THERE was a lot of exciting basketball played over the Christmas and New Year period, and some massive changes in the leaders of the National Basketball League’s (NBL) key statistical categories.

Over the three rounds since the last Stats Central article, some new and familiar names have been putting forward some damaging performance, both in terms of numbers and impact. With 11 consecutive days of games and some double-headers thrown in there, fans of the NBL were given plenty of entertainment.

With just six rounds of action remaining, the stars of the competition are delivering big performances on a weekly basis. Among the top performers in some of the key areas of the game are some of the biggest names in the league.

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

1. Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats) – 23.2
2. Anthony Lamb (New Zealand Breakers) – 20.6
3. Nathan Sobey (Brisbane Bullets) – 20.4
4. Dejan Vasiljevic (Adelaide 36ers) – 19.7
5. Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 19.5

Although many wrote him off after a disappointing start to the season by his lofty standards, Bryce Cotton is still king of the scorers. He has been averaging over 30 points in his last five games, and is reaching Most Valuable Player form once again, having claimed the NBL’s highest individual honour three times in the past. Anthony Lamb continues to shine having joined the New Zealand Breakers mid-season, while Dejan Vasiljevic had arguably the best game of his NBL career, posting 31 points in the shock upset over the ladder-leaders.

Rebounds per game

1. Alan Williams (SEM Phoenix) – 10.9
2. Jo Lual-Acuil (Melbourne United) – 8.4
3. Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks) – 7.8
4. Josh Bannan (Brisbane Bullets) – 7.7
5. Jacob Wiley (Adelaide 36ers) – 7.6

It appears there is no touching Alan Williams atop the rebounding count for NBL24. ‘The Big Sauce’ is as professional of a rebounder as the NBL has, consistently giving opposition frontcourts headaches with his reach and timing. Sam Froling‘s increased opportunity as both a scorer and rebounder has been crucial in his side’s resurgence, while Josh Bannan and Jacob Wiley have soared up the rankings in recent weeks, and have played big roles in respective wins.

Assists per game

1. Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 6.2
2. Patrick Miller (Cairns Taipans) – 6.0
3. Matthew Dellavedova (Melbourne United) – 5.8
4. Jaylen Adams (Sydney Kings) – 5.3
5. Tahjere McCall (Cairns Taipans) – 5.2

As is the case with Williams above, Parker Jackson-Cartwright continues to lead the assists column, although the race is a lot tighter here. With the addition of Lamb, the Breakers guard has plenty of passing options on a nightly basis, and has helped his import teammate reach the top five in scoring. Patrick Miller and Tahjere McCall have combined to lead the Taipans’ offence, while experienced campaigners Matthew Dellavedova and Jaylen Adams have been driving their respective sides to contending status.

Steals per game

1. Tahjere McCall (Cairns Taipans)/Shannon Scott (Brisbane Bullets) – 2.1
2. Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 1.8
3. Keanu Pinder (Perth Wildcats) – 1.7
4. Jaylin Galloway (Sydney Kings) – 1.6
5. Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)/Jordan Crawford (Tasmania JackJumpers) – 1.5

It is a tight race at the top of the steals race, with both McCall and Shannon Scott proving to be damaging defensive disruptors throughout the 2023/24 fixture. The Taipans and Bullets have both delivered suffocating defensive performances in some eye-catching wins and these players have been right in the thick of it. Jackson-Cartwright takes the toughest defensive assignment in the backcourt each game, and uses his smaller height to maintain a low centre of gravity and poke the ball free.

Blocks per game

1. Jo Lual-Acuil (Melbourne United) – 1.8
2. Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers) -1.5
3. Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United)/Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets) – 1.4
4. DJ Hogg (Sydney Kings) – 1.3
5. Isaac Humphries (Adelaide (36ers) – 1.2

Despite some fluctuating form of late, Jo Lual-Acuil still leads the block count, largely due to his whopping seven swats in a game to close out 2023. Although he is still coming off the bench, Will Magnay has found himself in an important role for the JackJumpers, and is having a big impact now that his body is right. Regardless of the minor changes, much of this list looks settled heading into the final portion of the season.