This story is just in and so congratulations are just going out from Ball in Europe to Alba Torrens, who has taken the first of FIBA’s four annual “player of the year” awards, taking the 2009 Young Women’s Player of the Year. Finishing behind Torrens in the voting were, in order, Louice Halvarrson, Jelena Milovanovic and Gintare Petronyte.
Official FIBA press release follows the break.
(FIBA Europe) – FIBA Europe announced on Monday that Alba Torrens of Spain has been chosen 2009 Young Women’s Player of the Year.
The 1.92-meter guard averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in helping to lead her country to a bronze medal at EuroBasket Women 2009 in Latvia. She also competed at the U20 European Championship Women, where she took home a silver medal while leading the team in scoring and assists.
Torrens edged out Louice Halvarrson of Sweden and Jelena Milovanovic of Serbia for the honor. 2008 winner Gintare Petronyte of Lithuania finished fourth.
“Alba is a very exciting player and her performance at EuroBasket Women last year says a lot of good things about the future of women’s basketball, not only in Spain but all over Europe,” commented FIBA Europe president George Vassilakopoulos.
“She is one of the most graceful and skilled players I’ve seen in a long time,” added secretary-general Nar Zanolin. “She only gets more impressive as the years go by.”
At club level, Torrens is competing for EuroLeague Women side Halcon Avenida, where she is averaging 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
On Wednesday, February 10, FIBA Europe will announce the winner of the Young Men’s Player of the Year Award.
