2025 Sal’s NBL Champions: Wellington Saints

Photo Credit: Photo Wellington

Wellington Saints Claim 13th Title with Second-Half Surge Over Sharks

TSB Arena Wellington, July 14 — A dominant second-half performance has propelled the Mills Albert Wellington Saints to a thrilling 88–83 victory over the Southland Sharks in the 2025 Sal’s NBL Grand Final, securing their record-extending 13th National Basketball League championship.

The win marks the Saints’ first title since 2021 and a maiden championship for head coach Aaron Young, who had previously fallen short in three consecutive finals with the Auckland Tuatara before being lured to the capital by Saints General Manager Jordan Mills.

Hyrum Harris Named Grand Final MVP

Leading the charge for Wellington was Hyrum Harris (20 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast), who delivered a monster performance with a game-high points tally and 14 rebounds, before hitting the final points of the game from the free throw line to make it a two possession game with just 4 seconds to play. His play earned him Grand Final MVP honours. His relentless energy and leadership decisive in the Saints’ second-half surge, with most of the damage done in a 26-16 third quarter.

Sean Bruce with an impressive cameo, hitting his 13 point tally in 16 minutes, going 5-8 from the field with two huge triples in the all-important third quarter, all leading to a game high +14 off the bench.

Ngatai’s Tribute to Braswell

Veteran forward Jordan Ngatai, who added 19 points, dedicated the victory to former Saints and Sharks coach Kevin Braswell, who tragically passed away earlier this year.

“I want to give a shout-out to the Braswell family,” Ngatai told the fans in attendance and the Sky audience watching at home. “He was a big part of both these franchises. I know that he’s watching now, watching a hell of a game. He’s going to be proud and I hope the Braswell family is proud and we’re just sending our love to him.”

Sharks’ Remarkable Turnaround

Despite the loss, the Southland Sharks can hold their heads high after a remarkable season that saw them win 9 straight games to power their way to the championship game appearance. Under new head coach Jonathan Yim, the Sharks rebounded from a second-to-last finish in 2024 to reach the Grand Final, exceeding all expectations and reigniting a passionate fanbase.

Southland started strong, jumping to a seven-point lead early behind 5 first quarter triples and held a 44–41 advantage at halftime. But the third quarter proved pivotal, as the Saints outscored the Sharks 26–16 to take control.

Turnovers and offensive fouls began to plague Southland in the final period, allowing Wellington to stretch the lead to 13 but the orange army faithful in attendance hopeful of a comeback as Keylan Boone (19 pts, 1 ast, 6 reb) caught fire late.

They rallied to cut the deficit to four, but Nick Marshall’s clutch offensive rebounds leading to clutch triples in the final minutes sealed the win for the Saints.

Historic Achievement

With 13 titles, the Wellington Saints remain the most successful active franchise in Sal’s NBL history, ahead of the Canterbury Rams (6 titles). Their 2025 triumph cements their legacy as the league’s gold standard.

Result: Mills Albert Wellington Saints (88) defeat The Southland Sharks (83)

Leading Players:

Saints: Hyrum Harris (20 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast), Nick Marshall (16 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast)

Sharks: Keylan Boone (19 pts, 1 ast, 6 reb), Josiah Allick (15 pts, 6 ast, 9 reb)

Sal’s NBL Boxscore

Full List of 2025 Sal’s NBL Award Winners

MVP:

Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)

Defensive Player of the Year:

Hyrum Harris (Mills Albert Wellington Saints)

Youth Player of the Year:

Jackson Ball (Big Barrel Hawks)

Most Improved Player

Jackson Ball (Big Barrel Hawks)

Steve McKean Coach of the Year:

Aaron Young (Mills Albert Wellington Saints)

NBL All Star Five:

Nick Marshall (Mills Albert Wellington Saints)

Sean Macdonald (Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams)

Carlin Davison (Steelformers Taranaki Airs)

Jeremy Combs (NBS Nelson Giants)

Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)

Sky Broadband Rapid League MVP:

Hayden Jones (NBS Nelson Giants)

Rapid League All Star Five:

Hayden Jones (NBS Nelson Giants).

Kazlo Evans Jr (Mills Albert Projects Wellington Saints)

Tyson Thata-Paese (The Property Brokers Manawatū Jets)

Lachlan Crate (NBS Nelson Giants).

Sam Dempster (NBS Nelson Giants)

Historic Awards

Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy) – Nick Marshall (Wellington Saints)
Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy) – Izayah Le’afa (Wellington Saints)
Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup) – Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)
Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy) – Carlin Davison (Taranaki Airs)
Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy) – Jeremy Combs (Nelson Giants)
Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy) – Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks)
Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy) – Owen Foxwell (Taranaki Airs)
Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy) – Hawke’s Bay Hawks

Referee of the Year – Callum Welch

Sal’s NBL Media Awards

Club of the Year- Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
General Manager of the Year- Jarrod Kenny Big Barrel Hawks
Best Fan Engagement– NBS Nelson Giants
Best Social Media- Mills Albert Wellington Saints
Best Game Presentation– Jadcup Auckland Tuatara
Video Content Creator of the Year – Nic Durkin – Mills Albert Wellington Saints
Best Media Coverage– Unique Shark – Logan Savory, Southland Tribune
Photo of the Year – Will Gould – Hyrum Harris Floats Through the Air
Best Digital Team Creative- NBS Nelson Giants – Jets Travel VLOG – Danielle Eagle

Awards Selection Process

As before, head coaches nominate players and vote alongside a panel of media experts. The All Star 5 and MVP come from season-long MVP voting after each game.

This year’s panel included the 11 head coaches and media members: Taylah Johnson, Krystal Leger-Walker, Andrew Mulligan, Casey Frank, and Mike Lacey.

2025 Regular Season Final Standings

Position | | Team | GP | W | L | %won | For | Agst | % | L5
1 | | Wellington Saints | 20 | 16 | 4 | 80 | 2555 | 2297 | 111 | W W W W W
2 | | Canterbury Rams | 20 | 15 | 5 | 75 | 2760 | 2427 | 113 | W L L L W
3 | | Taranaki Airs | 20 | 12 | 8 | 60 | 2537 | 2524 | 100 | W L L W W
4 | | Southland Sharks | 20 | 12 | 8 | 60 | 2424 | 2548 | 95 | W W W W W
5 | | Auckland Tuatara | 20 | 10 | 10 | 50 | 2496 | 2469 | 101 | L L L W W
6 | | Tauranga Whai | 20 | 9 | 11 | 45 | 2351 | 2323 | 101 | L L W L W
7 | | Franklin Bulls | 20 | 9 | 11 | 45 | 2413 | 2455 | 98 | L L W W L
8 | | Manawatū Jets | 20 | 9 | 11 | 45 | 2539 | 2671 | 95 | W L L L L
9 | | Nelson Giants | 20 | 8 | 12 | 40 | 2531 | 2422 | 104 | W W W W L
10 | | Hawkes Bay Hawks | 20 | 7 | 13 | 35 | 2370 | 2622 | 90 | L L L L L
11 | | Otago Nuggets | 20 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 2408 | 2626 | 91 | L L L L W