Wildcats Duo Nominated for NBL26 Awards

Kristian Doolittle’s outstanding season has been acknowledged with nominations in two major categories, reflecting his influence throughout NBL26.

The Wildcats star forward has been named a finalist for the Andrew Gaze Trophy for Most Valuable Player and the Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year.

With one game remaining in the regular season, Doolittle is averaging 17.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while shooting 46% from the field.

Doolittle’s impact this season extends well beyond the numbers, with the Wildcats import highly regarded as one of the league’s premier two way players for his consistency on both ends of the floor.

Ben Henshall’s continued rise has also drawn league-wide recognition, with the young guard earning a nomination for the Next Generation Award.

Henshall has played a critical role for the Wildcats in NBL26, stepping up when the team required stability and production during injury interruptions within Perth’s backcourt.

The young guard is averaging 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists, in 20.8 minutes per game.

The NBL Awards Night will take place in Melbourne on Monday, 23 February, airing on Disney+ and Kayo, and streamed via the NBL’s YouTube channel.

Full List of 2025–26 NBL Award Nominees:

Andrew Gaze Trophy for Most Valuable Player
B. Hamilton (Tasmania)
B. Cotton (Adelaide)
J. Brown III (SE Melbourne)
J. McGee (Illawarra)
J. McVeigh (Cairns)
K. Doolittle (Perth)
K. Davis (Sydney)
N. Sobey (SE Melbourne)
P. Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand)
X. Cooks (Sydney)
Z. Cheatham (Adelaide)

Best Sixth Man
A. Glover (SE Melbourne)
K. Noi (Sydney)
M. Deng (Tasmania)
N. Rakocevic (Adelaide)
W. Hickey (Illawarra)

Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year
B. Kuol (Sydney)
J. Brown III (SE Melbourne)
K. Doolittle (Perth)
N. Marshall (Tasmania)
T. Walker (Melbourne)
W. Magnay (Tasmania)
X. Cooks (Sydney)

Most Improved Player
F. Cameron (Adelaide)
J. Bannan (Tasmania)
M. Maluach (Sydney)
N. Marshall (Tasmania)
O. Foxwell (SE Melbourne)
S. Mennenga (New Zealand)

Next Generation Award
J. Galloway (Sydney)
B. Henshall (Perth)
K. Lopez (New Zealand)
O. Foxwell (SE Melbourne)
S. Mennenga (New Zealand)