Cooks named NBL’s most valuable player

Xavier Cooks has claimed the National Basketball League’s top individual award.

The Wellington Saints swingman was named Most Valuable Player in the league awards, announced yesterday.

Cooks, who was also the finals MVP of the Australian NBL and has attracted plenty of NBA talk, was a key figure in turning around the Saints’ season.

He posted 21.8 points per game, to go with 11.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks.

Perhaps most tellingly, the Saints won just one of their five games without him, while losing just four of their 13 with him.

He was joined in the league All Star Five by Nelson Giants guard Jarrod West, Auckland Tuatara forward Chris Johnson and Taranaki Airs duo Javonte Douglas and Anthony Hilliard.

West was also named the league’s most outstanding guard, while picking up the defensive player of the year award in the process.

Giants guard Sam Dempster was named most improved player, while coach Mike Fitchett won coach of the year, completing an impressive haul for Nelson.

Auckland’s Dontae Russo-Nance (17) was named youth player of the year, having put up 15.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals on one of the league’s best teams.

The Tuatara’s Rob Loe won the New Zealand most outstanding forward of the year, while Franklin Bulls guard Corey Webster was the most outstanding New Zealand guard.

Former Dunedin student Mitchell Langton claimed the general manager of the year award, having taken the Airs from the bottom of the table to the top.

Melony O’Connor was named official of the year.

The Otago Nuggets did not feature in the awards, although guard Nikau McCullough was a nominee for most improved player.