Malta’s star guard Amber Melgoza was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) on Sunday at the FIBA European Small Countries Women’s Championships in Kosovo. This accolade comes after an exceptional display of skill and determination throughout the tournament, underscoring her pivotal role in Malta’s impressive journey to the final.

Melgoza’s outstanding performance was highlighted by her remarkable statistics. She averaged an impressive 39.3 minutes of play per game, demonstrating her endurance and commitment on the court. Her scoring prowess was evident as she averaged 19.6 points per game, boasting a 55% field goal percentage, 66.7% from the free-throw line, and 20% from three-point range.

In addition to her scoring, Melgoza was a force in rebounding, averaging 10.8 rebounds per game. Her defensive skills were on full display with an average of 3.2 steals per game. Furthermore, she showcased her playmaking abilities by averaging 3.8 assists per game. Except for the opening fixture against Kosovo, she finished with a double-double in every match, underscoring her all-around capabilities.

Despite Malta’s narrow 61-54 defeat to Norway in the final, Melgoza’s contributions were crucial to her team’s success. This was Malta’s only loss in the entire tournament, a testament to their strong performance throughout.

Melgoza’s impact on the Malta national team has been profound. This tournament marked her second appearance for Malta, having made her debut last year in the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE 2023) held in Malta. Her experience with Cadi La Seu has evidently translated into significant contributions on the international stage.