USA leader Perry crowned TISSOT MVP of U19 World Cup 2019

HERAKLION (Greece) - Reggie Perry received the TISSOT Most Valuable Player award after leading United States to the title at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 with a 93-79 victory over Mali.

Perry collected 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the Final as United States completed a road to redemption in reclaiming the U19 World Cup crown after getting bounced in the Semi-Finals of the event in 2017 in Cairo. Perry averaged 13.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks in the tournament. 

"I want to thank Coach Weber and the entire coaching staff for giving me this opportunity, trusting in me and picking me for this team. It was a great experience, coming and playing with a great group of guys," Perry said. "I feel like I have put in a lot of work. I just love that I got the opportunity to get that (the MVP)."

Perry was joined in the All-Star Five by teammate Tyrese Haliburton, Oumar Ballo and Siriman Kanoute of Mali and Joel Ayayi of France.

Haliburton picked up 6 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in the Final and averaged 7.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, a tournament-best 6.9 assists, 2.3 steals and just 1.1 turnovers in 25 minutes. Ballo guided Mali to the Final of the tournament and Africa's best-ever showing in a FIBA global competition.

Ballo, who was named to the All-Star Five of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018, averaged 17.6 points while leading the competition with 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocks to go with 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals per game. Kanoute, who won the MVP of the FIBA U16 African Championship 2017 and FIBA U18 African Championship 2018, collected 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals.

Ayayi helped France to third place as he tallied 20.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals.  

FIBA