OVER the weekend, the NBL1 West competition held its night of nights, and handed out the silverware to the strongest performing individuals in the men’s and women’s competitions.
Upon the regular season’s conclusion, it was time to recognise the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of each competition, and in the men’s it was a familiar name etched on the bottom of the trophy.
Following a move from NBL1 Central a couple of years ago, Devondrick Walker has thrived in the West, dominating from his first game as a member of the Rockingham Flames, and on the weekend, he was rewarded with a second consecutive MVP award.
Walker delivered another outstanding season, producing offensive games that were unmatched, highlighted by a 50-point game against the Mandurah Magic earlier in the season.
He averaged 27 points per game during the 2023 season, emphasised by shooting 53 per cent from the field across the fixture.
Hailing from Texas in the United States, Walker has become one of the NBL1’s best players across any state, and this was on full display with back-to-back MVP’s over the past couple of seasons.
Much like Walker himself, his Rockingham Flames are also looking to go back to back, continuing their quest for consecutive titles in the coming weeks. Their campaign kicks off against the Perry Lake Hawks in a qualifying final this weekend, where Walker will have a key role to play.
In the women’s competition, the highest individual honour was handed to Alex Sharp, who also picked up her second MVP award in the NBL1 West.
Fresh off an impressive performance in the final round, Sharp has delivered another terrific season for the Willetton Tigers, leading the team to another finals campaign.
She averaged 21 points, 14 rebounds and four assists across another dominant campaign in Western Australia. Her WNBL experience was on full display all season, constantly producing double-doubles and establishing her presence in the low block.
No player delivered such strong performances at the same level of consistency as Sharp, and much like Walker, she has established herself as one of the premier players in the competition’s history.
The NBL1 West finals kick off this weekend with an exciting batch of elimination and qualifying finals set to take place, starting on Friday.
Wildcats go two from two in battles out West
THE Perth Wildcats made it two wins from two matchups against the NBL1 West Select team over the weekend, continuing their hot start to the National Basketball League (NBL) pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 fixture. Following Friday night’s 18-point win, the Wildcats and NBL1 West Select team did battle again as a warmup for next […]
Perth on the prowl in opening preseason clash
IT was an excellent start to the National Basketball League (NBL) preseason ahead of the 2024/25 fixture for the Perth Wildcats, defeating the NBL1 West Select Team in the first of two clashes between the sides over the weekend. The first match came on Friday night at the redeveloped Morley Recreation Centre, and would showcase […]
Centre of Excellence shines in NBL1 East season
THE National Basketball League (NBL)1 season has wrapped for 2024, and the young guns were fit and firing again for Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) team across the entire fixture in a promising sign for the future of the sport. The CoE have been competing in the NBL1 East competition since its inception, putting […]
Top performers honoured at NBL1 Awards
WITH the National Basketball League (NBL)1 season wrapping up around Australia for 2024, the awards have been handed out for the respective divisions, recognising the best performers over the past four months of action. With the Knox Raiders (Men’s) and Waverley Falcons (Women’s) emerging victorious at the NBL1 National Finals on the Sunshine Coast over […]
Bowen brilliant in NBL1 National Final
EXCITING young forward Kyle Bowen helped spark a second half comeback and drive the Knox Raiders to the National Championship with a tight win over the Mackay Meteors at the 2024 NBL1 National Finals on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. With both teams getting two wins over the first two days, the decider was set […]
Cole shows class as Falcons crush Braves in title game
THE big names typically stand up in the big games, and that is exactly what Rebecca Cole did as her Waverley Falcons produced a commanding performance to down the Bendigo Braves in the NBL1 National Women’s Final on Sunday. The final women’s game to take place at the National Finals on the Sunshine Coast over […]
Raiders overrun Meteors to snatch National Championship
AN excellent comeback has seen the Knox Raiders run over the top of the Mackay Meteors to claim the 2024 National Basketball League (NBL)1 Men’s National Championship on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday afternoon. Despite missing the finals in the NBL1 South this year, the Raiders still had a spot booked at the National Finals […]
Fast-starting Falcons down Bendigo in all-Vic clash
THE NATIONAL Basketball League (NBL)1 National Women’s Final took place on Sunday, with the Waverley Falcons producing a dominant display to defeat the Bendigo Braves and claim the 2024 Championship. The matchup showcased the strength of the South division, with both teams hailing from the competition. The Championship game took place at UniSC Arena on […]
Sharp the star as Flames tame Cougars in decider
THE Rockingham Flames have been crowned champions of the National Basketball League (NBL)1 West Women’s for the 2024 season after defeating the Cockburn Cougars in the Grand Final on the back of a magnificent showing from Alex Sharp. The Flames finished atop the standings at the conclusion of the home and away fixture with just […]
