August 05, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s basketball sensation, Amy Okonkwo, has been awarded the Tissot Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her exceptional role in guiding the Nigerian female basketball team, D’Tigress to their fourth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship.
The 26-year-old displayed unmatched skills, leading the All-Tournament team with an impressive average of 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during the unbeaten run in Kigali. Her outstanding performance not only set a new record for Nigeria but also marked her as the sole player to achieve two double-doubles in the campaign while propelling the D’Tigress to a thrilling 84-74 victory against Senegal in the grand finale.
Senegal’s Cierra Dillard also left a mark on the tournament, proving to be a vital asset for her team during crucial moments. Despite facing challenges, Dillard stepped up when it mattered most, contributing a total of 124 points throughout the competition. Her remarkable performance, including a stunning 29-point contribution off the bench in a quarter-final clash, significantly influenced Senegal’s path to the final.
Another standout player, Jannon Otto from Uganda, proved her talent, earning the top scorer award with a tournament-high 128 points. Additionally, Sika Kone of Mali and Tamara Seda from Mozambique displayed exceptional skills, making significant contributions to their respective teams’ performances.
In the end, Nigeria’s relentless drive earned D’Tigress their position at the top of the standings, clinching the title ahead of Senegal and Mali, who came in second and third place, respectively. Rwanda, Mozambique, Cameroon, Uganda, Guinea, Egypt, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, and DR Congo followed in that order, making the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket a competitive event throughout.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
