Alba Torrens Elected as Europe’s Women’s Player of the Year

After receiving tremendous support from fans, Spanish star Alba Torrens was named as Europe’s Women’s Player of the Year, FIBA Europe announced on Tuesday night.

The 22-year old guard made waves after leading her former club Perfumerias Avenida to the top of the 2011 EuroBasket Women, defeating Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje in the finals, which was also enough for him to be named as the Final Four MVP.

Torrens, who also helped Avenida bag the Spanish League title, averaged 15.8 points to go with 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists last EuroLeague Women season.

The Spanish national team standout signed with Galatasaray for this year’s EuroLeague Women season and had a strong start with her new club, but she sustained a season-ending injury last month.

“She is a fantastic player and a wonderful person, I hope this well-deserved award serves as a sign that 2012 can be as good for her as 2011 was, despite the unfortunate start to the year,” FIBA Europe President Olafur Rafnsson said.

Torrens got enormous boost from fan votes, receiving 17773 points, which was enough to eclipse the combined votes received by second placer Maria Stepanova (6520), Elena Danilochkina (6083), and Sandrine Gruda (4485).

FIBA Europe 2011 Women's Player of the Year Voting Final Ranking

1. Alba Torrens
2. Maria Stepanova
3. Elena Danilochkina
4. Sandrine Gruda
5. Nevriye Yilmaz
6. Eva Viteckova
7. Sandra Mandir
8. Iva Perovanovic
9. Birsel Vardarli
10. Emilie Gomes