Rasmussen wins Woollacott Medal

Adelaide 36ers young gun Keanu Rasmussen’s incredible season for West Adelaide has seen him claim a clean sweep of the men's awards in the NBL1 Central competition.

Rasmussen’s excellent campaign was recognised with the prestigious Woollacott Medal as the Fairest and Most Brilliant player in the competition.

The award is determined by referee votes submitted after every game.

The 22-year-old ranked in the top five in the competition in all key metrics and led the league in several key stats including points (23.67 points per game), assists (5.44), free throws made (4.50), and steals (2.22).

Rasmussen joins a host of notable names to take home the Woollacott Medal. Among them are former Sixers Phil Smyth, Al Green, Mark Davis, Scott Ninnis and Daniel Johnson.

As well as the referees, Rasmussen earned recognition from rival coaches, also taking home the NBL1 Central Men’s Coaches’ MVP award.

The award is voted on by the league’s coaches.

So good was Rasmussen’s season that he also won the Frank Angove Award as the highest placed player under 23 in the Woollacott Medal count.

The award recognises rising consistent performances by rising talent throughout the season.

Rasmussen guided his West Adelaide Bearcats past South Adelaide in Friday night’s Elimination Final in a nail biting one-point win.

He scored 16 points to go with eleven rebounds and eight assists in the 81 to 80 victory at the Mitchell Park Sports and Community Centre.

The Bearcats will now face Woodville in a Semi Final on Saturday night.