THE AWARD finalists for the 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) season have been announced, with the race for the competition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) heating up between two of the league’s premier guards.

The MVP race has been a point of contention throughout the entirety of the home-and-away fixture, with Sydney Kings import Kendric Davis making a serious push late in the season to challenge the favourite and reigning winner Bryce Cotton.

Cotton is a five-time winner of the Andrew Gaze Trophy pushing for his sixth gong in his maiden campaign with the Adelaide 36ers. The competition great has been at his best since making the move to South Australia, averaging 25.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game on 44 per cent shooting from the field with countless match-winning performances throughout the season.

On the other hand, Davis has come home like a steam train in the final half of the fixture, completely taking over for the Kings as they make their charge towards the postseason as the form team of the competition. The former Sixer has been the man for Sydney, averaging 24.2 points, four rebounds and 6.7 assists per game on 46 per cent shooting.

An interesting factor in this head to head battle will be the final standings, as both sides are competing for the same spot at the top of the table. With a round to go, the Kings sit in first position, but on percentage alone, so whichever player’s team finishes top will have a slight advantage over their opponent in one regard.

Another intriguing award race is for the Next Generation Award, which is given to the best young player in the NBL, and it is a stacked category. Leading the way as it stands is SEM Phoenix guard Owen Foxwell, who has cemented his place in the starting lineup as a member of a contending side, contributing on both sides of the ball.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, Foxwell has averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and most importantly, has looked right at home alongside Nathan Sobey. The pair have been a big reason why the Phoenix are considered big threats to the championship this season, and the young gun has had some big plays down the stretch over the fixture too.

His big competition in this category is Next Star Karim Lopez, who has been excellent for the New Zealand Breakers throughout his second campaign with the team. The NBA draft prospect has posted 11.8 points per outing, with his premier moment coming in the form of a game-winning performance against Melbourne United, where he dropped 32 points.

His defence has been eye-catching as well, using his impressive length and athleticism to stay in front of his opponent, while Lopez has made impressive strides with his shooting as well. Both players have strong claims on the award, and it will be an intriguing battle.

The NBL Awards will take place on Monday, February 23.

NOMINEES LIST

ANDREW GAZE TROPHY (MVP):

John Brown III (South East Melbourne)
Zylan Cheatham (Adelaide)
Xavier Cooks (Sydney)
Bryce Cotton (Adelaide)
Kendric Davis (Sydney)
Kristian Doolittle (Perth)
Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania)
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand)
JaVale McGee (Illawarra)
Jack McVeigh (Cairns)
Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne)

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER:

Josh Bannan (Tasmania)
Flynn Cameron (Adelaide)
Owen Foxwell (South East Melbourne)
Makuach Maluach (Sydney)
Nick Marshall (Tasmania)
Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)

BEST SIXTH MAN:

Majok Deng (Tasmania)
Angus Glover (South East Melbourne)
William Hickey (Illawarra)
Kouat Noi (Sydney)
Nick Rakocevic (Adelaide)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

John Brown III (South East Melbourne)
Xavier Cooks (Sydney)
Kristian Doolittle (Perth)
Bul Kuol (Sydney)
Will Magnay (Tasmania)
Nick Marshall (Tasmania)
Tyson Walker (Melbourne)

NEXT GENERATION AWARD:

Owen Foxwell (South East Melbourne)
Jaylin Galloway (Sydney)
Ben Henshall (Perth)
Karim Lopez (New Zealand)
Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)