Jaylen Adams Crowned MVP

Sydney Kings superstar Jaylen Adams has won the Andrew Gaze Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2021/22 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season.

Adams polled 105 votes, beating Perth’s Bryce Cotton (94 votes) and Melbourne’s Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (62 votes).

After an injury-riddled start to the season, Adams exploded onto the scene and led the Kings’ surge up the ladder.

The 25-year-old averaged 20.1 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds and became one of the most electrifying players in the league.

After leading the Tasmania JackJumpers to the Finals in their inaugural season, Scott Roth won the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year.

The JackJumpers defeated every team at least once this season, a feat never achieved by a foundation club in its first season.

MVP finalists Adams, Cotton and Lual-Acuil were joined in the All-NBL First Team by Perth’s Vic Law and Illawarra’s Antonius Cleveland.

The All-NBL Second Team was comprised of Melbourne duo Chris Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova, Tasmania’s Josh Adams, Sydney’s Xavier Cooks and South East Melbourne’s Mitch Creek.

The Cairns Taipans also featured, with Keanu Pinder taking home the Most Improved Player award while Bul Kuol won Rookie of the Year presented by Champion.

The Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year will be staying in Illawarra, with Antonius Cleveland becoming the second Hawk to win it in as many years, following Justin Simon.

Melbourne’s defensive weapon Shea Ili was named the Best Sixth Man presented by Marsh Insurance.

Filipino sensation Kai Sotto was voted the Fans’ MVP, presented by Chemist Warehouse, after he captured the hearts and minds of Adelaide 36ers fans.

Full list of awards:

Andrew Gaze Trophy – Most Valuable Player – Presented by Hungry Jack’s

Jaylen Adams (Sydney) – 105 votes

Bryce Cotton (Perth) – 94 votes

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Melbourne) – 62 votes

Lindsay Gaze Trophy - Coach of the Year

Scott Roth (Tasmania) – 67 votes

Dean Vickerman (Melbourne) – 47 votes

Chase Buford (Sydney) – 25 votes

All-NBL First Team

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Melbourne) – 45 votes

Vic Law (Perth) – 32 votes

Jaylen Adams (Sydney) – 48 votes

Bryce Cotton (Perth) – 47 votes

Antonius Cleveland (Illawarra) – 37 votes

All-NBL Second Team

Xavier Cooks (Sydney) – 23 votes

Mitch Creek (South East Melbourne) – 19 votes

Josh Adams (Tasmania) – 26 votes

Chris Goulding (Melbourne) – 25 votes

Matthew Dellavedova (Melbourne) – 18 votes

Rookie of the Year – Presented by Champion

Bul Kuol (Cairns) – 71 votes

Luke Travers (Perth) – 36 votes

Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand) – 26 votes

Best Sixth Man – presented by Marsh Insurance

Shea Ili (Melbourne) – 59 votes

Xavier Rathan-Mayes (Illawarra) – 43 votes

Clint Steindl (Tasmania) – 25 votes

Most Improved Player

Keanu Pinder (Cairns) – 41 votes

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Melbourne) – 33 votes

Yanni Wetzell (New Zealand) – 25 votes

Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player

Antonius Cleveland (Illawarra) – 47 votes

Shea Ili (Melbourne) – 46 votes

Xavier Cooks (Sydney) – 24 votes

Executive of the Year

Simon Edwards (New Zealand)

Fans’ MVP – Presented by Chemist Warehouse

Kai Sotto (Adelaide)

Gametime by Kmart Award

Jack McVeigh (Tasmania)

Referee of the Year – Presented by Europcar

Vaughan Mayberry