Cotton claims first Mark Davis MVP Trophy

Bryce Cotton has capped a big personal week by claiming his first Mark Davis Perpetual Trophy as the Adelaide 36ers Most Valuable Player for NBL26.

Cotton claimed the honour at the club’s MVP celebration event at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre with 450 people in attendance. 

Cotton also took home the Members’ Choice Award presented by HomeStart Finance as voted by the members.

The club MVP award is named in honour of club Hall of Famer Mark Davis who won three NBL championships, eight NBL All-Star honours and was the 1987 NBL MVP during a highly decorated 16-year career with the Sixers.

Earlier this week Cotton was awarded the NBL’s MVP award, the Andrew Gaze Trophy, for a sixth time.

Upon receiving the club MVP, the 33-year-old said it was special to be recognised alongside some of the club’s greats in his first season in Adelaide.

He thanked his wife for her patience and understanding, and made special mention of his coaches, support staff and teammates.

“This has just been such a fun year.” Cotton said upon receiving the award.

“Throughout the ups and the downs, everything has been fun, and obviously, we want to go all the way, but I almost don't even want the season to end. That's how much I enjoy playing with y'all.

“And for the fans and everybody, the support that y'all have given us throughout the year, we don't take any of it for granted.

“We try our best every time to try to give you all something to cheer about, and I think we've done a good job so far, but we’re at that pointy end of the season, and who knows what's in store, but we're going to continue to give it everything we’ve got.

“All we ask for in return is just continue to be who y'all have been all year. And we’re going to do the best we can to be who we've been all year.”

Despite it being his tenth season in the NBL, Cotton is in career-best form setting a new record for the most points scored in a single season during the modern 40-minute era, at an average of 25.7 points per game. 

He leads the league for scoring, assists (7.6 per game), free throws made (5.9 per game) and three-point made (3.3 per game) while adding 3.6 rebounds per game.

Among the other awards handed out on the night, Isaac Humphries took home the Coaches Award, Nick Rakocevic was given the Chairman’s Award, Flynn Cameron was named the Most Improved and Zylan Cheatham claimed the Defensive Award.

Award winners:

Mark Davis Perpetual Most Valuable Player Award
Bryce Cotton

Members’ Choice Award
Presented by: HomeStart Finance
Bryce Cotton

Coaches Award
Presented by: RAW Group & Breathe WRL
Isaac Humphries

Chairman’s Award
Presented by: Ezko Property Services
Nick Rakocevic

Most Improved
Presented by: Office National - Town & Country
Flynn Cameron

Defensive Award
Presented by: Leventis Lawyers
Zylan Cheatham