Derek Rucker’s Top 15: Why number one took the crown

All season long, two amazing players defined the record-breaking 2025-26 Hungry Jack’s campaign.

They were Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton and Sydney’s Kendric Davis.

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The pair went toe-to-toe all season on the court, and just two votes separated the guards during the NBL26 MVP vote, with Cotton winning on the night and claiming his sixth award.

But American Davis hit back and had the last laugh, powering his Kings to the title and winning the Championship Series MVP after five incredible fixtures.

Now these two are once again pitted against one another for the top spot on Derek Rucker’s Top 15.

In the end, the 1990 NBL MVP gave the honour to three-time champion Cotton, who averaged 26.1 points (league leader), 7.7 assists (career-high) and 3.7 rebounds.

“Number one in the Derek Rucker Top 15 is Bryce Cotton,” Rucker said.

“Cotton has one of the greatest resumes we have ever seen in the NBL and arguably now is making a case for being the greatest player in NBL history.

“[He] just missed out in a heartbreaking fashion on securing his fourth championship, but nevertheless, his greatness was evident in that Series.”

With Cotton claiming the top spot once again (as he did in the mid-season Top 15), Davis, who averaged 25.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists this season, finishes in second on Rucker’s list.

“What separates Cotton from Davis in securing this number one spot? I think it comes down to the flexibility that you have around Bryce Cotton now that he's become an Australian citizen,” Rucker said.

“Adelaide is built for sustained success and Bryce Cotton is the key reason for that.

“[Nonetheless, Kendric is] an outstanding player, and could have easily had one or two MVPs to his name in his first two seasons in the NBL.

“The resume is impressive. A championship now. A Championship Series MVP.

“Can score the basketball, creates for his teammates, plays with a fire and a passion that coaches love to see in their lead guards.”

Check out Derek Rucker’s full Top 15 list here.