Hughes, the Rebound All-Star organiser, content producer, YouTube host and producer, commentator and social media observer, had six games to mull over throughout a busy Saturday plus four National Cup quarter-finals on Sunday as well, carefully selecting his Player and Team of the Week from contributions across the ten fixtures.
Have your say on this week's choices and give a shout-out to the players you think deserve one using the hashtag #NBL2324 and #ReboundTOTW. Don't forget to tag us!
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Chris will pick a Player of the Week and four other selections to round out his Team of the Week, paying attention to the following criteria:
Other players will also receive a shout out as honourable mentions at the bottom of the piece.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sylla left it all on the floor against Nottingham with a monster 32-point 11-rebound double-double as the Guinea international only missed two field goals across 33:30 of action.
My Player Of The Week started with a bang, dropping 11 first-quarter points, including an and-one play as the King of the Paint wasn’t missing anything to help Storm to a commanding early lead.
It all added up to being a key part of a team performance that ensured Hemel never trailed by more than two points.
The stand-out guard put on a two-way show in the close loss to Hemel, with 'three and D' skills alongside a total of 15 dimes in a star performance where the only issue was the final result.
Down the stretch Campbell scored or assisted on all but one of his team's baskets, nearly setting up what would have been a fairytale finish.
Champion was probably the most influential Reading star in their road trip double-header weekend which culminated in a pair of important wins.
The former Northumbria man was ultra-efficient from downtown across the two games, draining 10 from 17 efforts, though the same could not be said of his teammates. By the time the weekend was over, Champion made as many three pointers as the rest of his team combined!
We have our D1M National Cup semi-finalists!
— NBL (@NBLengland) December 18, 2023
🗞👇https://t.co/pAgkXixdbO pic.twitter.com/RsiN0OjgPS
Smith was the not-so-Secret Santa who gave the Trailblazers’ fans two festive dubs this weekend, cementing a top-two spot in the league and a final-four place in the Cup.
Smith was a big reason why Derby dominated the paint and the boards in both games as the low-post master made light work of Thames Valley and Newcastle.
In a dominant second quarter against the Cavs, the former MVP went to work with five points, six rebounds and three assists as Derby put up 32 points in the frame as part of an attacking masterclass.
Masten helped his side navigate a tricky double-header weekend, and Sunday’s efficient 22-point and 13-assist double-double was a big part of it.
In the clash against Newcastle, he started the final quarter by responding to Newcastle’s three-point play with two of his own, knocking down back-to-back threes.
That double salvo opened up the spacing to assist Raheem May-Thompson, who netted a tasty step-back three of his own.
Masten’s second three kickstarted a 21-3 run which propelled Derby in the win or go home game.
National Cup Finals 2023/24 - buy your tickets now and get 10% off!
— NBL (@NBLengland) November 28, 2023
🎟️ https://t.co/LoAEMfIcba#NBL2324 pic.twitter.com/6BlvEdGH0d
In a high-scoring shoot-out featuring two top-four candidates, Hemel got the dub against Nottingham despite shooting two fewer shots, though the reigning champs were more efficient with the ones they did take (59%-56%).
The Storm's entire eight-man roster contributed to an efficient three-way shooting performance, with a team stat line of 72/46/76.
Hemel's playmakers ensured their shooters had plenty to work with as the trio of Newman, Swalve and Inger contributed 28 dimes between them.
Seth Swalve (HEM) - 26P/5R/12A/28EFF
Landon Taliaferro (NOT) - 30P/4R/4A/5S/33EFF
AJ Roberts (TVC) - 15P/6R/6A/2S/22EFF @DTB & 25P/6R/25EFF vs REA
Rihards Sulcs (BRA) - 15P/13R/4A/6S/30EFF
Justin Williams (BRA) - 27P/5R/6A/3S/28EFF
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