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;

• Sam Waardenburg (Cairns)
• Sam Froling (Illawarra)
• Luke Travers (Perth)
• William McDowell-White (New Zealand)
• Dejan Vasiljevic (Sydney)

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.