Spanish prospect Izan Almansa claims two tournament MVP titles at once / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Spain U18 national team became the European champions last night, conquering Turkey in the final 68-61. Following the final buzzer, the Most Valuable Player of the tournament was revealed.

17-year-old Izan Almansa claimed the trophy after scoring 14 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the ultimate match of the championship. Throughout the entire tournament, the 2.07-meter center averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds for 22.6 PIR.

Interestingly enough, Almansa became the MVP of the U17 World Cup back in July as well. Although his team lost in the final to the USA, the big man scored 9 points and grabbed 15 boards to solidify his place as the most valuable player of the tournament, despite not winning it all.

What is a rare case in youth basketball, his stats were even better playing among older opponents as Alamnasa averaged 12.1 points and 11.9 rebounds for 20.1 PIR in the U17 Championship.

Last year, Almansa became the first Spanish player to join the Overtime Elite league, a project in which young prospects get paid while maintaining their academic and basketball training.

"I'm so proud of getting the award. I wasn’t expecting to get it, but for me it means a lot, and it means a lot for my teammates and the work of all the staff and all the coaches. Right now we are sad, but we will think about what we did in the future," Almansa said following the final loss against the USA.

It seems like his words were meant to materialize. Now, Spain can enjoy one of the better summers of youth basketball in recent memory.

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