Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks has received his first NBL MVP award to take a seat alongside his grand ultimate MVP award.
Cooks polled 120 votes to win the Andrew Gaze Trophy forward of Perth Wildcats star Bryce Cotton (96 votes) and South East Melbourne’s Mitch Creek (80 votes).
Cotton hoped to turn into solely the second participant behind Gaze to win the MVP award 4 occasions. He missed the awards on account of private causes however will play in Thursday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Phoenix.
Cooks averaged 16.2 factors, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists and was a relentless defensive menace. He grew to become the second Sydney participant in as a few years to win the MVP award, following Jaylen Adams’ victory final season.
“It’s pretty crazy. I didn’t think it was going to happen,” Cooks mentioned.
“I’ve been in this league now for four years and really been a fan of this league since my whole childhood. Seeing so many great players come through this league – the Andrew Gaze’s, Andrew Bogut’s and Bryce Cotton’s of this world – to be on a list with those guys means a lot to me.”
Cotton, Cooks and Creek joined Sydney’s Derrick Walton Jr and Tasmania’s Milton Doyle within the All-NBL First Team. Cooks has been closely scouted by NBA groups who just lately despatched representatives to Australia to observe him enjoying reside.
He has a finals sequence developing however first mentioned he was decided to take pleasure in his success.
“It’s going to be a fun journey. I have no idea what’s going to happen,” Cooks mentioned.
“If I’m back here, I’m very thankful to be back here. If I’m over in the States that would be awesome too. I’m just going to enjoy the journey.”
WA’s Keanu PInder created historical past by changing into the primary man to win a number of Most Improved awards. The son of former Wildcat Tiny Pinder adopted on from final season’s success to even be named within the All-NBL Second Team.
“His ceiling is uncapped. He might win it three years in row,” Taipans coach Adam Forde mentioned.
New Zealand’s Dererk Pardon and Barry Brown Jr, Taipan DJ Hogg and and Melbourne captain Chris Goulding joined Pinder within the All-NBL Second staff.
Cairns had an enormous night time with Forde successful the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year, Sam Waardenburg beating Illawarra’s Sam Froling and Perth Wildcat Luke Travers for the Next Generation Award and CEO Mark Beecroft being named Executive of the Year.
Adelaide’s Antonius Cleveland received his second successive Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player. New Zealand’s Barry Brown Jr was named the Best Sixth Man, Adelaide’s Kai Sotto was voted the Fans’ MVP and Vaughn Mayberry took house referee of the yr.
Andrew Gaze Trophy – Most Valuable Player Xavier Cooks (Sydney) Most Improved Player Keanu Pinder (Cairns)
Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player Antonius Cleveland (Adelaide)
Best Sixth Man – offered by Marsh Barry Brown Jr (New Zealand)
Lindsay Gaze Trophy – Coach of the Year Adam Forde (Cairns)
Next Generation Award – offered by Champion Sam Waardenburg (Cairns)
All-NBL First Team Xavier Cooks (Sydney) Mitch Creek (South East Melbourne) Bryce Cotton (Perth) Milton Doyle (Tasmania) Derrick Walton Jr (Sydney) All-NBL Second Team Keanu Pinder (Cairns) Dererk Pardon (New Zealand) Barry Brown Jr (New Zealand) DJ Hogg (Cairns) Chris Goulding (Melbourne)
Referee of the Year – Presented by Europcar Vaughan Mayberry
Executive of the Year Mark Beecroft (Cairns) Fans’ MVP – Presented by Chemist Warehouse Kai Sotto (Adelaide) Gametime by Kmart Award Reuben Te Rangi (South East Melbourne)
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
