NBL1 stars feature as NBL Award Finalist

The NBL23 Awards Finalists have been announced, with a whole host of NBL1 talent being featured in the awards. 

Most Improved Player

Sean MacDonald (Signed with the Darwin Salties for 2023) 

Keanu Pinder (Northside Wizards)  

Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player

Shea Ili (Re-signed with the Sandringham Sabres for 2023)

Next Generation Award Presented by Champion

Sam Froling (Townsville Fire)

For all of the nominations click here. 

Let’s see how each NBL1 star was nominated below: 

Sean MacDonald

After an electric start to NBL23, Sean MacDonald was the key spark off the bench for the JackJumpers and has continued to be a consistent part of their success this season.

He is averaging 6.5 points and two rebounds for the play-in hopeful team. MacDonald has recently signed with the Darwin Salties, to join Melbourne United’s Makuach Maluach. 

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Keanu Pinder 

Arguably the MVP front-runner for parts of the season, Keanu Pinder has been selected as a Finalist for the Most Improved Player this season. 

On NBL Today, Jack Heverin broke down each award finalist with Pete Hooley.

“Pinder has been sensational across the season and just missed being nominated for the MVP,” Heverin said. 

In NBL23, Pinder has almost matched his scoring average from his NBL1 North Northside Wizards season. Under Adam Forde with the Taipans, Pinder has accelerated his own and his team’s trajectory with Cairns locking in their finals spot this round for the first time since 2020. 

Have they not read the scouting report? GET OUTTA KEANU PINDER'S WAY ?

Watch the #NBL1North Game of the Week live on @Kayosports ? pic.twitter.com/hjO2GMOaF5

— NBL1 (@NBL1) August 7, 2022

Shea Ili 

After winning the NBL1 South MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Shea Ili is in the running to make it back-to-back seasons of being a league’s best defender. 

Through multiple concussion protocols, Ili has still made the finalists list due to his impact on the defensive end. In the NBL1 South with Sandringham, he displayed his best qualities as a point guard and that has most certainly translated in his limited NBL23 season. 

Ili joins David Barlow and David Okwera, his United teammates, on the Sandringham Sabres for this coming 2023 NBL1 season. 

Sam Froling

After a winter split between the Boomers and the Townsville Heat, Sam Froling has been one of the Illawarra Hawks’ bright spots this season. In NBL23, Froling is averaging 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

The Froling’s will still continue to represent Townsville still season as Shane Froling has taken over the coaching duties for the men’s Heat. 

The winner of The Andrew Gaze MVP Award, along with all other awards for the 2022/23 season, will be announced on Tuesday, February 7, live on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel from 8.30pm AEDT.

Announcing the finalists for the #NBL23 awards ?

Join us next Tuesday February 7th at the Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night live at 8:30pm AEDT on ESPN via Kayo Sports & Foxtel

Read more here: https://t.co/qADf1cjlGL

MVP Finalists ?? pic.twitter.com/BYzh3gBNKX

— NBL (@NBL) January 29, 2023

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