2002 NBL Champions: Waikato Titans
The Waikato Titans followed up their ’01 maiden title by going back-to-back as they secured their second NBL championship. Led by Tall Blacks star Dillon Boucher, the Titans went on to defeat the Nelson Giants in an end-to-end encounter played in front of a boisterous Nelson crowd.
Teams:
9 teams contested the 2002 season (final standings): Waikato Titans, Nelson Giants, Canterbury Rams, Manawatu Jets (previously Palmerston North Jets), Wellington Saints, Auckland Stars, Harbour Kings (previously North Harbour), Hawke’s Bay Hawks and Otago Nuggets.
Grand Final:
Waikato Titans (85) defeated Nelson Giants (83) (Referees: Ken Coulson, Dallas Pickering & Gavin Whiu)
Season Award Winners:
- Regular Season Winners: Nelson Giants (11-5)
- NZ Most Valuable Player: Terrence Lewis (Canterbury Rams)
- Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Terrence Lewis (Canterbury Rams)
- Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Terrence Lewis (Canterbury Rams)
- Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): John Whorton (Canterbury Rams)
- Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Ed Book (Nelson Giants)
- Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Ron Grady (25.1) (Otago Nuggets)
- Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): John Whorton (13.4) (Canterbury Rams)
- Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Carlo Varricchio (5.3) (Canterbury Rams)
- Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Otago Nuggets
- Rookie of the Year: Miles Pearce (Manawatu Jets)
- Coach of the Year: John Watson (Canterbury Rams)
- Administrator of the Year: Janie Granger (Nelson Giants)
All-Star Five:
- G: Mark Dickel (Wellington Saints)
- G: Terrence Lewis (Canterbury Rams)
- F: Dillon Boucher (Waikato Titans)
- F: John Whorton (Canterbury Rams)
- C: Ed Book (Nelson Giants)
