ANOTHER week has wrapped up, and another round of the National Basketball League (NBL) 2023/24 season delivered plenty of entertainment.

Despite two sides missing in action due to NBLxNBA games taking place in the United States, there was still plenty to like about the seven games that took place.

There were big scores, breakout performances and upset wins around the country as the contenders continue to firm after three weeks of play.

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

• Nathan Sobey (Brisbane Bullets) – 23
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 22.5
• Jaylen Adams (Sydney Kings) – 20.2
• Patrick Miller (Cairns Taipans) – 19.7
• Milton Doyle (Tasmania JackJumpers) – 19.4

After three weeks of play, Nathan Sobey continues to lead the way on the scoring front, and remained at the top of the list here despite a poor weekend from the Bullets. He was a big reason that Brisbane matched it with the reigning champions for much of Friday’s game, and has thrived since becoming a pure scorer after the team’s roster changes over the off-season.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright‘s numbers remain unaffected after playing in the United States in some NBA preseason games, and the same can be said for Taipans import Patrick Miller.

Jaylen Adams looks set to return to the form that won him the MVP trophy a couple of years ago, having settled right back into the NBL and produced some big outings. The point guard delivered his best outing of the season against the Bullets, posting 26 points on 9/15 shooting from the field in a true demonstration of his powers on the offensive end.

Milton Doyle rounds out the top five, and looked to move up the rankings after a strong start to the round against the Hawks. However, the ‘silent assassin’ was well-held in the second game as the JackJumpers were upset by the Phoenix.

Rebounds per game

• Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United) – 10
• Jonah Bolden (Sydney Kings) – 8.8
• Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks) – 8.5
• Mitch Creek (SEM Phoenix) – 8.4
• Sam Waardenberg (Cairns Taipans) – 8

NBL Next Star Ariel Hukporti is still the premier glass-cleaner in the competition, relishing his starting role for United. He posted rebound totals of seven and 12 respectively in his two outings, playing his part to perfection and ensuring Melbourne continued to rack up consistent possessions. There is the potential for Jo Lual Acuil to return this week, pushing Hukporti to the bench, but the youngster should still get considerable minutes.

After a steady start to the season, Jonah Bolden truly got going in Round 3, taking advantage of Brisbane’s lack of size with the suspension of Aron Baynes. The former Phoenix Sun pulled down 12 boards in Sydney’s first match, before upstaging himself with 15 against the Wildcats a couple of days later.

10 rebounds against the JackJumpers showed Sam Froling is still one of the premier paint presences in the competition, chasing down the loose ball wherever possible. Mitch Creek has been consistent for the Phoenix with the team lacking a clear big man after some injuries to key players, while Sam Waardenberg‘s numbers were unaffected.

Assists per game

• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 6.5
• Patrick Miller (Cairns Taipans) – 6.3
• Shannon Scott (Brisbane Bullets) – 5.7
• Denzel Valentine (Sydney Kings) – 5.4
• Justin Robinson (Illawarra Hawks) – 5.3

Jackson-Cartwright moves up the list after a quiet week from Perth Wildcat Bryce Cotton, and will return to action against United on Sunday afternoon, after a hot start to the season. Meanwhile, Miller and the Taipans are back in action the following week.

Shannon Scott has been playing the point guard role to perfection since joining the Bullets, allowing the likes of Sobey to thrive with his pristine passing. Although the Bullets went 0-2, Scott ensured the team posted competitive scores with his offensive orchestration.

Denzel Valentine and Justin Robinson are both chugging along nicely for their respective sides, making the right plays to find their open teammates.

Steals per game

• Shannon Scott (Brisbane Bullets) – 3.6
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (NZ Breakers) – 3.5
• Jaylin Galloway (Sydney Kings) – 3
• Will Cummings (SEM Phoenix) – 2.4
• Justin Robinson (Illawarra Hawks) – 2.3

Scott leads the way in another crucial area of the game, working hard defensively to disrupt the opposition’s ball movement. He racked up four steals against the reigning champions, taking on the likes of Adams and Valentine in tremendous fashion. Scott produced four steals again against United, and is proving a handful for opposition sides.

Jaylin Galloway resumed his defensive role in the starting lineup for the Kings, while Will Cummings had one steal against Tasmania, and Robinson had five over Illawarra’s two games.

Blocks per game

• Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United) – 2
• Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets) – 1.8
• Kyrin Galloway (Adelaide 36ers) – 1.6
• Gary Clark (Illawarra Hawks) – 1.5
• Isaac Humphries (Adelaide 36ers)/Alexandre Sarr (Perth Wildcats) – 1.4

The list remains largely the same after another week of play, with youngster Hukporti leading from the front with two blocks per game. Against the Wildcats and the Bullets, the 21-year-old was tremendous in ensuring Melbourne’s opponents did not get any easy buckets in the paint.

Harrison stepped into the starting big man role after Baynes’ suspension, and used his size to protect the rim. The 36ers clearly have an emphasis on paint presence, with two players inside the top five after claiming their first win of the season.