Stat Chat: The Blitz leaders

The Blitz has come and gone and there were some strong performers across the week.

Here are the leaders in each statistical category from the Gold Coast.

Points

Alex Toohey - 25 points per game
Bryce Cotton - 22.5
Parker Jackson-Cartwright - 21
Kendric Davis - 19
Tyler Harvey - 18.7
Cameron Oliver - 18.7

Sydney Kings Next Star, Alex Toohey, set himself apart at the Blitz with his stellar performances in his two games.

Averaging 25 points, it was Toohey’s efficiency that stood out and was sure to impress NBA eyes.

Bryce Cotton was up to his usual tricks for the Wildcats, averaging just over 22 points in his two games played.

New import guard, Kendric Davis, made a splash in the league with his dynamic speed and playmaking, and is one to keep an eye on this season.

Alex Toohey.

Rebounds

Jack White - 9.7 rebounds per game
Rob Loe - 8.3
Cameron Oliver - 7.6
Tanner Groves - 7.3
Isaac Humphries - 7
Tyrell Harrison - 7

It was the two United big men who dominated on the glass across the Blitz, with both Jack White and Rob Loe leading the rebounding.

New Cairns signing Tanner Groves also impressed in his first bit of NBL action, pulling down almost 8 rebounds per game for the snakes.

Isaac Humphries and Tyrell Harrison are no strangers to finding themselves at the top of this leaderboard and with both averaging 7 boards per game in limited action, it’s positive signs.

Jack White.

Assists

Shea Ili - 6.7 assists per game
Derrick Walton Jr - 6.5
Izayah Le'Afa - 5
Parker Jackson-Cartwright - 5
Matthew Mooney - 5

Derrick Walton Jr is a known facilitator throughout his whole career and that was very evident at the Blitz with his 6.5 assists per game in limited action.

Good news for United fans is that Shea Ili looks to have a real offensive mindset in the pre-season and his Blitz leading 6.7 assists per game are a strong indication of where he’s at heading into NBL25.

Izayah Le’Afa had a strong week in his role for the Kings, dishing out 10 assists total in two games and proving he can do a lot more than just shoot and play defence.

Shea Ili.

Steals

Joe Wieskamp - 2.3 steals per game
Ben Henshall - 2
Bryce Cotton - 2
Casey Prather - 2
Lachlan Olbrich - 2

There are some questions around the defensive identity of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, but the reputation that Joe Wieskamp brings as a two-way player was on display at the Blitz.

Wieskamp led the week with over two steals per game and was not afraid to get out in transition and finish above the rim.

It should also be no surprise to see two Wildcats in Ben Henshall and Bryce Cotton on this list either, with Perth showing they’re keen to ramp up the defensive pressure in NBL25.

Joe Wieskamp.

Blocks

Freddie Gillespie - 1.7 blocks per game
Isaac Humphries - 1.5
Rocco Zikarksy - 1.5
Jordan Hunter - 1
Cameron Oliver - 1

It was noted in the pre-season that early reports out of New Zealand were that Freddie Gillespie had a strong defensive reputation. That was on display during the Blitz with his week leading 1.7 blocks per game. It’s also no surprise to see the likes of Humphries and Zikarsky up there as two of the premier defensive big men in the competition.

Freddie Gillespie.

Three-point percentage

Alex Toohey - 75 per cent
Mitch McCarron - 66.7 per cent
Jason Cadee - 55.6 per cent
Michael Harris - 55.6 per cent
Cam Oliver - 54.5 per cent

Alex Toohey was on fire up at the Blitz, especially from long range where he shot 75 per cent from three.

After an inconsistent season shooting in his rookie year, Toohey looks set to shine in his role for the Kings.

Mitch McCarron also looked to embrace a new role and mindset for the Breakers, after he shot 66.7 per cent from deep.

Cam Oliver, the Kings big man wasn’t afraid to step out and let it fly either, connecting on over 50 per cent from beyond the arc.

Alex Toohey.