Broadcaster Jo Healy outlines her top candidates for the NBL’s top individual honour this season.
We’re just under halfway through the NBL season and already we’ve had some stars standing out.
But some have shone brighter than others and their standout campaigns have placed them firmly in the running for the NBL’s top individual honour.
The award is prestigious, with the likes of Australian basketball icons Andrew Gaze and Andrew Bogut among the long list of recipients, and this year it looks as though eight men are fighting for the chance to join, or re-join, the award’s list of winners.
In typical fashion, the NBL season has been extremely competitive this season.
But, which players have been the cream of the Australian basketball crop this season and staked their claim for the National Basketball League Most Valuable Player award?
The NBL’s legitimate MVP candidates
Chris Goulding, Melbourne United
At the ripe age of 35, Chris Goulding is arguably having his best season to date.
The Melbourne United sharp shooter has scored 33, 19, 27 and 35 in his last four games, helping United to sit pretty on top of the NBL ladder with 10 wins and just two losses.
Jaylen Adams, Sydney Kings
The return of Jaylen Adams has been a huge boost for the Sydney Kings, who are looking to secure the three-peat this season.
Adams is averaging 17.8 points, shooting 42 per cent from the field and five assists, he knows what it takes to win this gong and is getting it done at the defensive end too.
Milton Doyle and Jordan Crawford, Tasmania Jackjumpers
The Tasmania Jackjumpers have a stack of talent this season and their backcourt of Milton Doyle and Jordan Crawford is no exception.
A majority of their offense is run through the two guards, with both also hitting the scoreboard to average 16.3 points and 17.9 points respectively.
The downfall here may be that the pair take MVP attention away from each other, but both are worthy of being in the conversation.
Bryce Cotton, Perth Wildcats
The Perth Wildcats and Bryce Cotton failed to fire in the early stages of the season, however they have come back with vengeance and won their last five games on the trot.
Much of that revived success is thanks to Cotton, who has averaged 28 points in those games. If he keeps going at this rate, he’ll be well in the mix for a fourth most valuable player award.
Alan Williams, SEM Phoenix
Despite missing the beginning of the season with injury, Alan Williams (or Big Sauce as he’s affectionately known), has been impressive for the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The imposing centre is averaging 18 points, on 48 per cent field goal shooting, and 10 rebounds — these figures have him well and truly in the mix for most valuable player after eight rounds.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright, NZ Breakers
Parker Jackson-Cartwright is leading the league in scoring, averaging 20.5 points per game. And while he’s only at 46% for field goal shooting, he’s been one of the bright sparks for the NZ Breakers in an otherwise underwhelming season so far.
PJC’s certainly in the conversation, but his team’s results so far (9th on the ladder) mean if the MVP was awarded today, he wouldn’t get the nod.
Nathan Sobey, Brisbane Bullets
There was early chatter that this could be Nathan Sobey’s year to win the most valuable player, and to be honest it should still be the case.
The Bullets veteran has been firing this season, leading the team averaging 19.6 points (4th in the league) and helping them transform from a struggling organisation into seemingly one on a positive trajectory.
It’s highly likely he’ll be knocking at the door come awards time.
