ZARAGOZA (Spain) - The epic double-double of Ezi Magbegor was at the heart of ZVVZ USK Praha producing their best EuroLeague Women display of the season as they dumped out holders Fenerbahce and rode their way to Sunday’s title game. As she stepped off court having recorded a magnificent 16 points and 16 rebounds to fuel a memorable 91-71 upset, there were audible chants of ‘MVP, MVP’ from the Spanish fans watching.
Many of them no doubt remembering that Magbegor loves balling in the city.
Back at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in 2016, she led Australia to a shock first-ever title at the event - playing the starring role and indeed, crowned as MVP. Maybe there is another MVP memory to be made almost a decade later wearing club colours with Praha when they fight for this year's title on Sunday.
Yet despite her majestic contribution against Fenerbahce, Magbegor was refusing to accept the plaudits and insisted it was her colleagues that deserved to share the spotlight. She stated: "I am so proud of the team. Obviously we lost last year in the Semi-Finals and the team did the year before as well, so it's nice to get over the line and this is credit to the team.
"Obviously Spain is a beautiful country and it's always nice to come to Zaragoza, but like I said it was definitely a team effort and it was an MVP performance from all of us.
"But playing in a neutral venue, it was great to have fans on my side," smiled the 25-year-old.
USK Praha will take on the winner of Valencia Basket Club and CIMSA CBK Mersin on Sunday, with the title-decider set to tip off at 20:00 CET. FIBA