NBL 2022: The stunning rise of Jaylen Adams, the NBL’s number 1 player
When Matt Logue ranked the top players pre-season, the Kings’ Jaylen Adams featured in the teens. Now, after leading his team to a commanding championship victory, he is the NBL’s number 1 player.
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The 2021/2022 NBL season had it all.
Unpredictable results, Perth not making the finals for the first time in 35 years, new boys on the block Tasmania JackJumpers creating history and surging to a grand final series and the Sydney Kings ending the franchise’s 17-year championship drought.
News Corp selected in the league’s top 20 players in the pre-season and let’s just say there has been plenty of movement and change following a memorable and highly competitive season.
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A host of championship-winning Kings stars have forced their way into or higher on our NBL’s top 20 players list following dominant seasons.
The standout is MVP-winning guard Jaylen Adams, who was ranked at 17 at the start of the season.
It was difficult to rank Adams higher given he hadn’t played in the NBL compared to other players with a proven record in the league.
The snub motivated the former Milwaukee Buck to prove that he was a world-class star, and one of the Australian league’s premier players.
Adams did exactly that — producing a brilliant individual campaign to collect the MVP, a championship and surge to No.1 on our list based on the 2021-2022 NBL season.
1. JAYLEN ADAMS (Sydney Kings)
Previous rank: 17
Stunning winner of the MVP, Adams is a big reason why the Sydney Kings won the NBL championship. One of the best imports in Kings history with his ability to dominate in all facets of the game.
Season stats: 20.79 pts, 5.13 rebounds and 5.83 assists
2. BRYCE COTTON (Perth Wildcats)
Previous rank: 1
Cotton was below his best this season compared to previous campaigns, but he was still a worthy finalist for the MVP. One of the best imports the league has ever seen.
Season stats: 22.68pts, 3.46 rebounds and 4.89 assists
3. XAVIER COOKS (Sydney Kings)
Previous rank: Not in top 20 due to injury-interrupted seasons
Catapults into the top three on the back of a career best NBL season. Injuries have held Cooks back in the past, but this season as he dominated at both ends of the floor to pick up a championship and a grand final series MVP. Next stop, the NBA.
Season stats: 15.55pts, 10.03 rebounds and 2.94 assists
The man himself, Xavier Cooks!!!#NBL22#WeTheKingspic.twitter.com/H4mHSs8Yl7
— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) May 11, 2022
4. MITCH CREEK (South East Melbourne Phoenix)
Previous rank: 5
Creek produced a standout season as the South East Melbourne Phoenix’s best player. Unfortunately, the Phoenix’s failure to make the finals didn’t help his cause for more praise.
Season stats: 20.46pts, 5.75 rebounds and 3.04 assists
5. JO LUAL-ACUIL JR (Melbourne United)
Previous rank: Not in top 20 at start of the season
Lual-Acuil Jr was a back-up player to Jock Landale at United last season, but he relished starting this year. The big man was brilliant in all facets of the game to earn an MVP finalist nomination.
Season stats: 16.43 points, 8.93 rebounds and 1.47 assists
6. ANTONIUS CLEVELAND (Illawarra Hawks)
Previous rank: Not in the top 20 at the start of the season
Cleveland was Illawarra’s defensive anchor and one of the league’s best performers. Justifiably named the defensive player of the year.
Season stats: 14.2 points, 6.57 rebounds and 2.27 assists
7. VIC LAW (Perth Wildcats)
Previous rank: 9
Law combined beautifully with Bryce Cotton at Perth to create one of the league’s best one-two punches.
Injury prematurely ended his season and it largely cost the Wildcats a finals berth for the first time in 35 years.
Season stats: 20.27pts, 8.19 rebounds and 1.77 assists
8. JOSH ADAMS (Tasmania JackJumpers)
Previous rank: Not in the top 20 at the start of the season
Produced a special first season in the NBL with the tenacious Tasmania JackJumpers. Adams was brilliant offensively to prove that he is one of the league’s best players.
Season stats: 17.47 points, 3.26 rebounds and 1.94 assists
9. JARELL MARTIN (Sydney Kings)
Previous rank: 13
Martin was Mr dependable for the championship-winning Sydney Kings this season with a magnificent campaign. Big on the boards, a presence in the paint and an underrated perimeter shooter.
Season stats: 15.84 points, 8.39 rebounds and 1 assist
10. DUOP REATH (Illawarra Hawks)
Previous rank: 11
The Boomers big man enjoyed an impressive first NBL season with his all-round ability. Reath has the size, physicality, and shooting.
Season stats: 15.57 points, 7.07 rebounds and 0.97 assists
11. YANNI WETZELL (New Zealand Breakers)
Previous rank: Not in the top 20 at the start of the season
The New Zealand Breakers struggled this season, but this bloke was brilliant.
Wetzell was consistent all year as the Breakers’ best player.
Season stats: 17.68 points, 8.23 rebounds and 1.27 assists
12. JOSH MAGETTE (Tasmania JackJumpers)
Previous rank: Not in the top 20 at the start of the season
Magette delivered a memorable season to help Tasmania make a historic grand final series.
He stuffed the stat sheet all season and will only get better after his big game grand final experience.
Season stats: 11.74 points, 4.06 rebounds and 5.94 assists
13. SHEA ILI (Melbourne United)
Previous rank: Not in the top 20 at the start of the season
This bloke was voted the NBL’s Sixth Man of the Year for a reason. Ili is one of the league’s best defenders and back up guards.
Season stats: 8.71 points, 2.77 rebounds and 3.87 assists
Still got it with me 😅 https://t.co/r00XT4EVtd
— Ian Clark (@IanClark) May 12, 2022
14. IAN CLARK (Sydney Kings)
Previous ranking: Not in the Top 20 at the start of the season
Recruit of the year. The Kings don’t win the title if he’s not there. Clark was enormous in the finals, especially the grand final series when star guard Jaylen Adams went down with a hamstring injury. He still had the grand final ball last time we checked.
Season stats: 13.94 points, 2.31 rebounds and 2.06 assists
15. TYLER HARVEY (Illawarra Hawks)
Previous rank: 3
Wasn’t as dominant as last season, especially offensively, and it cost the Hawks when it mattered in the semi-finals against the Sydney Kings.
Season stats: 16.07 points, 3.29 rebounds and 3.18 assists
16. ROBERT FRANKS (Brisbane Bullets)
Previous rank: Not in the top 20 at the start of the season
Voted Brisbane’s MVP in his first NBL season on the back of 12 double-doubles.
Franks is a joy to watch with his ability to impact all facets of the game.
Season stats: 18.19 points, 8.93 rebounds and 1.59 assists
17. XAVIER MUNFORD (South East Melbourne Phoenix)
Previous rank: Not in the top 20 at the start of the season
The Phoenix failed to make the playoffs, but Munford didn’t disappoint in his first NBL season. Athletically gifted while he makes an impact across the floor.
Season stats: 16.62 points, 3.96 rebounds and 4.35 assists
18. CHRIS GOULDING (Melbourne United)
Previous rank: 2
One of the NBL’s premier players with three championships to his name, but he wasn’t as dominant as previous seasons.
Injury prevented him from lining up in United’s crucial Game 3 semi-final clash against the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Season stats: 15.11 points, 2.21 rebounds and 1.93 assists
19. MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA (Melbourne United)
Previous ranking: 8
Dellavedova was never going to dominate offensively, but he was the perfect teammate at United with his selfless play.
He also had an enormous impact on his team’s culture while he made other players better.
Season stats: 10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.93 assists
20. NATHAN SOBEY (Brisbane Bullets)
Previous ranking: 4
Sobey would be significantly higher if injury didn’t prematurely end his season.
The Boomers bronze medallist is one of the NBL’s best players, so expect him to climb these rankings next season.
Season stats: 16.08 points, 4.17 rebounds and 3.58 assists
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