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NBL Awards Finalists: The Hits, The Misses, and the Biggest Snubs

Dan Boyce

The NBL has officially announced the finalists for its end-of-season awards, sparking plenty of debate among fans and analysts. With categories including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player, this year’s selections have drawn praise and controversy, with some notable snubs and unexpected inclusions.

MVP Race: Cotton Leading the Pack?

The three finalists for the league’s top individual honour are Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats), Kendric Davis (Adelaide 36ers), and Matt Hurt (South East Melbourne Phoenix). Cotton, a three-time MVP, is considered the frontrunner after another stellar season, averaging a career-high 28.6 points per game and leading Perth to an 18-11 record. Davis, despite his impressive individual stats (25.6 points, 8.0 assists per game), may struggle to overcome his team’s sub-.500 record. Hurt, meanwhile, has been instrumental in the Phoenix’s resurgence after a slow start.

While Davis delivered an incredible debut season for Adelaide, it’s clear most fans feel Cotton has the award locked up thanks to his 59-point explosion earlier in the year and leading Perth to a top-three finish.

Best Defensive Player: Magnay’s Controversial Inclusion

The Defensive Player of the Year category has sparked heated discussion, with Shea Ili (Melbourne United), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (Illawarra Hawks), and Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers) making the final three. While Ili and Swaka Lo Buluk have been dominant defensive forces all season, Magnay’s inclusion has drawn criticism as he played only 13 of 29 games this season.

Magnay’s inclusion feels unfair and unwarranted, especially considering Sydney Kings forward Xavier Cooks, who played 28 of 29 games and anchored the team’s defence, should have been an obvious choice.

Cooks has been a defensive powerhouse for the Kings, averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game, showcasing his ability to protect the rim and disrupt opposing offence. His defensive rating of 106.4—which measures the number of points a team concedes per 100 possessions while he’s on the floor—further underscores his impact. A lower defensive rating signifies stronger defensive contributions and Cooks’ presence has been instrumental in solidifying the Kings as one of the league’s top defensive teams.

Most Improved Player: Armstrong’s Snub Raises Eyebrows

One of the most surprising omissions from the NBL awards finalists was Taran Armstrong missing out on a Most Improved Player nomination. The three finalists—Ben Henshall (Perth Wildcats), Owen Foxwell (South East Melbourne Phoenix), and Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets)—have all made significant strides, but Armstrong’s statistical leap (17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists per game) arguably outshines them all.

Henshall saw his scoring jump from 4.5 points per game last season to 12.3 this year, a notable increase in offensive production. Foxwell also made impressive gains, improving from 3.8 points and 1.2 assists per game last season to 9.5 points and 3.7 assists this year, stepping into a more prominent role for the Phoenix. Meanwhile, Harrison, despite playing just 20 games this season, elevated his numbers from 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season to 11.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, solidifying his presence in Brisbane’s frontcourt.

While each of these players has shown meaningful improvement, Armstrong’s all-around impact, particularly in scoring and playmaking, makes his exclusion from the Most Improved Player finalists one of the biggest snubs of the awards season.

Next Generation Award: Lopez Deserving of More Recognition?

The Next Generation Award finalists are Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings), Ben Henshall (Perth Wildcats), and Taran Armstrong (Cairns Taipans). While Armstrong’s snub in the Most Improved Player category was surprising, his stellar season (17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists per game) makes him a strong favourite to take home this award.

However, many believe 17-year-old Karim Lopez (New Zealand Breakers) also deserves recognition, having showcased remarkable poise and impact beyond his years. Averaging [insert stats], Lopez has made a strong case for the award, with Liam Santamaria, GM of the Next Stars program, stating that he deserves to win in the “true spirit of the award.” His youth and rapid development have sparked discussions about whether the criteria for this category should evolve to highlight emerging young stars more effectively.

I wasn’t a fan of the league replacing the Rookie of the Year award with the Next Generation Award, but if this is the direction they’re committed to, perhaps it’s time to introduce a Developmental Player of the Year award. Rebranding it as the Rising Star Award would not only honour the rising star competitions of the 1990s but also shine a spotlight on the young talent being developed locally.

A prime candidate for such an award would be Alex Higgins-Titsha of the Cairns Taipans, who delivered 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists against Brisbane this week. His development and impact in limited minutes highlight exactly the type of young player that deserves recognition in our league.

Sixth Man of the Year: Noi’s Award to Lose, but Hickey’s “Feel Good” Story Shines

Kouat Noi (Sydney Kings), Ian Clark (Melbourne United), and Will Hickey (Illawarra Hawks) have all made their mark coming off the bench, but this award feels like a lock for Noi.

Averaging 14.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, while shooting a lights-out 40.1% from three on 5.8 attempts per game, Noi’s ability to swing the momentum of a game with his athleticism and shooting has made him a crucial piece of the Kings’ rotation. He has consistently been one of the league’s best scoring threats off the bench and is the logical choice among the nominees, even over his highly credentialed teammate Cam Oliver.

While Noi is the runaway favourite, Will Hickey has emerged as the feel-good story of the award. He’ll have his supporters thanks to his defensive energy and hustle, which have made him a fan favourite in Illawarra. His 7.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game don’t tell the full story, as his impact extends beyond the box score. The Hawks’ +266 plus-minus with Hickey on the floor is the best in the league for a non-starter, showcasing his defensive presence and ability to spark runs when he checks in. Still, his case doesn’t quite stack up against Noi’s offensive firepower and consistency.

It’s also a testament to how far the NBL has come that former NBA talents like Clark, Marcus Lee (Melbourne), and Cam Oliver (Sydney) were all in contention for this award. Seeing ex-NBA players thriving in a bench role highlights the league’s growing depth and professionalism. It also reflects a shift in mentality among imports—rather than trying to pad their stats for a European contract, more players are embracing team roles and viewing the NBL as a legitimate long-term destination for their international careers.

Coach of the Year: Tatum, the Clear Favorite

Justin Tatum (Illawarra Hawks), Dean Vickerman (Melbourne United), and Josh King (South East Melbourne Phoenix) are the finalists for Coach of the Year. Tatum appears to be the overwhelming favourite after leading the Hawks to their first-ever No. 1 seed. King also deserves recognition for turning around the Phoenix’s season after a 0-5 start, while Vickerman has once again kept United among the league’s best.

One of the notable omissions is John Rillie (Perth Wildcats), who guided his team to a strong finish despite injuries and lineup changes. Some fans have pointed out that he deserved at least a nomination.

As always, the NBL’s award nominations have fueled plenty of discussion, with some clear standouts and some decisions that will be debated for weeks. The awards will be handed out at the Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night on February 10, with fans and players eager to see who takes home the top honours.

What are your thoughts on the nominations? Did the selection panel get it right, or were there major snubs?

Dan Boyce (828 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.


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