Phoenix stars headline NBL Awards nominations

The Phoenix have a player shortlisted for each of the main awards for the NBL 25/26 Awards night happening Monday, February 23.

A panel of experts selected nominees for the MVP, Next Generation Award, Best Sixth Man, Damian Martin Trophy for the Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player. The panel of experts for the awards comprised of Andrew Gaze, Olgun Uluc, Derek Rucker, Michael Cedar and John Casey.

Following this, coaches and captains from each of the 10 teams cast their votes, with individuals unable to vote for players from their own club. The NBL will reveal the three finalists in each category following the conclusion of voting.

The nominees are:

Andrew Gaze Trophy for the Most Valuable Player

• John Brown III (Phoenix)
• Zylan Cheatham (Adelaide)
• Xavier Cooks (Sydney)
• Bryce Cotton (Adelaide)
• Kendrick Davis (Sydney)
• Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania)
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand)
• JaVale McGee (Illawarra)
• Jack McVeigh (Cairns)
• Kristian Doolittle (Perth)‍
• Nathan Sobey (Phoenix)

Best Sixth Man

• Majok Deng (Tasmania)
• Angus Glover (Phoenix)
• Will Hickey (Illawarra)
• Kouat Noi (Sydney)
• Nick Rakocevic (Adelaide)

Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year

• John Brown III (Phoenix)
• Xavier Cooks (Sydney)
• Kristian Doolittle (Perth)
• Bul Kuol (Sydney)
• Will Magnay (Tasmania)
• Nick Marshall (Tasmania)
• Tyson Walker (United)

Most Improved Player

• Josh Bannan (Tasmania)
• Flynn Cameron (Adelaide)
• Owen Foxwell (Phoenix)
• Makuach Maluach (Sydney)
• Nick Marshall (Tasmania)
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)

Next Generation Award

• Owen Foxwell (Phoenix)
• Jaylin Galloway (Sydney)
• Ben Henshall (Perth)
• Karim Lopez (New Zealand)
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)

All coaches remain in contention for the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year, while every player is eligible for selection in the All-NBL First and Second Teams, Fans’ MVP and the Gametime by Kmart Award. The Executive of the Year and Referee of the Year will also be announced during the evening.

The Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night will be broadcast on Disney+ and Kayo from 7:30pm AEDT on Monday 23 February.