United stars up for major awards

A number of our stars have been named as nominees for awards at the NBL’s annual Andrew Gaze MVP Awards night on Monday evening.

Chris Goulding is one of 12 players nominated for the league’s MVP award for a season which has seen him average his highest scoring average in over a decade, while once again leading the league in three-point shooting. Goulding finished second in MVP award voting in NBL24.

Shea Ili could potentially take home his second consecutive Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year, an award he and teammates Marcus Lee and Matthew Dellavedova have been nominated for.

Ili is currently averaging a career-high in steals, while Lee leads the entire competition in blocked shots, despite playing less than 18 minutes per game.

Ian Clark is also in the running for a second straight Best Sixth Man victory alongside fellow import Marcus Lee.

Dean Vickerman, along with all nine other coaches, can win the Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year award.

A panel of experts selected nominees for the MVP, Next Generation Award, Best Sixth Man, Damian Martin Trophy for the Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player.

 The panel of experts for the awards consists of Andrew Gaze, Olgun Uluc, Derek Rucker, Michael Cedar, John Casey and Alice Kunek. 

The head coaches and captains from all teams, and the panel of experts, vote for the MVP, while the head coaches, an assistant coach, and captains from all teams vote for the Next Generation Award, Best Sixth Man, Damian Martin Trophy for the Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year, and the All-NBL First and Second Teams.

The Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night will be broadcast on Kayo and the NBL website from 7:30pm AEDT on Monday night.