NBL22 Awards Watch - Volume 8

Written for NBL.com.au by Peter Hooley

There are only a few rounds left in what has been an incredible season of the NBL. With the major awards just around the corner, it seems as though there could be a couple of strong frontrunners, yet the rest will be a tight battle to the end. Let’s take a look.

Most Valuable Player

It looks as though we have two who have separated from the pack and are set to battle it out for the highest of honours on awards night. Man, it’s a close one.

They say, “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best”

Just when it looked like Bryce Cotton was going to run away with yet another MVP, Jaylen Adams has continued to make his push for the Andrew Gaze trophy. Adams has been on an absolute tear recently, and he seems to save his best for the games against Perth.

With the Kings recording a series sweep over the Wildcats last round, Adams has led the charge in each of those games. Averaging 27 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in those three games at a ridiculous 53% from the field, Adams has taken the challenge head on. Whilst these matchups aren’t what solely decides the MVP, make no mistake that they build a strong case when it comes time to vote. It’s a two horse race, and the final few rounds will only make it tighter.

1. Jaylen Adams
2. Bryce Cotton
3. Jo Lual-Acuil
4. Mitch Creek
5. Vic Law

Best Defensive Player

The Illawarra Hawks have turned their season around, having won eight of their last 10 games. Those two losses being to the JackJumpers. There’s been many different reasons why it seems to have clicked for the Hawks, but Antonius Cleveland seems to be one of the main ones.

His energy is infectious, and his ability to take on big defensive assignments has proven to swing the momentum of games. Not only that but being able to rip down defensive boards and soar in transition, has helped spark many runs for the Hawks. Cleveland’s leadership on and off the floor will be crucial to a playoff run for Illawarra, but he seems to embrace those challenges and thrive off them.

1. Matthew Dellavedova
2. Shea Ili
3. Xavier Cooks
4. Antonius Cleveland
5. Tasmania JackJumpers Squad

Most Improved Player

In another tough year for the New Zealand Breakers, they can take a few positives away when it comes to building towards next season. The main one being, Yanni Wetzell.

Firstly, being able to get his signature to return home on a three-year deal was huge. Then to be able to watch him quickly become of one the best big men in the competition. Wetzell has been by far the most consistent player for the Breakers, who have been thrown challenge after challenge in terms of off court situations.

He has improved his scoring output from last season from 11 to 17 points per game, and just under 60% shooting. He’s also averaging two more rebounds and has doubled his steals per game. The only negative out of Wetzell’s season is the fact that he had to launch a ¾ court shot on the siren, which ruined his career 100% from three. Any late clock heave from beyond half court, shouldn’t count as a miss.

1. Jo Lual-Acuil
2. Yanni Wetzell
3. Xavier Cooks
4. Jack McVeigh
5. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
6. Keanu Pinder

Best Sixth Man

After beginning the season on fire, JackJumpers captain Clint Steindl cooled off for an eight game stretch where he struggled to hit double figures in scoring. Since then, he has been back to his best, posting double figures in five of his last seven games including a 20 point haul in just 17 minutes of playing time.

It's been previously highlighted just how good of a pickup he was for Scott Roth. What the JackJumpers have managed to achieve this season, has been nothing short of incredible. We often speak about culture starting at the top, and whilst that might begin with Roth, a lot of the responsibility on the court comes down to Steindl, as well. He’s been an instrumental piece of their success and will continue to do so.

1. Shea Ili
2. Xavier Rathan-Mayes
3. Keanu Pinder
4. Clint Steindl
5. Kyle Adnam

Rookie of the Year

At the beginning of the season, there was a lot of talk about Luke Travers. A lot of that was questioning his eligibility for the Rookie of the Year, but it was also about his potential to raise the eyes of NBA scouts.

With Mike Schmitz in the building on Saturday night, Travers’ nerves would have been sky high. Add to that him seeing his team down double digits early, as he’s about to check in, wouldn’t have helped his cause. Yet Travers was a shining light for Perth in what was a disappointing night out west.

His 20 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals, were a great personal reward to show just how far he has come over the last 18 months. Whilst he still isn’t shooting a great clip from outside, the pleasing thing for scouts and Coach Morrison, is that he isn’t second guessing himself anymore. In fact, he’s stepping in with the utmost confidence (see the step back three in Saturday’s game).

1. Luke Travers
2. Bul Kuol
3. Izayah Le’afa
4. Mason Peatling
5. Makur Maker

Coach of the Year

If the coaches award were to be given based on everyone’s recent tweets and articles, then Scott Roth would already be holding the trophy. To be fair, it seems very likely that he will be at the end of the season. However, let’s give some love to what Chase Buford has managed to achieve with the Sydney Kings.

Bringing in a whole new system and culture and trying to integrate it on the fly is never easy, yet here we are. Sure, there were some growing pains earlier in NBL22, but the Kings have well and truly figured it out. Their superstars and role players have all bought into Buford’s system and the wins are starting to pile up because of it. Right now, we’re seeing how tough it is to get a win over the Kings at full strength, but when it comes to finals, someone is going to have to get multiple to claim the series… I’ll have my popcorn ready!

1. Scott Roth
2. Chase Buford
3. Dean Vickerman
4. Brian Gorjian
5. Scott Morrison

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