Cleveland takes home back-to-back Damian Martin Trophies

Antonius Cleveland has claimed back-to-back Damian Martin Trophy wins as the NBL Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday night.

The 196cm swingman claimed the award from New Zealand’s Dererk Pardon and Melbourne United guard Shea Ili.

Cleveland won the award in NBL22 when he was at Illawarra Hawks, and this second success shows why he is regarded as the NBL’s premier defender.

Cleveland was delighted to take the award home once again, saying it symoblises him.

"It feels good, I wish we were playing on Thursday, but this is what I play for, this symbols me," he said.

"I'm all about defence and helping my team win, it's kind of eased that pain not playing post-season.

"I would give this back to play on Thursday, I would.

"We had a rough season but I love that I gave my teammates something to be happy about tonight and I couldn't have won this without them."

During NBL23, Cleveland averaged 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2,8 assists and 1.9 steals per night.