VALENCIA (Spain) – Spain ensured they were victorious in front of their home crowd to celebrate booking their spot at another Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament.
Santi Aldama collected TISSOT MVP honors with 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Spain as the hosts won all four games for a perfect week.
Spain – who were Olympic medalists in 1984, 2008, 2012 and 2016 – defeated the Bahamas 86-78 in Sunday’s Final in Valencia in front of over 7,000 supporters.
Lorenzo Brown played an important role in the victory with 18 points including four three-pointers, helping spark a pivotal spell late in the first half.
Deandre Ayton posted 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Buddy Hield contributed 19 points and 6 rebounds, to lead the Bahamas. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome Spain’s experience in such elimination games.
Rudy Fernandez, 39, is set to become the first male basketball player to compete in six Olympic basketball tournaments.
Spain’s return to another Olympics sees them land in Group A alongside Australia, Canada and Greece.
