The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2019 champions merited their success and two of their players along with a finalist and one player from both semi-finalists. Point guard Ezinne Kalu inspired Nigeria with 13 points, 3.2 assists, three steals and 2.6 rebounds per game giving her an efficiency of 12 per game and this individual brilliance earned her the Most Valuable Player Award and a place in the tournament five.
Kalu narrowly edged out her teammate Evelyn Akhator for the MVP Award, as the centre, who played a crucial role in helping Nigeria’s quest to defend their title, averaged 11 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Nevertheless, Akhator made it to the Tournament Five.
Joining on the podium is Astou Traore of Senegal whose individual contribution to defining Senegal as a title favourite throughout the tournament meant that she fully deserved her place at the high table. Traore, who is no stranger to the Tournament Five having featured at the 2017 edition when she was also named MVP, averaged 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Read more