NBL x NBL1 Player Watch

In the final weekend of NBL1 games for 2021, the North Adelaide Rockets and Mackay Meteors were crowned NBL1 champions, and three NBL players played a starring role. 

In NBL1 Central, it was Sunday Dech who was the hero for the North Adelaide Rockets with 15 points, nine rebounds, 13 assists and six steals in a Grand Final MVP performance. 

He was complemented by his usual partner-in-crime in former Adelaide 36ers teammate and Tasmania Jackjumpers recruit Jack McVeigh, who put up 21 points and 13 boards to break a 15-year premiership drought for the Rockets, who beat Norwood by 15 points.

Up north, Emmanuel Malou played a pivotal part in Mackay’s championship-winning series over Cairns, averaging 16 points across the two games.

Despite limited minutes in the first game, Malou was able to back up his 15 points with nine boards and go on to post those same rebound numbers plus 17 points in the second and final game of the series. 

Although the NBL1 Central, North, South and West seasons are over, the content doesn’t stop on the NBL1’s social media channels. 

Over the off season, there will be endless highlights to reflect on, off-season news and a new conference in NBL1 East coming into the competition next year, with a multitude of player signings to be announced. 

Continue to keep your eye on NBL1.com.au for everything you need to know about NBL connections in NBL1! 

Central 

• Jack McVeigh (Tasmania Jackjumpers/ North Adelaide Rockets)- 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists v Norwood
• Sunday Dech (Adelaide 36ers/ North Adelaide Rockets)- 15 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists and 6 steals v Norwood

North 

• Emmanuel Malou (Adelaide 36ers/ Mackay Meteors)- 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists v Cairns (Game 1) & 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists v Cairns (Game 2)