D’Tigers’ Chima Moneke named Basketball Champions League MVP

Nigeria’s Chima Moneke has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2021-22 Basketball Champions League Season, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 26-year-old who debuted for Nigeria at the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket championship, plies his trade with BAXI Manresa in the Spanish Basketball Liga and was awarded the MVP after an outstanding season where he scored an average of 13.1 points per game in the BCL this season.

He delivered a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double in the semifinals against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Moneke has also been averaging 1.3 steals, a PIR of 15.3 and shooting 57.1% from the field. Moneke had a huge impact on Manresa’s season, especially in BCL down the stretch.

A spot on the Star Lineup naturally goes to the MVP but aside from Moneke, the remaining members are Joe Ragland, Jonah Radebaugh, Chris Johnson, and Giorgi Shermadini.

BCL also chooses the Star Lineup Second Team and the following players earned a spot on it: Marcelinho Huertas, Joe Thomasson, Ivan Buva, Elijah Stewart, and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell. Each and every one of them had an impressive and impactful season, and they weren’t too far away from a place on the Star Lineup First Team.

Meanwhile, the award for the Best Young Player was handed to Giordano Bortolani and the deadliest three-point shooter in the competition has definitely earned it.

Manresa gave one player to the Star Lineup and one player to the Second Team but the Spanish club has also been led by the Coach of the Season – Pedro Martinez. And it’s official.

The coach led Manresa to the Final for the first time in club history. They were 5-1 in the regular season and 4-2 in the Round of 16, finishing both stages as the top team in the group. Manresa has also been strong in the Spanish Liga Endesa with a 19-13 record.