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.
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).
CIERRA DILLARD
Dillard was a breath of fresh air for Senegal.
She experienced some ups and downs throughout the tournament, but when the Lionesses needed her most in the knock-out stages, Dillard delivered.
Cierra Dillard
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.
JANNON OTTO
There is no question about Otto’s contribution to Uganda’s campaign.
Jannon Otto
The 26-year-old was to go-to player for the Gazelles, and it came as no surprise that Otto won the top scorer award of the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
In six Uganda games, Otto accrued to a tournament-high 128 points.
In addition to her 21.3 points per game, Otto averaged 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists in 35 minutes per game.
SIKA KONE
Sika Kone missed Mali’s opening game, but she made instant impact in her debut and never stopped for the remaining four games, averaging 12.5 points per contest.
TAMARA SEDA
Seda turned out as Mozambique’s most productive player in the tournament averaging 12 points and 11.8 points rebounds per game.
Tamara Seda
Although Angolan Cristina Matiquite averaged 13 rebounds per game, Seda played two more games than Matiquite.
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
FIBA