Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Preview

The NBL’s night of nights, the annual Andrew Gaze MVP Awards, takes place tonight live on ESPN and NBL social media channels.

It begins at 6.00pm WA time.

Perth Wildcats are nominated in three major categories – and we think they have a pretty good chance!

Andrew Gaze Most Valuable Player

Bryce Cotton is a finalist alongside Illawarra’s Tyler Harvey and Brisbane’s Nathan Sobey. Despite bearing the brunt of opposition defence every time he steps onto the court, Cotton led the NBL in scoring in 2021 with 23.5 points per game, was third in assists with 5.7 per game and fourth in steals at 1.5 per game.

Cotton was previously named MVP in 2018 and 2020, but this season saw him take his game to an even higher level, significantly increasing his scoring and assist numbers while maintaining his impressive steals statistics.

On top of this, he led his team to second position on the NBL ladder.

Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player

Mitch Norton is a finalist alongside Illawarra’s Justin Simon and New Zealand’s Tom Abercrombie. Norton has been a defensive force all-season, containing every team’s best scoring guard week-in week-out. Consider his direct matchups this season – Tyler Harvey, Casper Ware, Tai Webster, Scott Machado, Nathan Sobey, Keifer Sykes etc. Can you remember any of those having a great game against Norton and the Wildcats? Neither can we. 

Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year

Trevor Gleeson is a finalist alongside Illawarra’s Brian Goorjian and Melbourne’s Dean Vickerman. Despite predictions from expert commentators and NBL fans that this would be the season the Wildcats would miss the Finals, Gleeson took a team that lost championship players Damian Martin, Terrico White, Nick Kay and Miles Plumlee back to the post-season with an impressive 25-11 win-loss record. He added journeymen and relatively unknowns and development players to his roster to fill crucial roles – and it worked.

In his eight seasons at the helm of the Wildcats, Gleeson has taken his team to six Grand Finals, but never won Coach of the Year. We think 2021 is the year.

All-NBL First Team

We think our prediction here is a pretty safe one. Expect John Mooney to join Bryce Cotton in the 2021 All-NBL First Team. Mooney was unlucky not the be a finalist for MVP after his historic season averaging 17.2 points and 11.6 points per game.

All-NBL Second Team

A wide spread of players could get All-NBL Second Team honours. Mitch Norton and Todd Blanchfield are the Wildcats best chances.

Fan’s MVP

The Perth Wildcats have the best fans in the league, but who did they vote for? Bryce Cotton or John Mooney?