Ezinne Kalu: D'Tigress star makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team
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Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

Ezinne Kalu: D'Tigress star makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team

Tosin Abayomi 19:15 - 11.08.2024

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

The Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in Paris 2024 saw a ton of amazing performances, and the greatest ones were chosen to form two teams.

One of the most important names among the top players of the competition was Ezinne Kalu, a guard for the D'Tigress senior women's basketball team of Nigeria.

For Nigeria in their historic campaign, Kalu was outstanding and now joins her coach Rena Wakama in winning an award.

Their achievement of being the first African team to play in the Olympic Quarterfinals was largely due to the point guard. Her averages for each game were 18.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 steals.

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.
Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

Julie Vanloo, a guard from Belgium, who averaged 14.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, joined her on the second team.

Satou Sabally, who averaged 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while playing for the team, contributed to Germany's historic victory.

In that thrilling one-point loss in the championship match, Valeriane Ayayi had to endure a bittersweet finale as France won silver.

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.
Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

Throughout the tournament, she led by example, averaging 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

Ezi Magbegor, who participated in Australia's Bronze Medal Game, contributed 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game on average for the team.

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.
Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

Rising Star award

Jade Melbourne, Australia's fearless playmaker, was selected as the Paris 2024 Rising Star after stepping up for the Opals and taking over as point guard.

Like the rest of her team, the 21-year-old had a rough start following their shocking loss to Nigeria.

But Melbourne recovered to make a fantastic Olympic debut, displaying amazing fortitude and poise.

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.
Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

DPOY

At the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in Paris 2024, Gabby Williams won the Best Defensive Player Award and was a major factor in France's silver medal finish.

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.
Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

MVP

A'ja Wilson of the USA had double cause to celebrate after winning MVP at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in Paris 2024, adding to her already impressive tally of Olympic gold medals.

She averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game while playing for the first team. She also shot 59.2 percent from the field.

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.
Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

First team

After averaging 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 56.7 percent, Breanna Stewart joined her Wilson in the All-Star Five.

Gabby Williams averaged 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, good for an All-Star Five spot.

Alanna Smith averaged 11.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game to help Australia win the bronze.

With an average of 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game, Emma Meesseman of Belgium completed the team.

Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.
Nigeria's D'Tigress star Ezinne Kalu makes Paris 2024 Olympic 2nd team.

Kalu ready for 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

Kalu after the D'Tigress Olympic exit took to social media to state that the team did well.

She then stated that preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles America is the goal.

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