Next Gen Award Watch: December

It’s time for your monthly preview of the players in the mix for the Next Generation Award, presented by Champion.

This has become one of the more exciting awards to keep track of throughout the season, due to the number of players eligible to win it. 

A reminder that any player, as long as they are under 25-years-old by April 30 of the conclusion of the season, will be eligible.

With that being said, we are spoilt for choice with young stars in the league this season and some who have well and truly put their name in the mix for this award. 

The candidates who will be in the mix for the Next Generation Award are some of the brightest prospects the league has to offer, and while some may go on to the NBA, the rest are on a trajectory to become superstars right before our eyes.

Champion is also giving you the chance to win a $100 Champion digital gift card, simply by voting for your favourite Play of the Month from the Next Generation class of NBL25. Scroll down to enter.

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Alex Toohey
The Sydney Kings currently sit third on the NBL standings and a major reason for that is what Alex Toohey has done in recent weeks. The Next Star has once again proven that he’s one of the best local talents around and is continuing to drive up his draft stocks. Toohey is averaging 11 points per game for Sydney and has been influential in some big comebacks that his team has achieved this season. He has scored in double figures in four of his past six games, including back-to-back 20-point games in Round 13.

Ben Henshall
While Ben Henshall’s numbers have dipped slightly over recent weeks, he has been a major contributor to Perth’s resurgence. While his teammate, Bryce Cotton runs wild on the offensive end, Henshall has been leading from the front as the point guard and also stepping up defensively when he’s been called upon. While still averaging just under 10 points per game on the season, Henshall has continued to improve his all-round game and looks primed for an NBA opportunity in the near future.

Karim Lopez
About the only thing this season that could slow Karim Lopez down is the injuries, which he has unfortunately had to endure numerous times in NBL25. The Mexican Next Star has been phenomenal for New Zealand in his first season and that’s been reflected in some fantastic individual performances. At just 17-years-old, Lopez has another season to go before he is even eligible to be drafted, but has taken significant leaps forward in his game thus far. 

Wani Swaka-Lo-Buluk
With Illawarra still sitting top of the standings, Wani Swaka-Lo-Buluk has been leading from the front defensively. Not only has he further established himself as one of the best wind defenders in the entire league, but he is also averaging career best numbers in scoring and steals. While he shoots the three at just over 42 per cent, Swaka-Lo-Buluk has had a standout season for Justin Tatum and he will have a big say in how far his Hawks team go this season.

Taran Armstrong
Taran Armstrong has been one of the best guards in the entire competition since returning from injury in Round 10. The Tasmanian local has averaged over 18 points per game, four rebounds and four assists, all while shooting over 45 per cent from three. If it wasn’t for two quiet games in Round 14, those numbers would be in the mid-twenties, but Armstrong bounced back from that with 28 points in a win over Illawarra where he sealed it at the free-throw line. Cairns’ young star may be the leading contender for this award and the Most Improved Award, and will likely get some NBA workouts after this NBL season.

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