Gabby Williams named FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 China TISSOT MVP
XI'AN (China) - Gabby Williams capped her historical run at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 China by taking home the TISSOT Most Valuable Player award after guiding France to an unbeaten run.
Williams tallied 21 points in France's 94-39 win over New Zealand. The forward averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and shot 60 percent from the three-point line over 3 games.
France close the book on a dominant #FIBAOQT and now have their eyes set on a home Olympic campaign 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/GgXKIghF29
— FIBA (@FIBA) February 11, 2024
Williams had a bit of a slow start to the tournament, scoring just 11 points on 4-9 field goal shooting against Puerto Rico. Against hosts China, however, Williams' true game shone through. She dropped 17 points on China as France defied expectations to cruise past the home team, 82-50.
Her elite performance shouldn't come as a surprise, though. After all, Williams was named Euroleague Women Final Four MVP in 2022.
FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 China All-Star Five
Williams was joined on the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament All-Star 5 by fellow French star Marine Johannes, Puerto Rico's Mya Hollingshed, and China's dynamic duo of Li Yueru and Li Meng.
Johannes averaged 14.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 three-pointers per game. Not surprisingly, she led the tournament with a total of 12 three-pointers made. Her finest performance was on the first day, when she hit 5 triples en route to 17 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists against Puerto Rico.
Hollingshed delivered a remarkable double-double performance, scoring 20 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and blocking 4 shots in the decisive victory over New Zealand, securing Puerto Rico's spot in the Olympic Games.
Li Yueru collected 15.3 points and a tournament-high 14.3 rebounds per game in helping China finish with a 2-1 record. She showed her star status by grabbing 23 rebounds on Day 3 against Puerto Rico. That was the most rebounds in a single WOQT game since 2008.
Li Meng was also outstanding all tournament long. She scored a tournament-high 19.3 points per game while also averaging 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 per contest. She saved her best for last by scoring 23 points against Puerto Rico on Day 3.
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