After leading Panathinaikos Athens to a stunning, 83-89 comeback win on the court of Kinder Bologna in Sunday's championship game to lift the EuroLeague trophy, Dejan Bodiroga was voted the 2002 Final Four MVP.
2002 Final Four MVP: Dejan Bodiroga, Panathinaikos
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In what was their second EuroLeague title in three years for Panathinaikos Athens and Bodiroga, the 29-year-old forward had one of the finest championship game performances. In 38 minutes on the floor, Bodiroga netted 21 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists. He made 7 of his 12 two-point attempts and 1 of his 2 three-point shots.
"As I always say, the 12 players of the winning team are all MVPs because we played together from the first to the last game this season," Bodiroga said after the game. "I wouldn't be MVP without players like [Fragiskos] Alvertis, [Johnny] Rogers, and a great coach like Zeljko [Obradovic]. With all this, I always try to give 100% and now I want to go for the Greek League. It surely was the most difficult Final Four because we beat two teams like Maccabi and Kinder, who was playing at home."
Bodiroga shined in the semifinal win over Maccabi Elite, too, when he finished with 26 points and 9 rebounds, making 8 of 13 field goal attempts and 9 of 11 free throws while barely leaving the floor during the 40 minutes. He finishes the season averaging 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 rebounds, with his first Final Four MVP honor and his second EuroLeague crown.