Magbegor shines at Opals qualify for Olympics

Ezi Magbegor was named MVP. (AAP Image/James Gourley)

Craigieburn’s Ezi Magbegor completed her dream week after being named most valuable player at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belém.

The Opals star averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and three blocks per game while leading Australia to an undefeated record and a qualification to the upcoming Olympic Games.

She shot 63.6 percent from the field.

The forward got the Opals started on the right path with an 18 point, seven rebound, and four block performance on Thursday against Brazil, setting the tone for what ended up being an extremely well-rounded performance.

Magbegor was joined in the all-star five by teammate Bec Allen, Brazil’s Kamilla Cardoso. Serbia’s Yvonne Anderson and Germany’s Leonie Fiebich.

Allen averaged 11.3 points, three rebounds and two assists in her three games. The 31-year-old small forward shot 56.5 percent from the field and 7-11 from beyond the arc through Australia’s undefeated run.

Anderson was the tournament’s leading scorer after averaging 19.3 points in her three games. The 33-year-old shot 50 percent from the field and 80 percent at the free-throw line.

Crowd favourite Cardoso had an extremely productive individual showing in what was otherwise a disappointing outcome for the host nation.

The centre averaged 15.3 points, 11.0 rebounds per game and 1.7 steals, while shooting 53.3 percent from the field.

Fiebich was rock-solid throughout the event and a key cog in the German machine. She averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks.