DeShields earns MVP as USA Basketball wins U17 world championship

As of Sunday, August 26, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: Brendan Sullivan Norcross junior Diamond DeShields is named the Gwinnett Daily Post's girls basketball player of the year.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Tournament MVP Diamond DeShields of Norcross and her USA Basketball teammates won the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship on Sunday with a 75-62 victory over Spain.

DeShields had 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the finals as the Americans finished with an 8-0 record and the gold medal. Spain threatened to take control of the game with runs in the second and third quarters, but each time the USA responded to lead from start to finish in its closest final of the tournament.

DeShields' teammate, Linnae Harper (Whitney Young H.S./Chicago, Ill.), also was named to the five-member all-tournament team.

DeShields averaged a team-high 14.8 points over the eight-game event and was one of only two U.S. double-figure scorers — Rebecca Greenwell (Owensboro Catholic H.S./Owensboro, Ky.) was second at 11.9 ppg. She also averaged 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

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