Thunder Jam
Years ago
Under 17 Sapphires win World Cup
The Sapphires defeated Italy 62-38 in Saturday's FIBA U17 women’s world championship final to become the first team outside of the United State to win the tournament.
Australia beat the US in the semi-finals on Friday. Previously, no American team had ever been defeated in the men’s or women’s under 17s world championships.
The Australian women had never finished higher than fifth in the tournament, but looked to be among the world’s best at 2016’s event in Zaragoza, Spain.
The Sapphires’ starting centre, Ezi Magbegor, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player; averaging an impressive 12.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, while shooting 54 percent from the field.
Magbegor was named to the tournament’s All-Star five, and she was joined by two of her teammates: the team’s captain, jasmine Simmons, along with star point guard, Monique Conti.
Great job girls,sensational effort!
