1995 NBL Champions: Auckland Stars

The 1995 season was expanded to include thirteen teams, the most in the leagues history. Conference Basketball League (CBL) champions Northland joined the competition. Auckland claimed their first title since 1983, defeating the Hawke’s Bay Hawks in the Grand Final.

Teams:

13 teams contested the 1995 season (final standings): Auckland Stars, Hawke’s Bay Hawks, Otago Nuggets, Wellington Saints, Hutt Valley Lakers, Canterbury Rams, Nelson Giants, Taranaki Bears, Palmerston North Jets, North Harbour Vikings, Waitakere Rangers, Waikato Warriors and Northland Suns.

Grand Final (Best Of Three Series):

Game One: Auckland Stars (80) defeated Hawke’s Bay Hawks (74) (Referees: John Burton & Donnette Daly)

Game Two: Auckland Stars (70) defeated Hawke’s Bay Hawks (57) (Referees: Stan Battock & Keith Milligan)

Season Award Winners:

Regular Season Winners: Auckland Stars (21-3)

NZ Most Valuable Player: Pero Cameron (Auckland Stars)

Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Dylan Rigdon (Palmerston North Jets)

Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Ralph Lattimore (Auckland Stars)

Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Kenny Stone (Auckland Stars)

Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Pero Cameron (Auckland Stars)

Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Dylan Rigdon (33.30) (Palmerston North Jets)

Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Jeff Smith (11.54) (Northland Suns)

Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Tony Brown (Hutt Valley Lakers)

Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Palmerston North Jets

Rookie of the Year: Rob Tuilave (Palmerston North Jets)

Coach of the Year: Tab Baldwin (Auckland Stars)

All-Star Five:

G: Leonard King (Otago Nuggets)

G: Dylan Rigdon (Palmerston North Jets)

F: Darryl Johnson (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

F: Kenny Stone (Auckland Stars)

C: Pero Cameron (Auckland Stars)