NBL23: The Stat Leaders So Far

As the quality of sports analytics and stats-keeping continues to evolve basketball is becoming even more of a numbers driven game.

The emergence of now key statistical measures like plus/minus, true shooting percentage and efficiency ratings may have changed the way the game is analysed, but sometimes the best way to get a measure of how a player is performing is to go back to basics.

With NBL23 now six weeks in the competition is starting to take shape. There's a degree of separation between the top and bottom teams, and awards candidates are already starting to emerge.

NBL Media runs through the stats leaders from the season so far.

Points per game:
1. Bryce Cotton – 21.4 PPG
2. Barry Brown Jr – 21.3 PPG
3. Mitch Creek – 21.1 PPG
4. Craig Randall II – 20.3 PPG
5. DJ Hogg – 18 PPG

The more Bryce Cotton changes, the more he stays the same. The Perth Wildcats star is, once again, leading all comers in scoring in the NBL – and he’s searching for a remarkable sixth NBL scoring title of his career.

Cotton is seeing an increase in his minutes this season – largely due to the Wildcats’ lack of other potent options on offence so far this season, and it looks like the extra minutes are wearing on the veteran guard. Although he leads the league in scoring, his averages are slightly down on seasons past.

Barry Brown has carved a great niche off the bench for the Breakers – despite starting the game on the bench he’s established himself as New Zealand’s go-to offensive option when the game is tight and on the line.

Mitch Creek has been battling a foot injury all season, but you wouldn’t know it based off of numbers alone – so far NBL23 is shaping up to be a career-best season for the Phoenix hero, at least from a scoring perspective.

The ability of Craig Randall II to light up the scoreboard was never in doubt during his time at the Adelaide 36ers, but off-court issues saw the side split with their star guard. Robert Franks, Daniel Johnson and Mitch McCarron will be the players looked to to replace Randall’s 20 points per game.

DJ Hogg’s ability to score the ball sums up the Taipans. Often he looks just as likely to drop a 30-piece as he is to shoot 20 per cent from the field, but his scoring has been a key part of this exciting Taipans side’s surge up the ladder.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bryce Cotton is just a ???? ?<br><br>23 already tonight - and throw in five assists for good measure ?<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel. <a href="https://t.co/poBIdViep5">pic.twitter.com/poBIdViep5</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1588134105379532800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rebounds per game:
1. Keanu Pinder – 10 RPG
2. Sam Froling – 9 RPG
3. Aron Baynes – 8.4 RPG
4. Xavier Cooks – 8.3 RPG
5. Rashard Kelly – 8.2 RPG

Cairns coach Adam Forde labelled Keanu Pinder as the best centre in the NBL – and he certainly is, at least when it comes to crashing the boards.

After being named the NBL’s Most Improved Player last season while splitting his time at the four and the five, Pinder is playing this season as a genuine centre – and his athleticism and ability to play outside the key has seen him become a difficult matchup for big men around the league.

It’s worth nothing that he’s also leading the league in offensive rebounds per game alongside New Zealand’s Dererk Pardon with 3.6 per game. He’s also the only player in the NBL to currently be averaging a double-double per game.

Sam Froling has continued to prove a difficult matchup inside the key despite Illawarra’s struggles this season. In his four seasons in the NBL he’s increased his rebounding numbers every season of his career so far despite currently playing fewer minutes in NBL23 than he did in NBL22 and NBL21.

Aron Baynes came into the NBL to a great amount of fanfare during the off-season, and although it’s been a slow burn for ‘The Big Banger’ to reach top form he’s consistently hit the boards well for a strong-rebounding Brisbane side.

Xavier Cooks has taken his game to another level this season after earning Grand Final MVP honours last season, but his extra responsibility on offence hasn’t diminished his effectiveness on the boards.

Tasmania’s Rashard Kelly has bene slowly increasing his minutes over the course of the season and despite starting on the bench he’s emerged as one of the most important players on this JackJumpers roster. With fellow big Will Magnay still sidelined with a knee injury Kelly’s influence on the boards for a generally undersized JackJumpers can’t be understated so far this season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;??&#39;? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ??&quot; ?<a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CairnsTaipans</a> coach Adam Forde is loving Keanu Pinder&#39;s body of work so far this season. Can he lead the snake-show to another win today? <a href="https://t.co/ASuyIoWRdY">pic.twitter.com/ASuyIoWRdY</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1584001661990801409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Assists per game:
1. Peyton Siva – 8.7 APG
2. Gary Browne – 8.6 APG
3. Shannon Scott – 7.1 PPG
4. Derrick Walton Jr – 6.2 APG
5. Tahjere McCall – 6 APG

A late arrival to Illawarra due to Justin Robinson’s knee injury, former Breaker Peyton Siva has provided the Hawks with exactly what they’ve needed all season long – a  traditional floor-general who can open a game up with a solitary pass.

Siva’s addition to the side has helped improve Illawarra’s stuttering offence in recent weeks, and although they’re still yet to win with him in the side this season it’s easy to argue the Hawks look far slicker with him in the line-up.

Gary Browne experienced a later start to the season too given his pre-season injury – but since his return South East Melbourne has thrived on offence and he hit the ground running in the NBL with six assists in his first eight minutes of play. Although those unsustainable numbers have obviously dipped, Browne has been a high-quality addition to the Phoenix this season.

Cairns' exciting and entertaining offence can often resemble something akin to organised chaos, but Shannon Scott adds an air of class, maturity and patience to a side that thrives off of creating open looks.

As teams have looked to temper Derrick Walton Jr’s scoring influence for the Kings, the star import guard has transitioned into a more pass-first mentality on offence, and the likes of Xavier Cooks and Tim Soares have benefitted from his elite court vision.

Tahjere McCall is the only player who features in the top five assisters in the league who isn’t a true point guard, and the forward’s addition exemplifies Cairns’ team-first approach on offence. McCall has been injured for Cairns’ last few contests, and his re-integration into the side after the FIBA break will only make them a more dangerous prospect on offence.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Hawks are coming - they&#39;re on an 18-8 run in the third quarter, and Peyton Siva is hitting DAGGERS ??<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel. <a href="https://t.co/IGN1qbctGM">pic.twitter.com/IGN1qbctGM</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1588105039708450819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Blocks per game:
1. Isaac Humphries – 1.9 BPG
2. DJ Hogg – 1.4 BPG
3. Dererk Pardon – 1.2 BPG
4. Tim Soares – 1.2 BPG
5. Mangok Mathiang – 1.1 BPG

Injury to United big-man Ariel Hukporti has seen the pressure placed on Isaac Humphries to step up in a big way, and step up in a big way he has. As United’s only fit traditional centre Humphries has been tasked with protecting the rim almost all by himself. His ability to impact and block shots has never been in doubt since his successful stint with the 36ers, but it’s great to see him back in the NBL playing to the best of his abilities.

DJ Hogg was brought in by the Taipans just as much for his defence as his offence. The six foot nine combo forward has benefitted from size mismatches when playing the three, and being faster and more agile than his opponents when playing the four – and his knack for knowing when to play help defence has played a big role in Cairns’ defensive stinginess.

Dererk Pardon has been holding it down at the five spot for the Breakers and he’s formed a powerful and physical front-court partnership with fellow import Jarrell Brantley. When Pardon blocks a shot they tend to get swatted, and his intimidating presence in the lane often makes opposition guards have second thoughts about driving on him.

Tim Soares has flown somewhat under the radar for the Kings due to the out of this world performances from fellow imports Justin Simon and Derrick Walton Jr, but he’s come to the Kings and is fulfilling a role they were in dire need of following the departure of Jarell Martin. He’s an unassuming yet effective presence on offence with the capability to play with his back to the basket and hit his outside shots, but he’s become the defensive linchpin the reigning champions have built their defence out from.

As it stands, Mangok Mathiang is happy just to be playing basketball again – and after two years out with injury he’s showcased flashes of what made him such a highly touted NBA prospect earlier in his career. Coming off the bench behind Sam Froling, Mathiang is providing some much-needed defensive intimidation and shot-blocking for an Illawarra team that’s being scored on all too easily in NBL23.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LET&#39;S KEEP THIS ONE GOING ?????<br><br>Sam Froling misses the free throw, XRM hits an insane three, Isaac Humphries gets the clutch block ?<br><br>Anyone else can&#39;t breathe? ?<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel ? <a href="https://t.co/5lthyZNYQT">pic.twitter.com/5lthyZNYQT</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1586276733501652992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Steals per game:
1. Peyton Siva – 2.7 SPG
1. Tahjere McCall – 2.7 SPG
2. Owen Foxwell – 2.4 SPG
3. DJ Hogg – 2.1 SPG
4. Tyler Harvey – 2 SPG

As well as adding some much-needed offensive flow to the struggling Hawks, Peyton Siva’s active hands on the defensive end of the floor have helped provide the team with more fast break opportunities. Siva’s defensive abilities are when endeared him most to Breakers fans during his stint with the club last season – so Hawks fans will enjoy seeimg him continue to perform strongly on the less glamorous side of the ball.

Much like Siva, Cairns’ Tahjere McCall is making waves on both ends of the court. While the Taipans have found ways to win games in McCall’s absence, they’ll be looking forward to his return on the other side of the FIBA break. Fellow Taipan Sam Waardenburg recently said he believes Cairns can be the best defensive team in the competition. McCall’s return will help them reach that benchmark.

Owen Foxwell has taken his opportunity for extended court-time with both hands so far this season. The 19-year-old development player was handed back-up ball-handling duties while import guards Gary Browne and Trey Kell were sidelined through injury, and he didn’t look overawed when tasked to defend some of the best guards in the league. As his offensive game continues to grow around his inherent ability to rip the ball from the opposition the sky looks to be the limit for the emerging Victorian.

DJ Hogg has put a stellar start to the season together. Even with the exceptional performances of centre Keanu Pinder there’s a strong argument to be made that Hogg’s performances are the biggest reason for the Taipans’ surprise run to the top of the table. While still only 26, Hogg's ability to defend at the highest level sets the tone for his teammates, and he and McCall set the benchmark defensively for the young side.

Tyler Harvey has struggled this season – especially in the period between Justin Robinson’s injury and Peyton Siva’s signing – but nobody can ever question his effort on the defensive end of the floor. As co-captain of the Hawks Harvey often sets the tone defensively and makes an impression with his physical defence and fast hands.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tahjere McCall silences the crowd?<br><br>He drives for the bucket and the call ? <a href="https://t.co/bjZ7r3C9DB">pic.twitter.com/bjZ7r3C9DB</a></p>&mdash; Cairns Taipans (@CairnsTaipans) <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans/status/1576882619798519808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>