Awards Watch: November Edition

It’s been a jam-packed five rounds of NBL action with incredible performances from both individual and teams. Have we seen a couple of teams start to separate themselves as legitimate title contenders? How long until we see a couple of superstars who have been performing well off the bench, be rewarded with a starting spot? 

There's plenty of action taking place, so today Pete Hooley takes a look at some early candidates for the NBL’s major awards.

MVP

When it came to everyone picking their pre-season awards winners, it seemed like it was a choice in two for most people – Bryce Cotton or Xavier Cooks. And after five rounds we have seen some strong indications why, but also some new faces put their hand up to be acknowledged as one of the league’s best in NBL23. 

Cotton is the second-leading scorer in the league at 21.7 points per game, to go along with 5.4 rebounds and just over 4 assists. He’s also averaging 2 steals per game. His three-point percentage has picked up in recent weeks, but so has the need for him to put up big numbers night in and out for a Perth team that lacks some identity. Once the Wildcats find their niche, will Cotton deliver even more?

On the flip side, Xavier Cooks has been enormous on both ends for the reigning champions. Cooks is averaging 16.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. If it wasn’t for his struggles at the free-throw line, Cooks could easily be leading the league in scoring due to his 40 per cent from three-point attempts to start NBL23. 

At this point in the season, you could make a strong case for the performances of Keanu Pinder, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Mitch Creek to be considered MVP candidates, too. Each of these men have been crucial for their respective teams and show no signs of slowing down as the season continues. 

In the mix
Xavier Cooks
Bryce Cotton
Keanu Pinder
Xavier Rathan-Mayes
Mitch Creek

Xavier Cooks. 

Most Improved Player

It’s not often we see the reigning winner of the Most Improved Player award be a leading contender for it the following season, but that’s exactly what it looks like with Keanu Pinder’s current form. He is averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead a Cairns team that has surprised many with the way they have started NBL23. Pinder’s rise over the last 18 months has been nothing short of incredible. From a struggle at Adelaide in his rookie season, to earning a starting spot by the end of NBL22 and to now being an MVP contender. The question needs to be asked, just how good can Keanu Pinder be?

The pre-season pick for Most Improved, Will McDowell-White has started to really find his form over the course of the last few weeks. Controlling the offense for the Breakers and filling up the stat sheet has Mody Maor extremely pleased with the direction in which the team is going. Every piece of the New Zealand puzzle is important, but perhaps none are more so than McDowell-White.

In the mix
Keanu Pinder
Will McDowell-White
David Okwera
Luke Travers
Sam Froling
Izayah Le'Afa

Keanu Pinder. 

Best Defensive Player

If you ever needed proof that numbers don’t always tell the story, look no further than Xavier Cooks on the defensive end. Whilst his blocks and steals stats don’t jump out at you, if you watch his game close enough, you’ll see his major impact on that end. His positioning off the ball, ability to alter shots without fouling and being able to switch onto guards to contain, are all vital in the Kings success. It helps that he slides alongside another defensive powerhouse in Justin Simon, but best believe that the Kings defensive identity starts and finishes with their superstar Xavier Cooks.

Similarly to Cooks above, the Breakers have been one of the best defensive teams in the league after five rounds. Whilst they seem to be doing it with a collective buy-in, it’s hard to overlook the presence of their big man Derek Pardon, as their focal point on that end of the floor. His ball screen defence, ability to help on drives and wall up, are all leading factors as to why the Breakers are so strong defensively. 

In the mix
Xavier Cooks
Derek Pardon
Bul Kuol
Mitch Norton
Justin Simon

Dererk Pardon. 

Best Sixth Man

The eyes on the best sixth man will continue to heat up over the next few rounds as lineups begin to be settled across the league. Whether it was because of an injury or a shift in team balance, we have seen some players thrive in coming off the bench so far to start the season. There may not be a more electric scorer right now as a sixth man than Barry Brown Jr for the Breakers. His 21.2 points per game has him sitting third in the league and his aggression from the moment he checks into the game, sparks a noticeable energy lift for New Zealand. After originally starting in the backcourt alongside McDowell-White, good things have been happening for the Breakers since he came off the bench. Will that continue?

Keep an eye out on Rashard Kelly down in the apple isle, as well. He’s another one who has relished the look of coming off the bench, still playing starters minutes, and helping build the JackJumpers back to their best. It’s become a common practice within the NBL to bring an import off the bench and see how they fit amongst the team dynamic. Sometimes it works wonders, like Kelly and Brown Jr and sometimes it backfires.

In the mix
Barry Brown Jr
Luke Travers
Rashard Kelly
Majok Deng
Tyler Johnson

Rashard Kelly. 

Rookie of the Year

In a team full of exciting players to watch, Sam Waardenburg has transitioned into his professional career with ease to begin the season. Give a lot of credit to Adam Forde and co for recruiting a roster that will buy-in and flourish with his style of play, but take nothing away from the way Waardenburg has attacked this season. Averaging 10 points per game and shooting just under 40 per cent from the three, he’s looked every bit of the rookie of the year in his first seven games. Forde has already unlocked the potential of Pinder and Kuol before, could Waardenburg be the next start to shine from the snakes?

There are some interesting rules in regard to eligibility for the rookie of the year, but let’s give a quick shoutout to the development players of NBL23 who have had massive impacts to begin the season. It’s one thing to get an opportunity to play major minutes as a development player, but it’s another thing to be super productive. Kudos.

In the mix
Sam Waardenburg
David Okwera
Rayan Rupert
Junior Madut

Sam Waardenburg. 

Coach of the Year

Well, if none of the other awards are getting you excited with how competitive they’ll be, the Coach of the Year should do it. Where do you start? The Breakers sit top of the table after their impressive start to the season and a lot of that is due to Mody Maor and the way he’s got this team playing. Yes, it’s a normal home and away season for the Breakers, but they’ve clearly got everyone on board and believe in producing a special NBL23. Chase Buford has the Kings avoiding any chat of a championship hangover, and whilst they may have lost two games at home, they very well could be the deepest team across the league. Look no further than three bench guys closing out their win against Cairns in the clutch. Has Adam Forde unlocked the “Money Ball” equivalent of the NBL? Forde has put together a fast paced and high energy style of play that he’s recruited seemingly the perfect pieces to get good results from. 

In the mix
Mody Maor
Chase Buford
Adam Forde
Scott Roth
Simon Mitchell

Mody Maor.