Meesseman named TISSOT MVP of Qualifying Tournament in Washington DC
SANTO DOMINGO (Dominican Republic) - Belgium forward Emma Meesseman can celebrate again, as she has been crowned MVP of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament Washington DC after she helped her team claim a spot in Sydney.
In three qualifying games, Meesseman did a little bit of everything and averaged 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game, while shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 100 percent from three-point (5-of-5).
She recorded a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double against USA and scored 20 points in the team's win against Russia to seal Belgium's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup spot.
Belgian star @emmameesseman had 20pts on 9/15 shooting and added 4 assists as her country qualified for the #FIBAWWC in Sydney, Australia 👊🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/FXYUg2GPDa
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) February 14, 2022
The 28-year-old also finished with a tournament-high efficiency rating average of 25.7.
Ariel Atkins makes the list, as she was one of the driving forces for undefeated USA, putting up 14 points and 3 rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting from the field (5-of-5 from inside the arc) in the team's final win against Puerto Rico.
In two games, the 25-year-old guard averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.
Atkins is joined in the All-Star Five by her teammate in the backcourt Kelsey Plum, who had a solid first game off the bench against Belgium where she led USA in scoring with 16 points, while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point.
In two qualifying games, the 27-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 1.5 rebounds. 4.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game.
Russia qualified for their first World Cup since 2010 and it was on the shoulders of team captain Raisa Musina.
The 23-year-old had a dominating performance against Puerto Rico to clinch their spot, as she recorded 20 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.
In her two games, Musina averaged 13.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block per game.
Despite going 0-3 in the tournament and missing out on the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Puerto Rico has a rising star in Arella Guirantes, who made quite the impression in her debut with the national team and claims the final spot on the All-Star Five.
The 24-year-old averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, including a 25-point, 5-rebound performance against Belgium.
FIBA
