TULCEA, Romania – Purdue freshman Maya Zilbershlag capped her summer representing Israel with the U18 Women’s EuroBasket Division B title and MVP honors. After leading her country to runner-up honors at the U20 EuroBasket in July, Zilbershlag scored 21 points in the U18 championship to lead Israel to an 85-66 win over host Romania on Sunday.
Zilbershlag took home tournament MVP honors after tallying 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. She was the lone player in the event to rank in the top 15 in all three categories – sixth in scoring, 14th in rebounding and 12th in assists. She led the tournament in free throws made and attempted at 41-of-52.
The incoming freshman recorded six games in double figures, including four 20-point outings. She poured in 27 points in the group stage against Bulgaria, before closing out the opening rounds with a 23-point effort against Ukraine.
Following an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double against Iceland in the quarterfinals, Zilbershlag went for 23 points against Austria to reach the championship game against the host nation.
In the finals, Zilbershlag scored 21 points, including a perfect 8-of-8 at the line to send Israel to the U18 Women’s EuroBasket Division B title and qualification into the main event next year.
This summer, the Kfar Saba, Israel, native averaged 16.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists over the two tournaments.
For her career, Zilbershlag has posted 15 points, 7.2 boards and 2.1 assists over seven international tournaments for Israel.