A Sneak Peek Into The Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night – Who Won What As NBL24 Regular Season Curtain Falls
Finally, from September 2023 to February 18, 2024, we have seen it all, heard it all and delivered right from the packed NBL24 stands.
It has been intense 20 rounds, and 140 fixtures pitting 10 equally competitive teams. And from Basketball News Australia, it has been nothing short of enthusiasm and joy bringing you distilled Australian Basketball news as it happens. From the early season disappointments to heart-wrenching injuries, and unexpected comebacks, the NBL 2023-24 has lived up to the expectations of many. Equally important, we believe the competitive edge and bar have been pushed a notch higher even as we anticipate vigorous match-ups in the forthcoming Play-Offs and Play-In tournaments.
How It Went Down In The NBL24 20th Round
Well the NBL24 penultimate round featured seven matches. All 10 teams were in action, and to some, it was a do-or-die. The final clash of the round was between the Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers. Despite the former winning by 76 against 70, they still couldn’t make it into the top six as NZ Breaker had won their earlier match of the round, on Friday by beating Brisbane Bullets, 103-87.
In Another consequential match of the round, Melbourne United beat Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena by 92 scores against 87. It was the icing on the cake for Dean Vickerman’s men who have held the league’s first position for the longest in this year’s 46th edition of the National Basketball League.
Chris Goulding who eventually made it ALL- NBL24 First Team was the star of the game. The sharp-shooting guard rose above everybody with an amazing performance delivering 19 points ahead of Matthew Dellavedova with 17 points. Luker Tavers and Ian Clark came off the bench to crown the largely successful game with 13 points each.
After the match, it was clear Melbourne United emerged as the runaway NBL24 regular season league leaders commanding 20 wins against 8 losses. The runners-up, Perth Wildcats made it 17-11.
Overall after the 20th round here are the league standings look like
- Melbourne United
- Perth Wildcats
- Tasmania JackJumpers
- Illawarra Hawks
- Sydney Kings
- New Zealand Breakers
- Brisbane Bullets
- Cairns Taipans
- Adelaide 36ers
- South East Melbourne Phoenix
The first two will end straight into the playoffs while positions 3-6 will partake in the postseason Play-In tournament.
Who Won What After The Grand 20th Round?
As is the norm, the conclusion of the regular NBL season paves the way for the gala night to celebrate various players, coaches and executives with exemplary performances. This year’s edition wasn’t different. The vibrant awards night, February 18, saw the following awardees get recognized.
NBL24 Most Valued Player (MVP)
Perth Wildcats’ Bryce Cotton poses after being named the Andrew Gaze NBL MVP presented by Hungry Jack’s during the 2024 NBL MVP Awards Night at CIEL The Venue on February 19, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia.
This year’s Andrew Gaze MVP trophy went to Perth Wildcat’s Bryce Cotton. Winning it for the fourth time, Bryce now has 4 MVP awards and only trails Andrew Gaze, whom the award is named after.
Bryce Cotton was the runaway winner of the award garnering a whooping 118 votes against his closest rival, Melbourne United’s Chris Goulding who got 53 votes while New Zealand Breakers Parker Jackson-Cartwright was the second runners-up with 50 votes.
It was a perfect night for the 31-year-old who was also crowned as the Fans MVP Award winner and got his place at the All-NBL24 First-Team selection.
Bryce Cotton’s win was not a surprise. This has been one of his most successful seasons. He went on records with more than 30 points in 6 different games, including the record-shattering 41 points in one game against Sydney Kings in December.
NBL24 Coach of the Year
Dean Vickerman, Melbourne United’s head coach wins Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year during the the 2024 NBL MVP Awards Night at CIEL, February 19, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia.
This year’s winner of the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for the Coach of the Year is Melbourne United’s Dean Vickerman.
Your ALL-NBL24 First Team of the Tournament
The following made it to the overall first team of the NBL24
- Anthony Lamb – New Zealand Breakers
- Garry Clark – Illawarra Hawks
- Bryce Cotton – Perth Wildcats
- Chris Goulding – Melbourne United
- Parker Jackson-Cartwright – New Zealand Breakers
NBL24 Second Team of the Tournament
- Jack McVeigh – Tasmania JackJumpers
- Mitch Creek – South East Melbourne Phoenix
- Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. – Melbourne United
- Milton Doyle – Tasmania JackJumpers
- Nathan Sobey – Brisbane Bullets
NBL24 Next Generation Award
Presented by Champion, the NBL24 winner is Sam Froling.
NBL24 Referee of the Year
Vaughan Mayberry won the award courtesy of Europcar.
NBL24 Best Defensive Player
After a season-long showcase of unbreakable defence tactics, Melbourne United’s Shea Ili won the award.
NBL24 Most Improved Player
The award went to Sean Macdonald of Tasmania JackJumpers.
NBL24 Best Sixth Man
Presented by Marsh, the award went to Melbourne United’s Guard, Ian Clark.
NBL24 Executive of the Year
The winner is Nick Truelson of Melbourne United.
What Next After the Regular Season
Following the Sunday 18 February conclusion of the regular season, we now shift our focus to the postseason tournaments.
Melbourne United finished the season on a high note with a 20-8 record. They’ll be ending into the play-offs with the first of three matches scheduled on March 7 at home turf_ at John Cain Arena.
Although it remains to be known which teams United is set to play, the other two matches will take place on Sunday 10th March while game 3 happens on Wednesday, March 13.
