Cotton named NBL MVP for sixth time

Adelaide 36ers guard Bryce Cotton has highlighted his claims to be one of the best to ever play in Australia after claiming the NBL’s MVP award, the Andrew Gaze Trophy for a sixth time.

Cotton was named the NBL’s MVP at the Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night in Melbourne on Monday night, edging out Sydney’s Kendrick Davis for the honour 96 votes to 94.

It was the third straight Andrew Gaze Trophy for the Sixers’ star, who also claimed the award in 2018, 2020 and 2021.

Heading into the NBL finals, Cotton is enjoying a career-best season in his first campaign with the Sixers, 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 also averaging 3.6 rebounds per game.

The 33-year-old said he did not take for granted winning the award for a sixth time.

“I never take any of these awards for granted,” Cotton said.

“We play in one of the best leagues in the world outside the NBA.

“Going to a new team, a new environment is something I needed. Everyone’s amazing.

“My coaching staff and my teammates, I really rock with you all. This is the most I’ve ever talked with my teammates in any year in my time in the NBL.

“I love this league. It’s one of the best leagues in this world and I don’t take it for granted.”

He thanked his mother and other family back home in Tucson who woke at all hours of the night to watch him play, and his wife Rachel and daughter who he said had settled into life in Adelaide.

It was a big night for Cotton who was also named the Champion Fans’ MVP, took home the three-pointer of the year presented by Mitsubishi Motors Australia, as well as being selected in the All NBL First Team for the ninth time.

Teammate Zylan Cheatham was named in the All NBL Second Team, while fellow 36er Flynn Cameron took home the Most Improved Player Award.

There was another win on the night for the Adelaide 36ers with CEO Nic Barbato named the NBL’s Executive of the Year, recognising the strength of the club on and off the court.

The nominees for the main awards - the MVP, Next Generation Award, Best Sixth Man, Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player - were determined by an expert panel featuring Andrew Gaze, Olgun Uluc, Derek Rucker, Michael Cedar and John Casey.

Following this, coaches and captains from each of the 10 teams cast their votes, with individuals unable to vote for players from their own club.

Sydney’s Brian Goorjian won the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year, the Gametime by Kmart Award was won by Melbourne United’s Malith Machar, and Michael Aylen won the Referee of the Year award.

Award winners:

Andrew Gaze Trophy for Most Valuable Player
Bryce Cotton (Adelaide)

Most Improved Player
Flynn Cameron (Adelaide)

Best Sixth Man
Angus Glover (South East Melbourne)

Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year
John Brown III (South East Melbourne)

Next Generation Award
Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)

Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year
Brian Goorjian (Sydney)

Champion Fans’ MVP
Bryce Cotton

Gametime by Kmart Award
Malith Machar (Melbourne United)

Referee of the Year
Michael Aylen

NBL Executive of the Year
Nic Barbato (Adelaide 36ers)

Tangerine Dunk of the Year
Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)

Three-Pointer of the Year presented by Mitsubishi Motors Australia
Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers) v New Zealand Breakers (Round 18)

All-NBL First Team
Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers)
John Brown III (SE Melbourne)
Kendrick Davis (Sydney)
Kristian Doolittle (Perth)
Nathan Sobey (SE Melbourne)

All-NBL Second Team
Zylan Cheatham (Adelaide 36ers)
Jack McVeigh (Cairns)
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand)
Xavier Cooks (Sydney)
Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania)