MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
JAKE BECKETT: STEPHEN MAXWELL, LIGHTNING
This one was easier than I expected. Maxwell has been the best player on one of the best teams all season long. It’s hard to forget that this guy is fresh out of college yet he’s one of the few players in league history to average a double-double. Oh, and he broke the single season rebounding record in his first season as well. His rebounding and scoring aside, he shoots at an impressive clip (.60%). London just has not been the same team without Maxwell and he’s a big reason they are back atop the Central Division standings and among the league's elite teams.
MATTHEW LATOUR: STEPHEN MAXWELL, LIGHTNING
Stephen Maxwell has been a force at both ends of the court this season. Averaging a double-double per game with points (18.43) and rebounds (11.68), plus he has put up some big numbers against Windsor, Halifax and Saint John showing that he can perform against the best teams in the league. Maxwell also ranks 2nd in the NBLC for field goal percentage at 60%, he is a smart player that gets a lot of good looks as well as tough baskets when needed.
MARTY THOMPSON: STEPHEN MAXWELL, LIGHTNING
This really is a no-brainer. It’s hard to imagine where London would be without the rebounds he brings down. His 447+ boards shattered the previous single-season NBLC record, making him one of the best performers in NBLC history. Couple his rebounding skills with the 18ppg he has put up, he truly is the most valuable player in the league this year.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JAKE BECKETT: IAN McCARTHY, MILL RATS
JAKE BECKETT: LOGAN STUTZ, RIVER LIONS
Stutz took the NBLC by storm this season and never looked back. The 6’9 forward quickly became a fan favorite and a dominant scoring force for the league’s newest franchise. Posting averages of 21.62 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per, Stutz has solidified himself as one of the most prolific scorers the league has ever season. If the River Lions would have ended the season with a better record, there is no reason why he could not have been MVP.
MATTHEW LATOUR: LOGAN STUTZ, RIVER LIONS
While this is a close one, I think Logan Stutz comes away with the narrow win. He may not have the defensive prowess that Stover does, but his output offensively is 2nd to none in the NBL. The league's leading scorer in his first year for Niagara with 21.5 points per game. He has carried the load for the River Lions for the majority of the season and has adapted to the North American game very well.
MARTY THOMPSON: LOGAN STUTZ, RIVER LIONS
We’ve never seen a player come into the NBLC and dominate as early and as often as Logan Stutz did. Literally leading the league in scoring the entire season, Stutz has made his River Lions squad very competitive as they head into the playoffs.
CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JAKE BECKETT: WARREN WARD, LIGHTNING
This was a slim year for Canadians that really stood out. Richard Amardi very well could have walked away with this award if it wasn’t for the poor first half of the season. Despite suffering from inconsistency at times, Ward has shown he can heat up when needed. He scored more total points than any other Canadian, the next leading scorer had 59 points less. The second year guard lead his Lightning to victories on more than a few occasions and was pivotal in both a starting role and off the bench.
MATTHEW LATOUR: TYRONE WATSON, A'S
Tyrone Watson is the 3rd leading scorer on his team averaging 15.9 points per game this season. The Hamilton, Ontario native is well above the rest of the nominees for this award in points, and he also averages 6.7 rebounds per game to go along with his impressive 65.3% shooting.
MARTY THOMPSON: RICKY VOLCY, MILL RATS
Volcy is probably the best role player in the league this year. He continually comes off the bench on a star-studded Mill Rats team and gets the job done. His 12 ppg and 6.2rpg are a very tidy numbers for the defensive stalwart.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
JAKE BECKETT: STEPHEN MAXWELL, LIGHTNING
In only his first pro year Maxwell joined an elite group of players to have averaged double-doubles in a season in the NBLC. He also broke the single season records for rebounds. He's fresh out of college and he's already a leader for the best team in the Central Division. If he's MVP, he's gotta win the Rookie of the year as well. Justin Moss was a close second, he posted near identical numbers to Maxwell but his team's play and Maxwell's better defensive ability held him back.
MATTHEW LATOUR: STEPHEN MAXWELL, LIGHTNING
Maxwell has been dominant in his first season, leading the London Lightning back to the top of the NBLC's Central Division, and in convincing fashion. He can rebound and score and is so important to his team's performance every night. Most certainly does not look like he is straight from college and can be a dominant player in the NBLC for years to come.
MARTY THOMPSON: JUSTIN MOSS, A'S
Maxwell could have easily received this award, but Justin Moss is more deserving in my eyes. As Orangeville’s only consistent performer, he’s been single-handedly keeping his team in games with his effective post play and rebounding. Considering his age (22), he has been a great leader for the A’s this season.
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
JAKE BECKETT: IAN McCARTHY, MILL RATS
The team McCarthy was able to put together in Saint John this season was something special. With two former league MVPs in Gabe Freeman and Mr. NBLC, Anthony Anderson, and a supporting cast made up of seasoned vets and impactful newcomers. McCarthy put together a championship caliber team while engaging the fans in Saint John and seeing record attendance this season.
MATTHEW LATOUR: IAN McCARTHY, MILL RATS
McCarthy acquired 2 former NBLC MVPs in Gabe Freeman and Anthony Anderson. Also reeled in Anthony Stover and Doug Herring, who have been huge parts of the Mill Rats success down the stretch. A great job recruiting players and making the Mill Rats one of the most feared teams in the NBLC.
MARTY THOMPSON: RICHARD PETKO, RIVER LIONS
Petko and his Niagara ownership group have done an unbelievable job establishing the River Lions in their first year. Plentiful corporate sponsors, great game day atmosphere, professional presentation and a decent team has made the River Lions one of the best expansion franchises in league history.
COACH OF THE YEAR
JAKE BECKETT: HUGO LOPEZ, HURRICANES
Was a toss up between Julius and Lopez but I have to give the nod to coach Lopez in his first year. Halifax is the best team and it’s in no small part do to the way Lopez has been running his team.
MATTHEW LATOUR: HUGO LOPEZ, HURRICANES
The best team in the NBLC was the Halifax Hurricanes, and a huge part in that is the coaching of Hugo Lopez. He has kept this team consistent without many slides, something that is very tough in this league. He can win close games and Halifax has also blown out its fair share of teams.
MARTY THOMPSON: HUGO LOPEZ, HURRICANES
Hard to look past Hugo on this one. His coaching has kept the Hurricanes a consistent bunch that is favourites to go all the way.
6TH MAN OF THE YEAR
JAKE BECKETT: MIKE GLOVER, HURRICANES
Spent most of the year leading his team in rebounding and scoring. Glover started only 2 games this season for his Hurricanes. Easily a MVP candidate early in the season, Glover was a key factor in the Hurricanes success. Coined “The First Hurricane”, Glover became a fan favourite of Halifax faithful.
MATTHEW LATOUR: MIKE GLOVER, HURRICANES
Glover was the second leading scorer on his team and he comes off the bench. Averages almost 17 points per game to go with almost 8 rebounds on a nightly basis. 6 performances over 25 points and has created some huge match-up problems for other teams.
MARTY THOMPSON: KIRK WILLIAMS JR, EXPRESS
Last year’s NBLC Finals MVP Kirk Williams Jr. has picked up where he left off. As a true sixth man, Williams has been one of the most effective players in the league this season. Putting up a tidy 13ppg, 6rpg in limited minutes, Williams is a piece that every NBLC team wants.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JAKE BECKETT: ANTHONY STOVER, MILL RATS
Stover in a landslide. No other player came close. Stover posted more blocks by himself than three of the teams in the league. If you need more numbers, Stover broke the single season blocks record, set by Cavell Johnson, by the halfway point of the season. At 6’11", the UCLA product, was by far the best defensive big man the NBLC has seen to date.
MATTHEW LATOUR: ANTHONY STOVER, MILL RATS
Anthony Stover has been a force to be reckoned with this season for the Saint John Mill Rats. Destroying the total blocks in a season record, averaging 4.03 blocks per game, including 11 games with 6 blocks or more, including a 10 block performance against Halifax on January 13th. He has been held without a block for just 4 games of his first 31.Rebounding-wise, he is also among the league's best, sitting 5th in rebounds per game and 7th in total rebounds. A true powerhouse and perhaps the most intimidating player in the NBL standing at 6'11 and weighing 245 pounds.
MARTY THOMPSON: ANTHONY STOVER, MILL RATS
Speaking of record-breakers (and no-brainers), Anthony Stover has been the most explosive defensive players in NBLC history. After doubling the NBLC record for most blocks in a season (smashing Cavell Johnson’s 66 with 132 of his own), it's hard to look past a guy who has been that effective at a defensive skill.