SOPRON (Hungary) - Mai Yamamoto was the difference-maker for Japan at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Sopron was rewarded with  TISSOT Most Valuable Player honors.

The standout figure for her country and one of the rising stars of the global women's game, Yamamoto  attained a performance efficiency average of 19.0 after amassing 17.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists per outing.  That was helped by shooting an excellent 62 percent from the field.

She finished as the tournament's leading scorer, sinking 15 points in the opening day success against Spain, then the same tally in defeat against Hungary. However it was her outstanding display in the pivotal 86-82 last day triumph against Canada that stood out. She was the TCL Player of the Game after a super 21 point show.

Yamamoto was joined in the All-Star Five by her Japan teammate Saori Miyazaki, along with Kayla Alexander of Canada, Raquel Carrera of Spain and Dorka Juhasz of Hungary.

Miyazaki was really efficient with 13.0 points and 6.0 assists. Her duo with Yamamoto was such a force for Japan in the backcourt.

Alexander was the foundation for Canada to advance to Paris as she posted a jaw-dropping double-double of 16.0 points and 13.7 boards per game. She finished as the best baller on the glass in the tournament. 

Carrera collected 11.7 points per game and shot 50 percent from the floor. She also pulled down an average of 4.3 rebounds too.

Finally, it was a bitter-sweet experience for Juhasz after Hungary were edged out of an Olympics place in agonizing fashion. However, the center did star for the hosts with 11.7 points and 8.0 boards per game.

FIBA