2015 NBL Champions: Southland Sharks

The 2015 season had eight teams contesting the league after the unfortunate withdrawal of both the Otago Nuggets and Waikato Pistons. Led by Todd Blanchfield and Tai Wesley, the Southland Sharks claimed their second NBL championship as they defeated the Wellington Saints in the Grand Final. 2015 will also be remembered for Aaron Fuller breaking the NBL record for points scored in a game – a record haul of 54 points in a regular season match against the Super City Rangers.

Teams:

8 teams contested the 2015 season (final standings): Southland Sharks, Wellington Saints, Nelson Giants, Super City Rangers, Canterbury Rams, Manawatu Jets, Hawke’s Bay Hawks and Taranaki Mountainairs.

Grand Final:

Southland Sharks (72) defeated Wellington Saints (68) (Dallas Pickering, Melony Wealleans & Gavin Zimmerman)

Season Award Winners:

Regular Season Winners: Southland Sharks (15-3)

Most Valuable Player: Torrey Craig (Wellington Saints)

NZ Most Valuable Player: Lindsay Tait (Wellington Saints)

Finals MVP: Tai Wesley (Southland Sharks)

Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Torrey Craig (Wellington Saints)

Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Lindsay Tait (Wellington Saints)

Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Tai Wesley (Southland Sharks)

Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Josh Duinker (Nelson Giants)

Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Aaron Fuller (28.4) (Taranaki Mountainairs)

Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Jeremiah Trueman (12.4) (Manawatu Jets)

Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Lindsay Tait (8.9) (Wellington Saints)

Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Nelson Giants

Rookie of the Year: Josh Duinker (Nelson Giants)

Coach of the Year: Paul Henare (Southland Sharks)

Referee of the Year: Tim Brown (Auckland)

Media Award: Logan Savory (Southland Times)

All-Star Five:

G: McKenzie Moore (Nelson Giants)

G: Torrey Craig (Wellington Saints)

F: Todd Blanchfield (Southland Sharks)

F: Tai Wesley (Southland Sharks)

C: Aaron Fuller (Taranaki Mountainairs)

Photo: Masanori Udagawa