dunkcomau

NBL axes the Rookie Of The Year award

  • January 16, 2023
  • Dan Boyce
  • NBL News
  • 0
  • 2159 Views

Today it was announced the NBL would not be awarding its Rookie Of The Year award and replacing it with the ‘Next Generation Award’, an award aimed at crowning the best under-25 player in the league each season.

The award has not only been modified to allow players who have played multiple seasons in the NBL but now opens the door for import players to win the award.

Although traditionally an exclusive award for local players during their first full year in the NBL, players born outside of Australia/New Zealand have been awarded the trophy before. The league allows Next Stars to be eligible for the trophy. Take Lamelo Ball’s win during the 2020 NBL season, where gained more votes than fellow US born rookie RJ Hampton.

The new accolade will be awarded for the first time this season at the Andrew Gaze MVP Night on February 7.

It’s interesting to note that the inaugural winner of the ‘Next Generation Award’ could be Phillinpino born Kai Sotto (Adelaide) and US import Brady Manek (Perth), who are both eligible for the award. Contenders also include a number of NBL veterans like Harry Froling (Brisbane), who is currently playing in his sixth NBL season.

Other players who will no doubt be in the running for the award will be;

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger believes the change will provide a more meaningful representation of the immense talent amongst the League’s emerging superstars.

“The NBL has never been better and a huge part of that is due to the injection of the sensational younger talent we are lucky to have participating in the competition,” Loeliger said.

“From rising Australian and New Zealand players, returning college players, Next Stars, high level imports and exciting development players, the NBL has a healthy and diverse mix of up and coming stars who are making their mark in a big way on a global stage.

“Changing from Rookie of the Year to the Next Generation Award allows us to simplify the eligibility criteria so we can highlight and recognise the stars of the future with greater transparency.”

All head coaches, assistant coaches and captains will vote for the Next Generation Award presented by Champion.

 

Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • NBL News

    MELBOURNE UNITED NEEDS TO DECIDE: Are they the Tigers or not?

    Jensen Bradtke wearing his father Mark’s famous No. 50 should be one of the great stories of NBL27. Instead, it has again exposed a question Melbourne United has never properly answered: when does Melbourne Tigers history belong to United, and when doesn’t it? Seeing BRADTKE and No. 50 together on a Melbourne basketball jersey again should be nothing other than a celebration. Jensen Bradtke is beginning his first season with Melbourne United, wearing the same number his father Mark wore through one of the great…

    READ MORE
  • NBL News

    The Next Step: Breakout player candidates for NBL27

    Every NBL pre-season, there is plenty of attention on players around the league who could take the next step in their professional basketball journey. A breakout can happen in different ways. For some players, it’s getting more opportunity. For an established player, it can mean building on what they have already achieved and elevating their game to another level. For others, it may simply take a new home where their skills can be maximised. Below are four players who I think are ready to break…

    READ MORE
  • Podcasts

    Mario Donaldson on THAT 1994 NBL Dunk Contest and his time playing with Sydney & Canberra

    Former Sydney Kings and Canberra Cannons import Mario Donaldson joins the podcast to revisit his time in the NBL, including competing in the famous 1994 NBL Dunk Contest, the highs and lows of his seasons in Sydney and Canberra, and the success he found playing around the world. Host Dan Boyce chats with Donaldson about arriving in Sydney in 1994 and playing alongside Leon Trimmingham, helping the Kings return to the playoffs and establishing himself as one of the league’s best outside shooters. Visit dunk.com.au…

    READ MORE
  • Podcasts

    Mitch McCarron on What Went Wrong in Adelaide, United’s 2021 Championship & Overachieving in Cairns

    Former NBL champion and Australian Boomer Mitch McCarron joins the podcast to reflect on retiring from professional basketball at just 32, what went wrong during his three seasons with the Adelaide 36ers, and narrowly missing out on representing Australia at an Olympics or World Cup. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with McCarron about the injuries which ultimately ended his NBL career, his transition into coaching and player relations, and why he continues to play basketball with Eltham…

    READ MORE
  • Podcasts

    Darnell Mee on Adelaide’s 2001 Heartbreak, Defending NBL legends and more

    Two-time NBL champion and five-time NBL Best Defensive Player Darnell Mee returns to the podcast to revisit the unfinished stories from one of the greatest careers in Australian basketball, including Adelaide’s heartbreaking 2001 playoff exit, his decision to leave the 36ers and the fight to keep the Cairns Taipans alive. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Mee about watching his son Micale build his own basketball career in Australia, the chemistry behind Adelaide’s back-to-back championships, becoming teammates…

    READ MORE
  • NBL History

    Australia’s Greatest Basketball Associations

    Junior basketball development is where the Australian basketball journey begins. Before players represent Australia or reach the NBL, most first learn the game through their local basketball association. While hundreds of rookies have entered the NBL over the years, the same junior basketball programs regularly appear in their backgrounds. Some associations have developed significantly more NBL talent than others, establishing themselves as important pathways into professional basketball. Until now, a complete record of the junior association responsible for developing every player to have competed in…

    READ MORE
  • Podcasts

    Matt Garrison on Winning Back-to-Back Titles with Multiple NBL Teams, NBA Opportunities and Aussie Hoops Impact Overseas

    Two-time NBL champion Matt Garrison joins the podcast to reflect on winning back-to-back championships with two different teams, helping the Wollongong Hawks claim their first NBL title in 2001 before joining the Adelaide 36ers and winning it all again in 2002. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Host Dan Boyce chats with Garrison about arriving in Wollongong as a mid-season import, adjusting from being a high-scoring starter to an important role off the bench, and being part of the Hawks team that…

    READ MORE
  • NBL History

    Beyond the Arc: The Greatest Shooters in NBL History

    In 1984, the NBL introduced the three-point line, forever altering the geometry of Australian basketball. Since then, the league has seen traditional snipers, stretch bigs and volume scorers completely revolutionise how offenses operate and defenses scramble. But as the modern game places a premium on spacing and perimeter shooting, a critical question arises: Who are the most efficient and devastating shooters in the 40-year history of the NBL? To cut through the noise, we have to look beyond raw percentages. By combining historical spreadsheet data…

    READ MORE

sekolahtoto