2017 NBL Canada End of Year Awards
May 12, 2017 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) News Release
LONDON, ON, NBLC - The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce its end of season awards for the 2016-2017 season. MVP - Royce White
In his first season with the London Lightning, Royce White led the team in points (19.7) and rebounds (9.65), among the top five in both categories league-wide. White also set a league record for triple-doubles (4 regular season, plus one in the playoffs). The former first round NBA draft pick was also a two-time Player of the Week (Jan 8, March 12).
Canadian Player of the Year - Terry Thomas
Thomas put together an 18.9 ppg average in 32 games for the Island Storm, among the top ten in league scoring; he also snagged a 6.8 rpg average, and his 2.09 steals was second-best league-wide.
Newcomer of the Year - Jahii Carson
In his first season in the NBL, Carson averaged 20.7 ppg in 39 games for the Island Storm; he also finished with an 81% free throw average, along with a 6.6 assists per game average. He also had a perfect 15-for-15 free throw night (3/26 v Moncton); in fact, Carson had four perfect Storm games from the free throw line (8-for-8 2/20 v Moncton, 8-for-8 1/12 v Halifax, 7-for-7 4/23 v Kitchener-Waterloo). Carson also had single-game highs in points (39, 3/3 v Halifax),
Defensive Player of the Year - Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson
In addition to scoring 18.3 ppg this season, Hollis-Jefferson finished the season with 7.1 rebounds per game and a league-high 2.17 steals per game. He also garnered a four-block night (1/29 v Kitchener-Waterloo) and a six-steal night (2/26 v Niagara), both single-game highs this year.
Rookie of the Year - Maurice Jones
In his first professional season, Jones played in all 40 Windsor Express games; and his 320 assists - an 8.0 apg average - is a new single-season league record. Jones had a single-game high of 19 assists in a 4/14 game against Orangeville, as well as two 5-steal games this season (1/2 v. Niagara, 1/1 v. Niagara).
6th Man of the Year - Antoine Mason
Despite only starting 24 of 38 games this season, Mason averaged 15.4 points per game. He also scored six three-pointers in a game twice (4/28 v Niagara, 2/23 v London). He also had a high of 11 free throws made twice this season (2/4 v Saint John, 1/6 v Moncton), and also went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line in a 2/19 game against Orangeville.
Previously announced awards include: Coach of the Year Kyle Julius - London Lightning Coach Julius is the first coach in league history to earn (3) Coach of the Month Awards. His team amassed the best record in league history at 35-5 and an incredible 19-1 record at home. 2016-17 Ian Fowler Award Tyrone Levingston - Cape Breton Highlanders Tyrone moved to one of the more remote places in the populated part of Canada, from Detroit MI. He knew not a soul and after 2 years of pounding the pavement and knocking on doors, he brought professional basketball to Sydney, Cape Breton NS. He wins the "Ian Fowler Award", because it was that very same 'can do' spirit possessed the late Ian Fowler who was the driving force behind the Miracles, U2 & the Rolling Stones all coming to Moncton NB. 2016-17 Commissioner's Awards The Kitchener/Waterloo Titans Danny Patterson - Referee Rich Stehlik - Referee The Tipping Family & The Athlete Institute Vito Frijia - President of the NBL Canada
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from May 12, 2017
- 2017 NBL Canada End of Year Awards - NBL Canada
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