Wollongong’s surprising fast start to the 2009/10 National Basketball League season has seen them scoop the pool in the NBL monthly awards, with Hawks’ star Tywain McKee named Player of the Month for September/October and Gordie McLeod honoured as Coach of the Month.

During the Hawks’ seven games in September and October, McKee averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals. The Hawks’ import shot 52% (47-91) from the field and knocked down 17-of-33 shots (52%) from behind the three-point arc.

The exciting new American import had two 23-point contests against Gold Coast (Round 2) and New Zealand (Round 4) and his lowest score in the first six rounds was 19 points.  McKee received 36 overall votes for Player of the Month, just edging out another star import in Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams from Townsville, who received 33 votes. Melbourne Tigers’ forward Mark Worthington came in third with 14 votes.

Hawks coach McLeod took home the Coach of the Month award after guiding his team to an undefeated 5-0 home record and an overall 5-2 record in seven contests. McLeod’s team averaged 82.1 points per game while holding opponents to 75.9. During September/October, his squad posted a points differential of +44 points over their opponents and was on top of the NBL ladder virtually the entire time.

McLeod received 39 votes for the award, beating out Perth Wildcats’ coach Rob Beveridge who had 27 and New Zealand Breakers mentor Andrej Lemanis (13). There were five coaches overall who received votes for the honour.

McLeod said the dual awards were recognition of his team’s outstanding team play through the start of the season.  

“I appreciate the award, but it’s a credit to the entire coaching staff here in Wollongong and it’s also a reflection on how well we are playing as a team,” McLeod said.

“Our assistant coaches Eric Cooks and Matt Flinn have done a tremendous job behind the scenes to get us prepared game in and game out. It’s been a team effort since day one, and we’ll continue to work together and improve each week.”

“There’s still a long way to go in the season, but if we can continue to focus on playing quality team basketball and continue to put the pressure on the defensive end we’re going to put ourselves in the best position to be in the mix come February.”

The NBL’s Player and Coach of the Month for September/October took into account Rounds 1 to 6 inclusive. All NBL Head Coaches and accredited media are eligible to vote for the awards.

NBL Player of the Month – September/October 2009
Tywain McKee          Wollongong    36        
Corey Williams         Townsville       33        
Mark Worthington    Melbourne       14        
John Gilchrist            Adelaide           5        
CJ Bruton                  New Zealand    3        
Ayinde Ubaka           Gold Coast        3        
Kevin Lisch               Perth                 2        

NBL Coach of the Month - September/October 2009
Gordie McLeod        Wollongong        39        
Rob Beveridge         Perth                  27        
Andrej Lemanis        New Zealand    13        
Trevor Gleeson         Townsville         4        
Aaron Fearne           Cairns                2