US based duo Reynolds and Koranga voted best players at Afrobasket

Kenya lioness Small Forward Victoria Reynolds after being named the MVP and Best Small Forward at the Afrobasket Zone V Qualifiers.[Courtesy]

Kenya Lioness star performers Victoria Reynolds and Felmas Koranga were on Saturday named among the best five players of the 2021 Fiba AfroBasket Zone Five qualifiers played at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Both based in the United States of America, the duo have been instrumental in all the Lioness wins at the Afrobasket.

Reynolds, debuting for Kenya at the zonal qualifiers, was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after helping the Lioness qualify for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Afrobasket to be held in Cameroon come September.

In addition to that, Reynolds who finished as Kenya’s top scorer with 25 points in the finals match win over Egypt was named the Best Small Forward of the tournament.

Kenya Lioness Forward Felmas Koranga after being named the Best Power Forward at the Afrobasket Zone V Qualifiers.[Courtesy]

On the other hand, Koranga was named the Best Forward of the tournament after playing an instrumental role in helping Kenya claim the Eastern and Northern Africa basketball bragging rights.

Koranga, featuring for Troy University in the US finished as Kenya’s highest scorer with 88 points as Reynolds followed with 83 points.

Kenya qualified for the 2021 Afrobasket Championship after defeating pre-tournament favourites Egypt 99-83 in the final.

The win saw Kenya avenged their group match lose to the Egyptians (107-106) to seal a second consecutive appearance at the continental showpiece.

Reynolds finished with a game high 25 points as Koranga dropped 24 points, her highest at the zonal qualifiers.

Mercy Wanyama was the third-highest scorer for Kenya with 17 points as Melisa and Natalie Akinyi scored 15 and 12 points respectively. Rose Ouma and Brenda Wasuda also got to the scoresheet with four and two points respectively.

Afrobasket Zone V qualifiers Best Five Players of the tournament.[Courtesy]

Kenya will now make their sixth appearance at the Afrobasket after previously racing 2019, 2013, 2007, 1997 and 1986.

The best two teams at the AfroBasket 2021 will remain in contention for a spot in the 2022 Fiba Women's Basketball World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Fair play award went to South Sudan who debuted at the qualifiers this year as Henderson of Rwanda was voted Best shooting guard. El Gedawy took home the best center award.