Ndour Is 2013 Young Women’s Player of the Year

Munich, Feb 06, 2014: Astou Ndour has become the second Spanish woman in history to be named as the FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year. Following on from Alba Torrens in 2009, Ndour has taken out the 2013 edition of the award, beating out Valeriane Ayayi of France and Artemis Spanou of Greece.

Undeterred by narrowly missing out on a spot on the Spanish national team roster that won gold at EuroBasket Women in France in June, Ndour still got the chance to play her role in the summer of Spanish women’s basketball.

The 19-year-old, appearing at her second U20 European Championship Women, was an unstoppable force in the paint in Samsun, Turkey, finishing the tournament with a close to double-double average of 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds an outing, leading her countrywomen to gold and, at a personal level, earning herself tournament MVP honours as well as a place on the All-Tournament team.

There was then a direct flight to Lithuania to catch to continue her summer feats in Spanish colours, spearheading her nation’s efforts at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women. As a sign of her consistency, the center posted similar figures to those of a week previous with a 17.8-point, 9.4-rebound average as Spain finished in fourth spot, earning herself another All-Tournament team spot.

“2013 marked a golden summer for Spanish women’s basketball,” remarked FIBA Europe Acting President Cyriel Coomans, continuing, “Now, a player such as Astou gives Spanish fans reassurance that their national women’s team should continue to prosper in the years to come.”

“The athleticism of Ndour was a joy to witness in the summer of 2013, having personally seen her play in Samsun,” stated FIBA Europe Secretary General Kamil Novak. “I am in no doubt that she is fully deserved of this award.”

FIBA Europe will announce in due course when and where the awards will be presented.

The announcement of Ndour as FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year marks the first of four announcements to come this week.

Later on Thursday, the 2013 FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year will be announced whilst the 2013 FIBA Europe Women’s Player of the Year and 2013 FIBA Europe Men’s Player of the Year will follow on Friday.

2013 FIBA EUROPE YOUNG WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINAL RESULT

*the accumulated ranking reflects a combination of the fan and expert voting. —- Fibaeurope