Awards Watch - November, 2023

We’re a quarter into this thrilling NBL season and whilst some teams may have surprised fans so far, what do the major awards look like at this stage? Let’s dive into it. 

There are a couple of things to remember right now when looking at the early MVP race. On the one hand, team performance tends to matter as well as individual brilliance when deciding who is the most valuable player in the league. With teams like New Zealand and Cairns playing catch up for the number of games played, players like Parker Jackson-Cartwright may feature later in the season, once the team finds their groove.

Right now, Nathan Sobey is playing at another level. He’s averaging career-high points, rebounds and steals and has his Bullets team sitting in a decent position when you consider the losses of Aron Baynes and Shannon Scott. What has really stood out so far to me is that he’s relishing playing in his usual position off the ball, where he can create for himself and others and be the number one threat every night. Another guy who would likely be leading the charge if he didn’t miss the first few games is Alan Williams. The big man for the Phoenix has absolutely dominated since returning from injury and it’s no surprise that his team is rolling right now. He put the heat on himself on NBL Overtime saying he was going for this award, which if he continues to play at this level, then why not?

The star duo in the Apple Isle of Jordon Crawford and Milton Doyle have also started the season strongly and are both in the conversation as the Jackjumpers look the goods. However, will they take too many votes off each other in the eyes of the voting panel at season’s end? It’s a bit like the hottest team in the competition, Melbourne United, with a handful of guys who have started NBL24 on fire but who would be their most consistent star so far? Maybe Luke Travers or Ariel Hukporti?

In the mix
Nathan Sobey
Alan Williams
Milton Doyle
Jordon Crawford
Patrick Miller

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nathan Sobey with the moves ?<br><br>? Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a> LIVE on ESPN! <a href="https://t.co/thq6Ajkdoh">pic.twitter.com/thq6Ajkdoh</a></p>&mdash; ESPN Australia &amp; NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/1718503819519172880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

My favourite part of this award is how more often than not you won’t realize how good a player has been defensively until their name is brought up in this conversation and then you focus on their next few games and it makes sense. A guy like Sam McDaniel, for instance, has been a huge part of the Bullets' early-season form - look no further than Round 5 where he held Bryce Cotton and Milton Doyle to seven points each. He’s a no fuss guy who uses his strength and athleticism to his advantage in one-on-one matchups. 

Jaylin Galloway was probably my leading choice before he got hurt. However, I have no doubt he will come back and feature prominently in this award at the end of the season. Ariel Hukporti and Shea Ili have both started the season strongly for United, who have the best defensive team in the league by some margin. Finally, back to my first point on players flying under the radar, someone like Craig Moller for the Phoenix has gone about his business on that side of the ball very well since returning to the league. Crashing the glass, getting in passing lanes and contesting shots has him as a vital piece for the Phoenix success. 

In the mix
Sam McDaniel
Jaylin Galloway 
Shea Ili
Bul Kuol
Craig Moller

Sam McDaniel defends South East Melbourne's Mitch Creek.

Well, where to start here? There have been a few standouts in the beginning of the season who seem to have taken their game to another level. But perhaps the one leading the charge hasn’t necessarily gone to a new level, but rather found consistency in what he does best and that’s Luke Travers. Travers seems to be relishing his new environment at Melbourne and looks very comfortable on both ends of the floor. Similarly, Jaylin Galloway for the Kings has lived up to the off-season hype and looks destined to have a massive future. 

He hasn’t played as many games yet as some others, but DJ Vasiljevic might enter this conversation as the season progresses. It’s early days, but he’s averaging career best numbers, not only scoring wise but also on the glass and assists. I’m on board for the Bul Kuol evolution in NBL24 as well. Kuol has been well known as one of the best defensive players in the league and we are now seeing him become an offensive threat for Adam Forde and the Taipans look at their best because of it. 

In the mix
Luke Travers
Jaylin Galloway
Bul Kuol
Ben Ayre
Tyrell Harrison
DJ Vasiljevic 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome back to The Jungle Luke Travers ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/tGP1O5e9sD">pic.twitter.com/tGP1O5e9sD</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1712782648849174561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The criteria on who is eligible for this award will mean that players will likely come and go from this list before the back end of the season. For example, my pre-season pick of Ian Clark has lived up to the hype so far with his play, yet has started many games with injuries to others. Similar with his teammates Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti, whose roles may switch soon. The same could be said for someone like Finn Delany, who has come off the bench recently for the Breakers, before having to start with recent injuries. 

Alex Sarr started the season really strongly for Perth, before tailing off recently with the Wildcats' recent struggles. For the Bullets, big man Tyrell Harrison may be a sleeper for Best Sixth Man if he continues his form when Baynes returns. Harrison has been huge for Brisbane in helping steady the ship in the absence of their starting big man. Kouat Noi, someone who relishes his role of coming in off the bench and letting it fly has been great for Sydney to begin the season, averaging 13 points per game. 

In the mix
Ian Clark
Kouat Noi
Tyrell Harrison
Bobi Klintman
Ben Ayre

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ian Clark from long range ? <br><br>Watch live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/USuOKtkGaH">pic.twitter.com/USuOKtkGaH</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1717833263471821149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The second time this award will be given out and I’m all on board for the new look rookie of the year. Remember that any player is eligible as long as they are under 25-years-old by April 30 of the conclusion of the season. 

Luke Travers and teammate Ariel Hukporti would be two names early in this season who have their fingerprints over this, with both being crucial to United’s early season success. Last year’s winner, Sam Waardenburg, has also looked to have taken a step forward in every facet of his game and is relishing the opportunity to be a leading man on this young Taipans team. Waardenburg’s teammate and Next Star, Bobi Klintman, has shown flashes of why he is projected to be a first round pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Alex Toohey is another youngster who has taken his opportunity this season and not looked back, averaging over 10 points per game with five rebounds. Along with his teammate, Jaylin Galloway, the future is bright for Sydney’s youngsters. 

In the mix
Luke Travers
Ariel Hukporti
Jaylin Galloway
Sam Waardenburg
Bobi Klintman

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;That&#39;s a grown man dunk.&quot; ?<br><br>Ariel Hukporti finishes with a ferocious slam ?<br><br>Watch live and free on ESPN2 via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach &amp; 10 Play ? <a href="https://t.co/M3gLEmlPg3">pic.twitter.com/M3gLEmlPg3</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1718472787956990351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Right now this is a one horse race, with Melbourne United looking every bit the early favourite to win it all this season. Dean Vickerman is a well-known mastermind when it comes to getting his team to be elite defensively, but also juggling the task of having a very deep and talented team. Right now, this team is firing on all cylinders and it’s crazy to think that they are yet to play a single game with their full roster. Ironically, two other coaches who have their teams looking good at this point in the season, were previously assistants under Vickerman. Both Justin Schueller and Mike Kelly have the Bullets and Phoenix in a strong position after some shaky patches early on.

In the mix
Dean Vickerman
Justin Schueller
Scott Roth
Mike Kelly
Adam Forde

Dean Vickerman.