NBL22 Awards Watch - Volume 2

Written for NBL.com.au by Peter Hooley

It’s only been two rounds, and we have seen some incredible games and individual performances. With so much left in the season, there’s no doubt that we will see even more. However there has been a couple of players who have started building their case for the major awards, and some others who we need to keep an eye on!

Check back every fortnight for an updated watch list. Who’s solidifying their spot? Who dropped out? Who’s jumping in the mix?

Most Valuable Player

First things first, if you’re an Australian basketball fan, you need to be enjoying Duop Reath whilst he’s here. This man is a NBA player, and he is putting scouts on notice after two big time performances to open the season. Reath is averaging 22.5 points and eight rebounds, and is doing it on one of the strongest teams in the league. 

Not only is he putting up those numbers, he is doing it so efficiently, that he will be a matchup nightmare for many teams this season. The ability for him to step out and hit the three, as well as put the ball on the floor, Reath is the real deal.

He’s launched himself into the MVP conversation after only two weeks. Yes teams will start the adjust their scout, when they play the Hawks, but what can they really do? You can’t double team him as he’s a willing passer, who just happens to have some of the leagues best sharp shooters around him. 

For those fans who weren’t sure what Duop Reath was going to bring to the NBL, well now you know. This man has arrived and he’s only just begun!

Top 5:

1. Mitch Creek
2. Duop Reath
3. Vic Law 
4. Bryce Cotton
5. Robert Franks

Best Defensive Player

Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, probably still shame on me. I say that because for some reason, I had some doubts whether Zhou Qi would be this dominant on the defensive end in the NBL.

He led the CBA in blocks, so why was I skeptical? Qi’s presence is huge, no doubt, but his wingspan is absurd.

The biggest question, after what we saw during the Blitz, was how will he cope in the ball screen action, when opposition teams try to pull him away from the basket. Credit to Simon Mitchell and the Phoenix players for implementing their defensive strategy to both be ready to help him on the perimeter, and even more so, solve that issue before it begins and keep him under the rim. 

Zhou Qi has 12 blocks after the first three games and he’s easily altered more shots than that, which is why he is a genuine leading contender for the Damian Martin Trophy. He still has room to grow, as he continues to understand the NBL and how it’s officiated. But make no mistake, Zhou Qi is legit. 

If he continues to put up these numbers, then two things become certain. Firstly, he will have a triple double with blocks this season. Secondly, can we get Damian Martin to present the trophy in person? I need to see that photo!

1. Zhou Qi 
2. Tahjere McCall
3. Matthew Dellavedova
4. Antonius Cleveland
5. Xavier Cooks

Most Improved Player

This award is going to be a lot of fun to watch as the season rolls on. So many players have already stood out having taken a big step forward in NBL22, and there’s been some feel good stories in there as well. Returning from any injury is always a cautious moment, yet two guys have shown incredible resilience to not only return to the court, but to have an instant impact.

Majok Majok coming off his achilles injury has been a standout for Perth in the opening two rounds. His hustle on the boards especially the offensive end, combined with his defensive presence, shows that he hasn’t missed a beat. He’s reveling in the extra opportunities, averaging eight points and 11 rebounds, and taking a big leap forward from the player we saw at Melbourne United.

The other is Angus Glover, who is arguably the feel good story of the league. So many devastating knee injuries and he never once thought of giving up. In fact, he’s showing glimpses of what many of us who followed his junior career expected to see in the NBL. It’s just great to see him back out on the court, looking ultra athletic and playing with confidence. He’s right in the conversation for Most Improved. 

1. Majok Majok
2. Cam Bairstow
3. Angus Glover
4. Kouat Noi
5. Yanni Wetzell

Best Sixth Man

I said before the season that this award was sure to have many changes throughout the season, but I think I may have been wrong. Yes, it has only been two weeks, but from what we have seen from Xavier Rathan-Mayes, this could be his award to lose.

What a great signing this has been for the Hawks. Every team needs someone who can come off the bench and make a consistent impact each game, and that’s Rathan-Mayes.

More than that, it looks like he is loving the role he has within this team. I mean, who wouldn’t? You come off the bench and can inject an offensive punch, or facilitate to two of the best guard shooters in the league or play off a ball screen with one of the best big men? Yes please.

After putting up 15 points in their opening game against the Adelaide 36ers, Rathan-Mayes would have Hawk Heads pumped about NBL22. The best thing about the Hawks, besides being coached by the GOAT, is that they seem to be a complete puzzle. The perfect mix of offense and defense, with a sprinkle of freakish athleticsm (Hi Mr. Cleveland), the Hawks are legit. 

1. Xavier Rathan-Mayes
2. Kyle Adnam
3. Cam Bairstow
4. Jesse Wagstaff
5. Caleb Agada

Rookie of the Year 

We have had some incredible rookies in the NBL over the last few seasons, and no doubt that this year is the same. However, when it comes to the Rookie of the Year Award, it’s important to note that development players are not eligible to win it.

We have seen glimpses from some rookies about what they could deliver across the course of the season. However, it could very well be Luke Travers’ award to lose. A career high 14 rebounds in his second game highlights how influential he can be to the Wildcats without scoring big numbers. 

Travers is averaging nine points and almost 10 rebounds to begin his rookie campaign, as well as getting his hands on three steals per game. He does a lot of little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet, and that’s part of the reason coach Scott Morrison has the trust in him to play over 30 minutes a night. On a team with superstars like Bryce Cotton and Vic Law, Travers role is definitely an important one, in terms of the Wildcats success. 

1. Luke Travers
2. Biwali Bayles
3. Ousmane Dieng
4. Izayah Le’Afa 
5. Makur Maker

Coach of the Year

If you’ve arrived at this award and thought you might get a surprise, I’m sorry to disappoint. With two of the deepest teams in the league, Brian Goorjian and Simon Mitchell have all the right pieces on hand to make a run at a championship.

However, it won’t always be sunshine and rainbows for both those coaches. With deep rosters, comes tough decisions in terms of playing time and role clarity. If history has taught us anything, it’s that just because you have one of the most talented rosters on paper, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll click on the court.

Thankfully, after the opening two rounds, both the Phoenix and Hawks have been clicking and look incredibly dangerous. If only we could all have a Christmas gift of with two teams matching up.

“Hey Siri. Add a date with ESPN on Thursday December 23 at 7:30pm AEDT.”

1. Brian Goorjian
2. Simon Mitchell 
3. Scott Morrison
4. Chase Buford
5. James Duncan

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