The Rebound All-Star organiser, content producer, YouTube host and producer, commentator and social media observer, had six D1M games across Friday and Saturday to look over, plus the NBL Cup Final between Reading and Milton Keynes, taking in all the best performances to select his Player and Team of the Week picks.
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
Blain is back! The two-time Rebound All Star is gelling well with his new Bradford teammates and to prove it, he posted one the most efficient NBL1 performances in recent years in a 41-point masterclass to get the win at Thames Valley.
He was deadly with the ball in his hands, only missing seven times while taking highly contested shots and going to the line for multiple completed and-one plays.
In the final minute this week’s Rebound NBL Player of the Week netted six points to ensure the five-point win!
Spencer played a huge part in his team making history as he helped the talented D2 Milton Keynes to National Cup glory. Much like this week’s Player of the Week, the former BBL man still had some in the tank down the stretch, making five points in the final minute to help secure the 10-point Final win in Manchester.
The game MVP put on a show from downtown and was just two boards short of a historic Cup Final triple-double and is highly unfortunate not to add a Player Of The Week award in a trophy-laden weekend.
Sylla was one board shy of a double-double in an efficient and influential 28/9 masterclass in the paint, contributing to a team performance in which Hemel out-rebounded the opposition at both ends.
He was also a key reason why Loughborough failed to muster more than 14 points in the paint and just three second-chance points.
A first non-D1 winner since 1973…
— NBL (@NBLengland) January 21, 2024
The National Cup Trophy is heading to Milton Keynes 🏆 @mkbballclub pic.twitter.com/sSSojvfzuS
Masten was the Derby catalyst against Nottingham, flirting with a triple-double from just 11 field-goal attempts, to lead his team to a 38-point winning margin.
In the 34-16 opening quarter, his pass-first mentality opened the floor for easy looks for teammates as they helped themselves to 5/6 from three-point range in the opening eight minutes.
Stokic put in an efficient 28/15 double-double and was the main rebounder for his side with 15 of TVC’s 38 boards.
He did everything he could and was unfortunate to be on the losing team with a battling effort under the basket against the Dragons' powerhouse front-court.
It wasn't all about the National Cup this weekend - big performances took place in the D1 Men's and Women's action 👊
— NBL (@NBLengland) January 22, 2024
NBL1: https://t.co/iVvK02dnTk
WNBL1: https://t.co/4ghN50yezb#NBL2324 pic.twitter.com/9goJBZaXIk
Hemel shot a sweet 50% of their shots and took care of the paint at both ends, limiting Loughborough to just 14 points in the paint and three second-chance points.
The bench played their part by contributing to a strong two-way performance, with an honourable mention to Tez Allen with nine points, two boards, five dimes and four steals.
SAM NEWMAN (HEM) - 12PTS/3REB/11AST/2STL/+33/19EFF
ZACK POWELL (REA) - 21PTS/8REB/8AST/2STL/30EFF
JUSTIN HOPKINS (NEW) - 24PTS/8REB/5AST/1STL/25EFF
HAFEEZ ABDUL (WOR) - 31PTS/8REB/1STL/26EFF
AMARLIE WILKINSON (BAR) - 11PTS/5REB/3AST/4STL/16EFF
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Main image credit - Tagevision
