Monday, August 24, 2009

Former Valparaiso standout Joaquim Gomes was recently named the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 FIBA African Championship after leading his native Angola to its sixth consecutive gold medal.

Gomes, a two-time Olympian with the Angolan squad, averaged 15.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and connected on 62.5% of his field goal attempts en route to being named the tournament’s Best Center as well as MVP.  In the championship game, an 82-72 victory over Cote d’Ivoire, Gomes poured in 16 points and ripped down a game-high 16 rebounds, including ten on the offensive end.

The tournament title qualifies Angola for the 2010 FIBA World Championships, where it will represent Africa as reigning champion for the third time in a row.