Sharks' Allick wins NBL MVP award
- NZ Sports Wire
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
The Southland Sharks’ dominant big man Josiah Allick has been named the National Basketball League's (NBL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) for 2025.
The award capped a stellar campaign for the 24-year-old American, that saw the Sharks lock in home court for the play-in round and reach the NBL grand final as one of the league’s hottest teams.
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Allick posted regular season averages of 18.9 points, 11.1 rebounds (including a league-leading 4.1 offensive rebounds per game) and 2.9 assists, shooting an efficient 58 percent from the field.
The 6-foot-8 forward's relentless rebounding (210 total boards) and consistent inside scoring anchored the fourth-seeded Sharks at both ends, earning him a deserved spot on the NBL All-Star Five.
Joining him in the All-Star Five were Wellington Saints guard Nick Marshall, who averaged 19.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists, and shot efficiently as the squad's No 1 scoring option, while providing steady defense for the regular season champion Saints.
Canterbury Rams’ dynamic playmaker Sean Macdonald snagged the other guard position, as he delivered 21.5 points per game and 5.6 assists while hitting 3.6 three-pointers per game on 43 percent shooting from deep, driving the defending champion Rams’ offence to a top-two seed.
Freakishly athletic Taranaki Airs forward Carlin Davison had a career year with 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, ranking top-10 in assists, while grabbing 2.1 steals per game in a year that his game evolved into that of an all-around playmaker for an Airs team that finished third on the ladder for the second season in a row.
Completing the All-Star Five was the Nelson Giants’ mid-season addition Jeremy Combs, who exploded for 24.4 points per game (first overall) while pulling down 9.2 rebounds per game across 13 games, his arrival coinciding with the Giants’ late push that them finish just one win shy of the finals.
The Steve McKean Coach of the Year was awarded to Aaron Young, who guided the Saints to the league’s best regular season record, thanks to the Saints’ balanced scoring and defensive identity.
The win was his second in three seasons, having previously been honoured for leading Auckland Tuatara amidst three consecutive finals appearances.
The Defensive Player of the Year went to Saints forward Hyrum Harris, whose tenacity and versatility anchored Wellington’s defence.
Harris averaged 10.6 rebounds per game while snatching 1.8 steals per game and consistently guarding multiple positions throughout the season for a Saints team that gave up the fewest points per game in the league while holding opponents to a league-low 41 percent shooting.
One of the league's fastest rising stars, Hawke’s Bay's 16-year-old phenom Jackson Ball, took home a double honour as Most Improved Player and Youth Player of the Year.
Ball played 34 minutes per game, averaging 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.3 three-pointers per game on strong efficiency. His performances took a massive leap from 2024, where he averaged 3.4 points while playing just over 11 minutes a game.
Emerging Nelson Giants talent Hayden Jones earned the Rapid League MVP award, finishing with 10.8 points and 2.2 assists a game, while also contributing 0.9 blocks per game and all-round hustle for the back-to-back Rapid League champions.
The Junior Tall Black, who made his Tall Blacks debut earlier this year, was also a Rapid League All-Star Five selection for the second consecutive year as he prepares to head to the University of Wisconsin.
Joining Jones in the Rapid League All-Star Five was Saints guard Kazlo Evans Jr, another second-timer; Manawatu Jets sharpshooter Tyson Thata-Paese, who led the league with 14.9 points, and Giants teammates Lachlan Crate and Sam Dempster.
2025 NBL AWARD WINNERS
MVP: Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)
Defensive Player of the Year: Hyrum Harris (Wellington Saints)
Youth Player of the Year: Jackson Ball (Hawke's Bay Hawks)
Most Improved Player: Jackson Ball (Hawke's Bay Hawks)
Steve McKean Coach of the Year: Aaron Young (Wellington Saints)
NBL All Star Five: Nick Marshall (Wellington Saints), Sean Macdonald (Canterbury Rams), Carlin Davison (Taranaki Airs), Jeremy Combs (Nelson Giants), Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)
Rapid League MVP: Hayden Jones (Nelson Giants)
Rapid League All Star Five: Hayden Jones (Nelson Giants), Kazlo Evans Jr (Wellington Saints),
Tyson Thata-Paese (Manawatū Jets), Lachlan Crate (Nelson Giants), Sam Dempster (Nelson Giants)
HISTORIC AWARDS
Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Nick Marshall (Wellington Saints)
Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Izayah Le'afa (Wellington Saints)
Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)
Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Carlin Davison (Taranaki Airs)
Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Jeremy Combs (Nelson Giants)Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)
Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Owen Foxwell (Taranaki Airs)
Best Team Free Throws (Niall Forsyth Trophy): Hawke's Bay Hawks
Referee of the Year: Callum Welch
MEDIA AWARDS
Club of the Year: Canterbury Rams
General Manager of the Year: Jarrod Kenny (Hawke's Bay Hawks)
Best Fan Engagement: Nelson Giants
Best Social Media: Wellington Saints
Best Game Presentation: Auckland Tuatara
Video Content Creator of the Year: Nic Durkin (Wellington Saints)
Best Media Coverage: Logan Savory (Southland Tribune)
Photo of the Year: Will Gould - Hyrum Harris Floats Through the Air
Best Digital Team Creative: Nelson Giants - Jets Travel Vlog - Danielle Eagle
