In survey held by FIBA for finding out the best young basketball player, rising star of Georgian basketball Tornike Shengelia gained 26322 votes from fans, almost twice better results than the main favorite Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas has, but according to FIBA experts he is in the 7th place. As far as you know survey at official web-site of FIBA started in December and it lasted about month and half. The final results show that Georgian fans actively participated in this survey, where voting was possible once a day. 20-year-old Shengelia convincingly won fan’s survey and as for experts, they supported Valanciunas and Nikola Mirotic, player of Spanish national team. Finally when all points were calculated, Shengelia took the 6th place and Valanchius became player of the year.
It is newsworthy that 19-year-old Lithuanian point-guard had a distinguished season. He showed his possibilities at European Youth Basketball Championship very well. At EuroBasket he played for national team and there also was very distinguished player.
As for Shengelia, he has a big progress. Now he is injured and cannot help to Belgium “Charleroi”. Tornike is leader of Georgian youth national team and with his help it won B division at European championship and as a result this year Georgian team will play in elite round. His average points are 29.9 and 12.0 rebounds and no one was surprised that he was named as MVP (most valuable player) and of course he took place in symbolic top five.
Shengelia also played for national team and competed at EuroBasket, his points per game was 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds.
