The next generation of women’s basketball stars took to the court at the 2023 Hoopsfix All-Star Classic – with 1,500 fans packing the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.
A full house saw the brightest young talent from the domestic game in action during a women’s under-19 and a men’s under-19 game on Sunday.
Players are invited to take part in the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic based on their performances during the previous season and it has become a highly anticipated annual event in the domestic basketball calendar.
In the women’s under-19 game, Team White produced a dominant first half display on their way to recording a 91-53 victory over Team Black, inspired by the incredibly talented Fatmata Janneh, who was named MVP.
Janneh registered an impressive 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Her MVP award rounds off a fantastic season for Janneh, who can play either guard of forward; she was also named on the WEABL 2023/23 Southern Conference team of the year, averaging 19.8 points per game and 10 rebounds per game throughout the season, and signed a letter of intent with US Division One college Saint Peter’s in New Jersey.
Ebere Egbirika was another standout candidate at the Classic, with a game-high of 26 points, while Abbey Whitehouse also added a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Team Black were led by Faye Endean’s 15 points.
The talented young players will now hope to follow in the footsteps of the many previous Hoospifx All-Star Classic players who have gone on to enjoy successful basketball careers – including London Lions’ Holly Winterburn, who is one of the most exciting players in the WBBL.
The Hoopsfix All-Star Classic was also raising money for the Hoopsfix Foundation, a charity which helps grow the game across the UK – encouraging young people to play basketball and refurbishing and improving community courts in towns and cities.
Sam Neter, who organises the Classic, said: “Once again we saw some amazing basketball from some incredibly talented young players, played in front of a packed stadium.
“The Hoopsfix All-Star Classic has become a real celebration of basketball in the UK and seeing the skills and passion of this next generation of stars I know the game is in safe hands.”
For more information on the Hoopsfix Foundation, visit: www.hoopsfixfoundation.org.
With thanks to Hoopsfix Foundation via New Reach PR
