FIBA Europe is pleased to announce Anete Jekabsone as the winner of the first-ever FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year.

Jekabsone, who played for Latvia at the 2005 EuroBasket Women and for Bourges in the EuroLeague, collected 92 votes from the international media selection for the award, 25 votes more than the second-place recipient.

		Anete Jekabsone

The 22 year-old do-it-all forward averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.8 steals per contest at the EuroBasket Women. In 2005 with Bourges in the EuroLeague, Jekabsone led her team in scoring with 13.5 a game.

"I am really happy about it even if I am a little bit surprised. I feel really good about it,” said Jekabsone.

"There are many good players, so I suppose I'm very happy to have won this award. I must be doing okay."

Jekabsone helped Latvia earn sixth place in EuroBasket Women, the country’s highest placement ever in the event. She led Bourges to the quarterfinals in the EuroLeague.

"FIBA Europe is proud that the winner of the first-ever FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player is Anete Jekabsone,” said FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin.

“Her performance at EuroBasket Women solidified her star status. We are all fortunate that we will have the opportunity to watch this special player for years to come.”

Players under 22 (born in 1983 or after) were eligible for the Young Women’s Player of the Year Award.

Jekabsone will be presented with the official custom-designed 2005 FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year trophy at a game to be announced.

FIBA Europe will be announcing the 2005 individual winners in the following categories as follows:

Young Men – Thursday, January 19, 2006 

Woman – Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Men – Thursday, January 26, 2006

Breakdown of Votes for the Young Women’s Player of the Year: