MEXICALI (MEXICO) Edir Ortiz (Puerto Rico) was named Most Valuable Player of the 2021 FIBA U17 CentroBasket Championship tournament leading an All Star Five who made memories that will last for a very long time.

Ortiz saved his best performance for the final firing in 28-points on10-19 shooting. His buckets were pivotal in Puerto Rico’s overtime win against Mexico earning them the gold medal and his defense was something Puerto Rico fans will talk about for a long time as he snagged 10-steals in the contest. Ortiz averaged 13.6-points per game in the tournament to go along with 5.8-rebounds and 2.4-assists. A high efficiency player, Ortiz averaged only 10 shots a game but when he took them they counted.

London Johnson - Jamaica

The tournaments leading scorer at 36-points per contest got things going in a hurry scoring 40 in each of his first two games versus Mexico and El Salvador. The 6-4 guard shot 56-percent from the field in five games and 87-percent form the free throw line. Slender in build, Johnson nonetheless was fearless in the lane drawing foul after foul averaging 14 free throw attempts per contest. Johnson’s all-around game gets forgotten when you see the gaudy offensive numbers, but he also averaged seven rebounds and four assists. As the tournament wore on – Johnson continued to make his team better by getting others involved helping Jamaica to finish sixth.

Santiago Camacho - Mexico

Camacho saved his best performance for Sunday’s final and all though the result was not what he wanted – his 35-point performance helped him win Most Valuable Camacho averaged 22.2-points per game, five rebounds and three assists to help Mexico reach the final and qualify for the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship. Camacho showed his experience throughout the tournament scoring 20-points or more three of the five contests including a double-double 20-point, 11-rebound effort in Group phase play versus the Dominican Republic.

When Mexico needed a bucket – the ball was in his hands. That was never more evident than in the final. Big shot after bog shot fell for Camacho connecting on 13-19 from the field, 5-6 from the three-point arc and a perfect 4-4 effort from the free throw line for a game high 35-points.

Victor Valdes - Mexico

Valdes was a steadying force for Mexico. His experience and basketball IQ were on full display in Mexicali. The 17-year-old, 6-5 forward did it all for the silver medalists averaging 14.4 -points per contest as well as 6.8 -rebounds and an impressive 9.8-assists. Valdes got everyone involved and helped his team improve as the tournament went on especially those coming off the bench setting them up in solid positions to score and gain confidence.

Edwin Daniel - Dominican Republic

You saw Edwin Daniel’s game grow each night in Mexicali. The 6-9 lefthanded forward put the ball on the floor effectively, showed skill with his right hand and was a force defensively. In helping the Dominican Republic win bronze and qualify for the 2022FIBA U18 Americas Championship, Daniel averaged 11.2-points per game and 14.8-rebounds along with three blocks. Daniel showed his dominance in the semi-finals versus Puerto Rico with a monster 28-point, 17-rebound effort. Daniel posted double-digit rebounding totals in four of the five games he played and in three of those pulled down 17 or more boards.

FIBA