Chemist Warehouse Fans MVP: Round 1

The way you vote on the Chemist Warehouse Fans MVP award has changed. Now, NBL Media will present the top players of the round and you can make your votes count every week.

The nominees are determined by the top average SuperCoach NBL scorers from the round. 

Who will join Jerome Randle, Mitch Creek, Bryce Cotton, Scott Machado and Kai Sotto in the annals of NBL history? You decide.

Vote below, and check out each nominee's claim to earning your votes.

Can't see the voting form below? Click here to register your vote

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Parker Jackson-Cartwright
25 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 steals, 57 SuperCoach NBL points

New Zealand’s double-barrelled backcourt of Will McDowell-White and Parker Jackson-Cartwright could be one of the NBL’s best this season, and the new man starred in the absence of 'WMW' in New Zealand’s win over Cairns.

He scored a monster 20 more SuperCoach NBL points than his nearest contender from the round, and was on quadruple-double watch early after registering five steals in just the first half.

The Taipans may have figured out how to play his defence, but Jackson-Cartwright got where he wanted on offence despite standing less than six-foot tall.

If Round 1 is anything to go by, could be an early contender for new import of the season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> get the job done in Tom Abercrombie&#39;s 400th game ?<br><br>New signing Parker Jackson-Cartwright put the team on his back to earn Foot Locker Player of the Game honours ? <a href="https://t.co/Q680xhgYa7">pic.twitter.com/Q680xhgYa7</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1708051813440901505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Milton Doyle
18 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 37 SuperCoach NBL points

New NBL season, same Milton Doyle.

The JackJumpers may have fallen short in their quest for victory against a red-hot Perth, but Doyle put any whispers of a fluke NBL23 season to rest with his exceptional individual performance.

The departure of Josh Magette from Tasmania’s offence may well have opened a door into a new aspect of Doyle’s game – because with added offensive weapons around him, he can switch from scorer to distributor at the drop of a hat.

Milton Doyle battles with Tai Webster in Round 1 of the NBL24 season.

Denzel Valentine
8 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 36 SuperCoach NBL points

New Sydney signing Denzel Valentine arrived in the NBL with immense scoring pedigree. He currently sits 14th on the list of most three-pointers made for the Chicago Bulls, but the former first round pick showcased every aspect of his deep offensive game against Illawarra.

With Kouat Noi and Jaylin Galloway shooting the lights out for the Kings Valentine turned distributor. He only took five shots for the entire game and hit three of them.

Denzel Valentine in action against Illawarra.

Luke Travers
16 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 34 SuperCoach points per game

Melbourne have finished the opening round of the season with a perfect 2-0 record following victories over South East Melbourne and Adelaide, and Luke Travers looked a class above ever before in his first weekend in new colours.

The former Wildcats earned Foot Locker Player of the Game honours for a consistent performance in what was a stuttering offensive showing against the Phoenix, before backing it up with an efficient near double-double against the 36ers.

With former NBL and NBA champion Ian Clark still yet to make his first appearance for Melbourne, Travers and company are looking like a seriously offensively potent side.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good pass, even better finish.<br><br>? ESPN via Kayo / <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_travers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@luke_travers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisGoulding43?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChrisGoulding43</a> <a href="https://t.co/jQ4GqyzOnc">pic.twitter.com/jQ4GqyzOnc</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1707346814800994785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jack McVeigh
22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 34 SuperCoach points

Like his teammate Milton Doyle, Jack McVeigh’s instant offence helped put the JackJumpers within striking distance of a rampant Perth side – however Tasmania fell just short.

No JackJumper put more points on the board than the spiritual leader, and only Jordan Usher outscored McVeigh for the clash.

His off-season stint with Heidelberg has seen the former Ray Borner Medal winner come into the new season full of confidence and momentum, and should he continue playing like he did against Perth, that Boomers phone call may not be too far away.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milestone appreciation ?<br><br>In tonight&#39;s game Anthony Drmic celebrates his 200th NBL game, with Jack McVeigh celebrating his 150th NBL game! ?<br><br>? TUNE IN FROM 9:30PM AEST ON ESPN ?? KAYO | FOXTEL <a href="https://t.co/YsBpvt2u0H">pic.twitter.com/YsBpvt2u0H</a></p>&mdash; Tasmania JackJumpers ? (@JackJumpers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers/status/1707575331186786722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Aron Baynes
12 points, 13 rebounds, 34 SuperCoach points

The 'Big Banger' was doing what he does best against Adelaide. He was getting boards, and he was getting buckets.

Baynes proved just too big and too strong for Adelaide’s contingent of bigs, and six of his 13 boards came on the offensive glass.

With a full season under his belt following the back injury he suffered at the Tokyo Olympics Baynes looks lean, mean, and ready to put himself forward as one of the NBL’s top players this season.

Aron Baynes shoots over Adelaide's Tohi Smith-Milner.

Ariel Hukporti
7.5 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, 32 SuperCoach points per game

After 12 months on the sidelines with a ruptured Achilles, Ariel Hukporti has now arrived.

The German Next Star has made the most of the opportunity afforded to him by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr’s wrist injury, and an incredible first round has catapulted him into draft calculations.

His monster presence on the boards and incredible interior defence were the two constants in Hukporti’s opening week. After shutting down Phoenix centre Tyler Cook in the opening game of the season, he added an incredible five blocks against Adelaide.

In a team that’s filled with high-power offensive weapons, Hukporti is adding the inside presence that has made United an early favourite for the title.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ariel Hukporti throws it down! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a> <br><br>?Watch LIVE on ESPN! <a href="https://t.co/XXKmC1eum1">pic.twitter.com/XXKmC1eum1</a></p>&mdash; ESPN Australia &amp; NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/1707348276989894933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jaylin Galloway
18 points, 5 steals, 88.9 FG%, 32 SuperCoach points

Replacing Justin Simon was always going to be a tough task for the Sydney Kings, however the back-to-back reigning champions have looked internally and unearthed a gem of a young Australian talent.

Jaylin Galloway’s influence on both ends of the floor may have been overshadowed by Kouat Noi’s instant offence from the bench, but the young star not only shot the lights out, he held Hawks stars Tyler Harvey and Justin Robinson accountable on defence for the entire game.

His five steals was only surpassed by New Zealand’s Parker Jackson-Cartwright, and while head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah’s belief of Galloway being the best defensive player in the NBL may be seen as slightly premature, he’s probably not far off.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a> head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah has ??? praise for emerging star Jaylin Galloway ?<br><br>You can watch every post-match press conference from tonight&#39;s action on the NBL app ? <a href="https://t.co/W1OHBfRwqD">pic.twitter.com/W1OHBfRwqD</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1708104003014590598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sam McDaniel
13 points, 11 rebounds, 32 SuperCoach points

Could it be a case of third time’s the charm for Brisbane’s Sam McDaniel? He was part of successful sides in Melbourne and Tasmania, but struggled to force himself into a consistent rotation. He starred on his Bullets debut under Justin Schueller.

McDaniel’s calling card has always been his elite athleticism and desire, and he proved too strong on the glass for his Adelaide counterparts.

He also stepped out to show his shooting range and hit his only three-point attempt for the game.

Sam McDaniel against the Adelaide 36ers.