Sydney Kings superstar centre Andrew Bogut was named the Hungry Jack’s NBL Most Valuable Player in 2018/2019 at the NBL Awards Night in Melbourne overnight.
The tight NBL MVP race came down between Bogut (83 votes) and Melbourne’s Casper Ware (77 votes), with only six votes separating the two stars. Perth’s Bryce Cotton placed third (65 votes).
All three players were joined by Nick Kay (Perth) and Lamar Patterson (Brisbane) in the All NBL First Team. The All NBL Second Team included Nathan Sobey and Daniel Johnson (Adelaide), Melo Trimble (Cairns), Shawn Long (New Zealand) and Jerome Randle (Sydney).
In a battle for Defensive Player of the Year, Bogut beat Kings teammate Kevin Lisch and Shawn Long for the award.
Bogut’s remarkable impact to the Australian basketball landscape is immense. The towering big man has brought along his NBA experience, his social status and leadership to help raise the profile of the NBL to greater heights.
His championship pedigree and winning attitude has carried over to his new ball club in his first year in the league, catapulting the underachieving franchise from cellar dwellers to their first playoff appearance in six years. They will face Melbourne United in their first semi-final battle since 2012.
The stats do not tell the full story.
The humble Aussie’s leadership on and off the court has given Sydney a familiar face, a certain toughness and an identity that has been embraced by the whole city.
AB is averaging 11.6 points, 11.7 rebounds , 3.5 assists, 56% field goal shooting, 2.7 blocks, 0.5 steals and 1.8 turnovers in a shade under 30 minutes across 28 games.
Bogut has maintained a clean bill of health that has allowed him to dominate the league in many ways. He is the current league leader in rebounds and blocks, but his aggression, high IQ and defensive smarts help free up his guards to operate freely in transition.
The results speak for itself. Sydney’s 18-10 record is tied with Perth and Melbourne. Without Bogut, the Kings would probably remain dormant, with its endless revolving door of players and coaches while the fanbase suffers. Not anymore.
The lofty expectations brought by Bogut’s arrival has indeed elevated everyone’s game, from his fellow Boomers teammates Lisch and Brad Newley, import Jerome Randle, the bench mob down to the coaching staff.
The only thing left to do is deliver a championship to the city once again. The stakes are higher, but Bogut expects nothing less than a chip. That’s what he came here to do.
In his own words, Bogut spoke openly when he accepted his MVP Award.
“I know I’m not a top-scoring guy every game but I try to impact games in different ways. I appreciate everybody who voted, maybe who has seen those things – it’s not always on the stat sheet for me … I really appreciate it. Hopefully we get a championship”, said Bogut.
We salute you Andrew Bogut, carry on.
Marco Selorio is a serial entrepreneur, basketball writer, Master of Ceremonies, event director and promoter. Follow him on Facebook @marcoandreselorio and on Instagram @marcoselorio
