BILBAO (Spain) - Darrun Hilliard steered Surne Bilbao Basket to FIBA Europe Cup glory against PAOK BC; earning him deserved Finals MVP honors.
The shooting guard averaged 17.5 points and 3.5 assists, while shooting 45 percent from the field across the two legs of an enthralling Finals.
He bagged 19 points in the first leg in Thessaloniki, which ended with a 79-73 loss, but showed the heart of a champion in the second leg.
Hilliard would hit three triples and chip in with 16 points along with 5 assists to guide Bilbao to an 89-74 triumph, which would lead to FIBA Europe Cup glory.
"This is crazy, I'm so emotional," Hilliard said.
"It's hard to come by titles; it's hard to be in finals. It's not easy. It doesn't happen every year, so I'm just grateful. I am just grateful for this club, for this team, coaches, medical staff, everybody, man. Like, it's just amazing."
Hilliard averaged 8.5 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in the FIBA Europe Cup this season, prior to the Finals.
FIBA