THE ninth round of play for the 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) has come and gone, with some big scores taking place across the courts.

With teams looking energised and refreshed after a week off, there were some high-scoring affairs across the span of seven games, taking place from Thursday to Sunday. Some of the contending sides managed to stay on the rise, the ladder-leaders were handed a shock loss at homes, while the struggling teams failed to capitalise on winning opportunities.

Once again, it was the big names of the competition that delivered the most memorable performances, with the competition’s imports posting some big numbers. The award races are beginning to heat up with a number of contenders putting their name forward for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy for the 2023/24 season.

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) – 21.7
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 20
• Anthony Lamb (New Zealand Breakers) – 19.9
• Patrick Miller (Cairns Taipans) – 19.2
• Mitch Creek (SEM Phoenix) – 18.8

It is a vastly different looking top five in comparison to last round, headlined by a change in the NBL’s scoring leader. After a slow start to the season, three-time MVP Bryce Cotton has well and truly found his rhythm again. The superstar guard posted 41 points in his side’s impressive win over the reigning champions on the weekend. Patrick Miller was also impressive, posting 21 of his 32 points in the first half as the Taipans downed United at John Cain Arena, while Mitch Creek was the matchwinner for the Phoenix with 26 points.

Rebounds per game

• Alan Williams (SEM Phoenix) – 10.6
• Sam Froling (Illawarra Hawks) – 8.4
• Jacob Wiley (Adelaide 36ers) – 8
• Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United)/Jo Lual Acuil (Melbourne United) – 7.8
• Jonah Bolden (Sydney Kings)/Luke Travers (Melbourne United)/Marcus Lee (Tasmania JackJumpers) – 7.4

It seems there is no dethroning Alan Williams from atop the rebounding count, with ‘The Big Sauce’ once again controlling the skies. During his side’s 11-point win over the Breakers, Williams pulled down 14 rebounds, and his excellence on the glass was important in the result of the game. Many of the names leading on this front have cemented themselves in the top five here, with Melbourne United’s dominance on the glass evidenced by three players on the list.

Assists per game

• Patrick Miller (Cairns Taipans) – 6.2
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 5.8
• Matthew Dellavedova (Melbourne United) – 5.4
• Jaylen Adams (Sydney Kings) – 5.2
• Justin Robinson (Illawarra Hawks)/Shannon Scott (Brisbane Bullets) – 4.9

Miller produced one of the performances of the round during his side’s upset win over United on Sunday afternoon. The import was immense as a scorer in the first half, and when Melbourne sent some close defensive checking his way, he got involved as a passer, and had 10 for the match. In that same match, Matthew Dellavedova orchestrated United’s offence and although they could not get the win, the team still managed triple digits, with plenty of offence beginning in his hands.

Steals per game

• Shannon Scott (Brisbane Bullets) – 2.4
• Jaylin Galloway (Sydney Kings)/Parker Jackson-Cartwright (NZ Breakers) – 2.1
• Tahjere McCall (Cairns Taipans) – 1.9
• Jordan Crawford (Tasmania JackJumpers)/Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)/Will Cummings (SEM Phoenix) – 1.7
• Keanu Pinder (Perth Wildcats) – 1.6

Parker Jackson-Cartwright was immense in the Breakers’ win over the 36ers on Friday night, recording three steals and pestering Adelaide’s guards over the course of the match. During the Taipans’ win, Tahjere McCall was the best on the steals front over the weekend, causing plenty of havoc for Melbourne and racking up four steals in the process. He was switched on defensively and created plenty of transition baskets for his team.

Blocks per game

• Jo Lual-Acuil (Melbourne United) – 2.0
• Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers) – 1.8
• Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets) – 1.6
• DJ Hogg (Sydney Kings) – 1.5
• Jordan Hunter (Sydney Kings) – 1.3

Despite the tough loss to Cairns on the weekend, Melbourne looked at its best when Jo Lual Acuil was protecting the paint and sending the Taipans’ shooters packing. He had three blocks for the match, all of which were impressive and gave United a much-needed spark when the team was looking flat as a whole. Unfortunately, Cairns’ ability to make some shots that had a high-degree of difficulty meant United fell short, but Lual Acuil showed he still remains one of the league’s best shot blockers.