NBL1 South Celebrates 2026 Award Winners

NBL1 South

The best of the 2026 NBL1 South season has been recognised, with the competition celebrating its annual Awards at Lakeside Pavilion on Sunday.

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The best of the 2026 NBL1 South season has been recognised, with the competition celebrating its annual Awards at Lakeside Pavilion on Sunday.

Following another outstanding regular season, the NBL1 South Awards honoured the players, coaches, officials, clubs and administrators whose performances and contributions helped shape another memorable year across one of Australia's premier basketball competitions.

Leading the honours were Jacob Richards (Hobart Chargers) and Dallas Loughridge (Casey Cavaliers), who were crowned the 2026 Men's and Women's Most Valuable Players after exceptional campaigns. Both players also capped their seasons by claiming the league's Leading Scorer awards and earning selection in the All NBL1 South First Team.

The All NBL1 South First and Second Teams recognised the competition's premier performers, with players from 12 clubs represented across the men's and women's line-ups following outstanding regular seasons.

Outstanding leadership from the sidelines was rewarded with Andrew Cutler (Nunawading Spectres) and Matt Bongetti (Eltham Wildcats) named the Men's and Women's Coaches of the Year, while Logan Gibson (Northern Force) and Madison Ryan (Sandringham Sabres) were recognised as the league's Youth Players of the Year.

Defensive excellence was celebrated through the Defensive Player of the Year awards, with DeMarcus Gatlin (Geelong United) and Rebecca Pizzey (Eltham Wildcats) honoured for their impact at that end of the floor.

The competition's statistical leaders were also recognised, with Mirko Djeric (Diamond Valley Eagles) and Sarah Elsworthy (Eltham Wildcats) claiming the Men's and Women's 'Kelly Wilson' Golden Hands Awards, while Lucas Gordon (Mount Gambier Pioneers) and Samantha Bowman (Casey Cavaliers) finished the regular season as the league's leading rebounders.

Beyond the court, Melbourne Tigers were recognised as the 2026 Club of the Year, with Eltham Wildcats receiving the C.R.E.S.T. Award and Kilsyth Cobras earning the Points off the Bench Award. Mark Hallett (Nunawading Spectres) was named Executive of the Year, while Sophie Alexander (Frankston Blues) received the Pixellot Local Legend Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to basketball.

The league's officials were also recognised, with Bianca Vernon claiming both the Women's Conference Referee of the Year and Golden Whistle awards. Josh Durand was named Men's Conference Referee of the Year, while Armann Kumruyan received the Neil Bradbury Referee Coach of the Year honour.

The 2026 NBL1 South Awards once again showcased the depth of talent across the league, recognising the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and clubs who have helped make another outstanding season possible before attention now turns to the 2026 Finals Series.

The complete list of 2026 NBL1 South Award winners is available below.

Most Valuable Players

Men: Jacob Richards (Hobart Chargers)
Women: Dallas Loughridge (Casey Cavaliers)

All NBL1 South First Team

Men

Christian D'Angelo (Nunawading Spectres)
Harry Froling (Dandenong Rangers)
Jacob Richards (Hobart Chargers)
Trazarien White (Knox Raiders)
Tom Wilson (Melbourne Tigers)

Women

Isabelle Bourne (Keilor Thunder)
Lil Dart (Eltham Wildcats)
Abbey Ellis (Diamond Valley Eagles)
Dallas Loughridge (Casey Cavaliers)
Stephanie Reid (Sandringham Sabres)

All NBL1 South Second Team

Men

Biwali Bayles (Bendigo Braves)
George Blagojevic (Melbourne Tigers)
Malith Machar (Sandringham Sabres)
Joe Palmer (Dandenong Rangers)
Jack Purchase (Melbourne Tigers)

Women

Alicia Froling (Knox Raider)
Keely Froling (Northern Force)
Maddison Rocci (Keilor Thunder)
Madison Ryan (Sandringham)
Abigail Wehrung (Ballarat Miners)

Coach of the Year

Men: Andrew Cutler (Nunawading Spectres)
Women: Matt Bongetti (Eltham Wildcats)

Defensive Player of the Year

Men: DeMarcus Gatlin (Geelong United)
Women: Rebecca Pizzey (Eltham Wildcats)

Youth Player of the Year

Men: Logan Gibson (Northern Force)
Women: Madison Ryan (Sandringham Sabres)

Statistical Awards

Men's Golden Hands Award: Mirko Djeric (Diamond Valley Eagles) – 6.76
Women's 'Kelly Wilson' Golden Hands Award: Sarah Elsworthy (Eltham Wildcats) – 5.36
Men's Leading Scorer: Jacob Richards (Hobart Chargers) - 24.95 PPG
Women's Leading Scorer: Dallas Loughridge (Casey Cavaliers - 25.84 PPG
Men's Leading Rebounder: Lucas Gordon (Mount Gambier Pioneers) – 11.56 RPG
Women's Leading Rebounder: Samantha Bowman (Casey Cavaliers) – 13.06 RPG