ROUND 11 of the National Basketball League (NBL) took place over the weekend and there were some big performances from both a team and individual perspective.

Seven games were held over the weekend from Thursday to Sunday, with the 2023/24 fixture officially surpassing the halfway mark. There were some eye-catching blowouts, tense finishes and upset results as the ladder changed once again.

The big names were again making waves with some standout performances playing big parts in the results of the weekend. With just nine rounds remaining, expect some of the league’s familiar faces to keep producing.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central‘s weekly stat series continues, taking a look at the leading contributors in some of the key statistical categories that impact the game most.

Points per game

• Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats) – 21.1
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 20.4
• Anthony Lamb (New Zealand Breakers) – 20.2
• Dejan Vasiljevic (Adelaide 36ers) – 19.7
• Mitch Creek (SEM Phoenix) – 19.5

The professional scorers were back at it again in Round 11, with some big numbers delivered over the course of the weekend. Starting at the top, star guard Bryce Cotton led his side to a crucial comeback victory over the JackJumpers. Cotton had 28 points and the match-winning free throws in that game, helping drive his side to an unlikely win. In an important result for the Breakers, both Parker Jackson-Cartwright (20 points) and Anthony Lamb (29 points) fired offensively to lead New Zealand to a whopping 111 points, enough for a win over the Taipans, while Dejan Vasiljevic had 23 in a loss.

Rebounds per game

• Alan Williams (SEM Phoenix) – 11.6
• Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks)/Jo Lual Acuil (Melbourne United)/Jacob Wiley (Adelaide 36ers) – 8
• Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers)/Josh Bannan (Brisbane Bullets) – 7.6
• Jonah Bolden (Sydney Kings)/Luke Travers – 7.5
• Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United) – 7.4

There are plenty of players crashing the glass throughout season 2023/24, as demonstrated by the density of the list above. It may make us sound like a broken record, but Alan Williams is still the best rebounder in the league. Despite a tough weekend for the Phoenix, ‘The Big Sauce’ still pulled down 28 rebounds across the team’s two games, showcasing his consistency. He is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition on this front and will likely top the tally come season’s end.

Assists per game

• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 6
• Patrick Miller (Cairns Taipans)/Matthew Dellavedova (Melbourne United) – 5.8
• Jaylen Adams (Sydney Kings) – 5.4
• Will McDowell-White (New Zealand Breakers) – 5.1
• Gary Browne (SEM Phoenix) – 4.8

A new assists leader took the throne over the weekend after Jackson-Cartwright orchestrated New Zealand’s offence in the win over the Taipans. He finished the game with eight assists, helping the likes of Lamb and Mantas Rubstavicius surpass 20 points on the scoreboard and get the Breakers to a winning score. In United’s two wins over the weekend, Matthew Dellavedova was masterful with his passing, recording 15 dimes in the round to set up his side for a big total on the scoreboard.

Steals per game

• Tahjere McCall (Cairns Taipans) – 2.2
• Shannon Scott (Brisbane Bullets) – 2.1
• Jaylin Galloway (Sydney Kings) – 2.0
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (NZ Breakers) – 1.7
• Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)/Will Cummings (SEM Phoenix) – 1.6

Tahjere McCall remains at the top of the steals count after storming up the rankings with some excellent form of late, on both ends of the floor. The guard produced three steals throughout the course of the round, and is as good as anyone at poking the ball free. In Sydney’s road win over Tasmania, Jaylin Galloway was terrific on both sides of the ball and is proving a defensive menace.

Blocks per game

• Jo Lual-Acuil (Melbourne United) – 2.2
• Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers) – 1.7
• Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets) – 1.6
• DJ Hogg (Sydney Kings)/Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United) – 1.4
• Alexandre Sarr (Perth Wildcats)/Isaac Humphries (Adelaide 36ers) – 1.2

There were some big rim protecting performances over the weekend, starting with the man at the top of the list. Jo Lual Acuil produced the best blocking performance of the season in the win over the Phoenix, swatting an enormous seven shots in one of the best interior defence outings in recent memory. It is a stark reminder of what he is capable of at the peak of his powers, and his work on the defensive end is helping keep United as title favourites.