Crosscourt: Latest NBL news following the end of the 2024-25 regular season
Bryce Cotton may as well prepare his victory speech now, even his peers say so. CROSSCOURT looks at every award finalist, the finals schedule and more.
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Opposing players say the race for this year’s NBL MVP isn’t even close – Bryce Cotton should prepare a fifth victory speech now.
The Perth superstar has been the a near-consensus unanimous pick for MVP all year and those who see his exploits up close say it’s for good reason.
Cotton’s nearest challenger, Adelaide’s Kendric Davis, has been an elite performer, producing 25.6 points and 8 assists in a rollercoaster season that has the 36ers back in the NBL postseason for the first time since 2018.
Aside from the otherworldly scoring exploits – his 28.6 points per game, the highest in 25 years – Cotton’s fitness, basketball conditioning and ability in the clutch is second-to-none.
One player who has had to guard both Cotton and Davis multiple times this season says the four-time MVP, 32, is a physical and mental “nightmare” compared to the less experienced Davis, 25, in his first professional gig outside the US.
“Kendric is great, he is so fast with the ball, but Bryce is on another level,” the player said.
“One of the biggest differences is Bryce’s movement without the ball. There’s no let up and it’s like he knows before you do if you’ve lost concentration and he never misses an opportunity to take advantage.
“Blink and he’s gone. Davis with the ball is so hard to stop but he doesn’t move without it and that’s where you can get your rest.”
Another player said Bryce’s basketball intelligence allowed him to maximise his physical gifts better than any player in the league.
“The way Bryce controls his body ... he stops and changes direction faster than anyone I’ve ever guarded,” the player said.
“Once that happens, it’s over for you.
“Even when you’ve done everything right, he loses you and he’s coming off a screen and hitting a three or getting to the free-throw line.”
Davis has paid tribute to Cotton a number of times this season – and the Wildcats superstar has repaid the complements with a pair of 49-point explosions on his younger protege.
BEST SIXTH MAN
Just as Cotton should be the runaway MVP winner, Sydney’s Kouat Noi might have an even tighter grip on Sixth Man of the Year.
Hell, despite the MVP bluster around Xavier Cooks and Jaylen Adams, the 27-year-old might be the Kings’ team MVP.
Without the South Sudan-born forward’s scoring off the bench, the Kings’ season might have been over by now.
Noi poured in nearly 15 points per game and shot the three ball at 39.2 per cent – on nearly six attempts per game. Eight times, Noi has exploded for 20 or more, including a 32-point masterpiece against Tassie.
For so many years, Noi showed elite potential, but never quite took the next step. In a rough season for the Kings, he has been the club’s brightest light as a player who was desperate to stay, becoming one of coach Brian Goorjian’s favourites.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The man whose name is on the trophy reckons this year’s best defender is a flip of the coin between reigning winner Shea Ili of Melbourne United and Illawarra’s standout stopper Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.
Damian Martin, who was Defensive Player of the Year a remarkable six times, would be fine with either man’s name being called for his award.
“I think both have been equally impressive when it comes to creating headaches for the opposition’s best perimeter player,” Martin told Crosscourt.
“Wani, with his athleticism, quick hands and wingspan and Shea with his physicality, quick feet and competitiveness makes him a headache for anyone with ball in hand.
“Both have done a wonderful job in flat out denying their players at times to prevent them from even having the ball in hand.”
Ili claimed the award last season and, while Swak has been superb, the Kiwi remains on a level above everyone else in the unique things he does on the court defensively.
Tassie’s Will Magnay might have been the frontrunner – but he only played 13 of a possible 29 games, his inclusion a test
ament to the difference he made at the defensive end when healthy.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dean Vickerman keeps on keeping on at Melbourne United and Josh King has led an incredible turn around at South East Melbourne but the Coach of the Year has to be the main man in the ‘Gong.
A finalist in last year’s CoY award after taking over mid-season and leading the Hawks to a semi-final berth, Justin Tatum made sure he wasn’t a one-hit wonder, powering Illawarra to it’s first ever minor premiership.
Tatum’s mob is as tight as a drum, they don’t turn the ball over and they execute with ruthless precision. The American has found the perfect balance between leadership, mentorship and wielding a heavy hand when needed.
The Hawks are the NBL title favourite and it’d be a shock if he didn’t take home the Lindsay Gaze Award on Monday night.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
All three candidates have a legitimate chance of winning this category following breakout seasons. Tyrell Harrison solidified his position as Brisbane’s best big man with a dominant season despite the Bullets’ struggles. Harrison showcased growth in points, rebounds and minutes played in NBL25.
Across at South East Melbourne, young guard Owen Foxwell became a reliable bench weapon for the Phoenix.
Foxwell has made the most of more court time this season and is a worthy contender for MIP. In Perth, guard Ben Henshall has arguably made the biggest leap this season. In NBL24, Henshall averaged just 6.1 minutes but has jumped to 23.5 minutes this season. This has allowed him to improve in every key statistical area to make a strong case as the NBL’s Most Improved Player.
NEXT GENERATION AWARD
This is a hotly contested category with three super talented youngsters capable of reaching the highest of heights in the hoops world. Alex Toohey has been magnificent in his second season for the Sydney Kings, averaging 10.6 points and 4 rebounds. Ben Henshall is also right in the mix following a remarkable rise at Perth, while Carins guard Taran Armstrong is the favourite in many people’s minds following a brilliant season for the Taipans.
Armstrong has caught the eye of multiple NBA teams after averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He dropped a dominant triple-double (28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) in Cairns’ final home game against Brisbane on Thursday. Armstrong is expected to receive a chance in the NBA, but if he returns to the NBL he’ll have plenty of teams interested in his services.
NBL FINALS SCHEDULE
Booted off RAC Arena for a Kylie Minogue concert, Perth Wildcats, on Tuesday night, will host the first game of the 2024-25 NBL postseason at the old Challenge Stadium.
The third-placed Wildcats will host South East Melbourne, fourth, in the Seeding Qualifier at 9.30pm AEDT, the winner earning direct passage to the semi finals and a date with Melbourne United.
The Red Army has been in a bit of a Hunger Games for tickets, with thousands of members missing out at Perth HPC, which is about a third of the size of the 13,500+ capacity at RAC.
Sydney’s battle to keep its season alive continues on Thursday night at Qudos Bank Arena, where the fifth-placed Kings will be hoping to erase a horror record against Adelaide, having lost each of the past three meetings between the two teams and both at their home.
The loser of that play-in qualifier’s season is over, while the winner gets another chance, against the beaten seeding qualifier.
That play-in game will be played on Sunday, hosted by either the Phoenix at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena or back at RAC Arena if the Wildcats are forced to take the hard road.
NBL’S BACK TO BACK MILLION-FAN MARCH
Basketball fans continue to vote with their feet, the NBL’s millionth attendee walking through the gate during Friday night’s Perth v Adelaide clash at RAC Arena.
It’s the second year in a row the league has achieved that mark, on the back of 48 sellout games – 28 of those shared by the 36ers and Tasmania.
League chief executive David Stevenson said the milestone was “testament to the unwavering passion of our incredible fans”.
“The unprecedented rate at which the NBL continues to grow is clear and the appetite for our league is growing every year,” Stevenson said.
“We look forward to welcoming more fans through the gates and can’t wait to begin our biggest and best Finals Series yet.”
ADAMS’ BRAIN EXPLOSION
Sydney Kings star Jaylen Adams will cop the fine to play in Thursday’s sudden death eliminator against Adelaide, but what was he thinking with that eye gouge?
Adams is lucky he wasn’t slapped with a one-game ban for making contact to the eye region of Illawarra’s Wani Swaka Lo Buluk during Friday’s loss to Illawarra.
He was clearly frustrated with the Kings’ poor performance, but he overstepped the mark.
Sydney has enough to worry about without losing Adams for a game.
Thankfully, he’ll be available to play but he owes the Kings a big performance against Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday.
The Sixers have beaten Sydney three times this season – including two comprehensive losses by 15 and 10 points.
Adelaide’s formidable frontcourt is a bad match-up for an undersized Kings side already without backup big man Keli Leaupepe (hamstring).
36ers’ bigs Isaac Humphries and Montrezl Harrell have the potential to dominate in the paint.
It’s still unknown if the Kings captain Xavier Cooks will be back for the play-in as he deals with a personal issue.
ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS BIDS FAREWELL
It would be remiss of Crosscourt not to tip the hat to one of the NBL’s good guys – big man Dane Pineau – who announced his retirement this week.
Pineau made the surprise call to hang up the sneakers after New Zealand’s final home game against Illawarra.
The Melbourne-born big man walks away with 161 NBL games to his name for three clubs in Sydney, the Phoenix and the Breakers.
Pineau is highly respected by his peers as the ultimate teammate, on-and-off the court.
He has also showcased remarkable resilience to keep his career alive despite suffering multiple injuries.
In 2021, Pineau’s back was in so much pain that he couldn’t sit at the family table for Christmas lunch.
A serious back injury, which required multiple injections, left him bedridden over a month and fearing he’d never play again.
Fortunately, he pushed through a mentally draining six month recovery to return to the court for the Phoenix.
This is just one example of Pineau’s strong character that has helped him earn universal praise in the NBL.
Tyler Robertson has left the game after this play.
— Pleb (@SuperCoachPleb) February 7, 2025
There was no foul call. #NBL#NBL25pic.twitter.com/eFkO66CeBs
ROBERTSON ROBBED A FOUL
Crosscourt isn’t in the business of taking aim at referees, but how did they miss a clear foul on Sydney Kings guard Tyler Robertson during Friday’s Kings versus Hawks clash?
Robertson went up for a layup with seven minutes remaining in the second quarter when he was barrelled to the ground by Hawks forward Mason Peatling.
Peatling went up attempting to block Robertson, but made clear contact that forced the rattled King to leave the court.
It’s this type of inconsistency that frustrates players and clubs and Robertson is entitled to feel disappointed with the non-call.
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