosted on their backyard.

The 27-year-old averaged 23 points per game, shooting 53.9 percent on field-goals and 40 percent on three-point shoots, finishing as the second best scorer after WNBA star Tiffany Mitchell, who featured for Rwanda Energy Group (REG), to be crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP).

"AFRICA TOOK ME AS ONE OF THEIR OWN AND I AM BLESSED TO BE REPRESENTING THE SENEGALESE NATIONAL TEAM AND EGYPT AT CLUB LEVEL. BEFORE I CAME HERE I DIDN'T REALISE HOW PASSIONATE THE CONTINENT IS ABOUT THE GAME AND HOW MUCH ENERGY THE FANS BRING."- Cierra Dillard

This was the second time the 2023 Women's AfroBasket silver medalist with the Senegalese national team was representing ASC in a continental competition, having made her debut with the Mohamed Adelrahman-led side in the 2022 Champions Cup for Women where they became the first Egyptian team to win a continental trophy.

"We had an incredible team," Dillard recalled, adding: "Every player was a star and they were all amazing, and my MVP award is dedicated to them. To win in Egypt in the first AWBL was an amazing feeling. 

"We have a group of selfless players who want to see the other win and that translated on the court where we played and won as a unit. We have good back court players, led by Reem Moussa, snippers like Destiny Pitts, amazing forwards led by the captain Hagar Amer and the defense led by Yacine Diop."

Cierra Dillard

"With the chemistry we have, I always told coach he had two starting fives and 12 sixth-woman of the year. He did an amazing job leading the team," an elated Dillard explained after being crowned best player of the 10-team championship.

Dillard was selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round of the 2019 WNBA draft before waiving her. She was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Sparks but after appearing in one pre-season game for the Sparks, she was once again waived. 

Cierra Dillard in action at 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket

While her WNBA career did not take off, she has made a name for herself since featuring for ASC in 2022, after which she was naturalised and featured for the Senegalese national team, helping them to silver in the last edition of the biennial Women’s AfroBasket. 

"Africa took me as one of their own and I am blessed to be representing the Senegalese national team and Egypt at club level," Dillard offered.

Cierra Dillard exhibits her 2023 AWBL MVP award 

She continued: "Before I came here I didn't realise how passionate the continent is about the game and how much energy the fans bring. Playing in Mozambique, Rwanda (AfroBasket) and now in Egypt has given me a different perspective of the the game. 

"The love and support I have received from all the countries have been amazing. The players bring the same energy and fighting spirit in each match. The continent is on the rise matters basketball," she added.

Dillard was joined on the team of the tournament by REG's Destiney Promise Philoxy, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) duo of Victoria Reynolds and the tournament's best rebounder Madina Okot with ASC skipper Hagar Amer completing the list. 

FIBA