KIGALI (Rwanda) - Maimouna Traore has already given a glimpse of her skills at FIBA youth events and now she has added to her exciting potential by being crowned MVP of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa Camp in Kigali, Rwanda.
Traore landed the award after excelling amongst the 30 high-school-age girls from 21 different countries who participated at the 21st edition of the prestigious camp.
Taking place between August 23 and 26, it was the first time that FIBA and the NBA's global basketball development and community outreach program has been held in East Africa.
The attendees reaped the rewards of being coached by the likes of the legendary USA baller Tamika Catchings and Charlotte Hornets Head Coach, Charles Lee.
Traore was on fire at the event and had already made positive waves when wearing national team colors at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 and FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket 2024.
There was a double celebration for the exciting Malek Elhemaly of Egypt, who not only scooped Defensive MVP honors, but also racked up the 3-point champion accolade as well.
Her ability to take two individual awards reflects her impressive showings at FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket 2023, as well as at the U17 Worlds and U18 Continental level last year.
Meanwhile Alexandra Djonkou of Cameroon received recognition as Most Improved Player and Liamisha Aboo of South Africa was the recipient of the distinguished Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award
Camp MVP Maimouna Traore led the All-Star lineup which also included fellow award winner Malek Elhemaly.
She was also joined by no fewer than three of her Mali compatriots in the shape of Lala Toure, Couda Keita who poured in almost 13 points per game at the last edition of the U17 Worlds, as well as Assitan Diarisso who was MVP of the FIBA U16 Women's AfroBasket 2023.
There were also places for Fatoumata Sall of Senegal, Tahina Rasata-Andriamasy of Madagascar and Ines Bouboul Morocco. FIBA