Amy Okonkwo has played a huge role in helping Nigeria clinch the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket (their fourth in a row), and, as a result, the 26-year-old was named the TISSOT MVP of the tournament.
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Okonkwo headlined the All-Tournament team alongside Cierra Dillard (Senegal), Jannon Otto (Uganda), Sika Kone (Mali) and Tamara Seda (Mozambique).
Throughout Nigeria’s unbeaten run (5-0) in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Okonkwo emerged was the heart -and-soul of the D’Tigresses, averaging a team-high of 17.2 points while contributing 8.2 rebounds per game.
Along the way, Okonkwo became the only Nigeria to register two double-doubles (Murjanatu Musa registered one).
She experienced some ups and downs throughout the tournament, but when the Lionesses needed her most in the knock-out stages, Dillard delivered.
For instance, after a two-point performance against Egypt, coach Moustapha Gaye benched her, but Gaye’s decision fuelled Dillard who responded with 29 points off the bench in an 80-77 Quarter-Finals win over Cameroon.
And when Senegal met Mali in the Semi-Finals, Dillard felt it was the right time to shine again. She finished 33 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists as Senegal halted Mali’s unbeaten run with the 85-75 Semi-Finals victory.
At the end of tournament, Dillard finished with a total of 124 points from six games.
Dillard led Senegal in scoring with 20.7 points and 5.5 assists per game while spending a team-high of 33.7 minutes per game.
AWARDS:
Top rebounder: Tamara Seda;
Best Three-Pointer: Taiwo Olaluwatomi
Best Scorer: Jannon Otto
Fair Play: Rwanda
FINAL STANDINGS:
1. Nigeria
2. Senegal
3. Mali
4. Rwanda
5. Mozambique
6. Cameroon
7. Uganda
8. Guinea
9. Egypt
10. Angola
11. Cote d’Ivoire
12. DR Congo
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