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

 

2016 NBL Champions: Wellington Saints

The 2016 season only had seven teams contest the league after the Manawatu Jets withdrew. McKenzie Moore and Marcel Jones led the Canterbury Rams to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 and the teams first minor premiership since 1993, only to fall short in the semifinals. The Wellington Saints equaled Auckland’s record of nine NBL championships as they defeated the Super City Rangers in Invercargill to claim the 2016 title.

Teams:

7 teams contested the 2016 season (final standings): Wellington Saints, Supercity Rangers, Canterbury Rams, Southland Sharks, Nelson Giants, Taranaki Mountainairs and Hawke’s Bay Hawks.

Grand Final:

Wellington Saints (94) defeated Super City Rangers (82) (Referees: Tim Brown, Dallas Pickering & Melony Wealleans)

Season Award Winners:

• Regular Season Winners: Canterbury Rams (13-5)
• Most Valuable Player: McKenzie Moore (Canterbury Rams)
• NZ Most Valuable Player: Marcel Jones (Canterbury Rams)
• Finals MVP: Tai Wesley (Wellington Saints)
• Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): McKenzie Moore (Canterbury Rams)
• Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Shea Ili (Wellington Saints)
• Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Marcel Jones (Canterbury Rams)
• Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Marcel Jones (Canterbury Rams)
• Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Eric Devendorf (25.8) (Super City Rangers)
• Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Alex Pledger (11.4) (Southland Sharks)
• Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): McKenzie Moore (8.2) (Canterbury Rams)
• Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Nelson Giants
• Rookie of the Year: Logan Elers (Taranaki Mountainairs)
• Coach of the Year: Ross McMains (Taranaki Mountainairs)
• Referee of the Year: Matt Bathurst (Canterbury)
• Administrator of the Year: Bernie Smith (Taranaki Mountainairs)
• Media Award: Logan Savory (Southland Times)

All-Star Five:

• G: McKenzie Moore (Canterbury Rams)
• G: Raymond Cowels (Nelson Giants)
• F: Torrey Craig (Wellington Saints)
• F: Marcel Jones (Canterbury Rams)
• C: Alex Pledger (Southland Sharks)

Photo: www.photosport.co.nz

2017 NBL Champions: Wellington Saints

In 2017 the Wellington Saints become the most successful team in the competitions history after collecting their 10th NBL championship. They also became the first team to ever complete an unbeaten season, capping off a perfect 20-0 campaign as they defeated the Southland Sharks in the Grand Final.

Teams:

7 teams contested the 2017 season (final standings): Wellington Saints, Southland Sharks, Super City Rangers, Canterbury Rams, Hawke’s Bay Hawks, Nelson Giants and Taranaki Mountainairs.

Grand Final:

Wellington Saints (108) defeated Southland Sharks (75) (Referees: Dallas Pickering, Melony Wealleans & Matt Bathurst)

Season Award Winners:

• Regular Season Winners: Wellington Saints (18-0)
• Most Valuable Player: Corey Webster (Wellington Saints)
• NZ Most Valuable Player: Corey Webster (Wellington Saints)
• Finals MVP: Shea Ili (Wellington Saints)
• Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Corey Webster (Wellington Saints)
• Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Corey Webster (Wellington Saints)
• Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Tai Wesley (Wellington Saints)
• Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Marcel Jones (Canterbury Rams)
• Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Corey Webster (26.0) (Wellington Saints)
• Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Amir Williams (10.2) (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
• Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Wellington Saints
• Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Jarrod Kenny (7.5) (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
• Coach of the Year: Kevin Braswell (Wellington Saints)
• Referee of the Year: Matt Bathurst (Christchurch)
• Administrator of the Year: Fran Scholey (Wellington Saints)
• Media Award: Nick Jeffries (Southland Sharks)

All-Star Five:

• G: Shea Ili (Wellington Saints)
• G: Corey Webster (Wellington Saints)
• F: Mitch McCarron (Super City Rangers)
• F: Marcel Jones (Canterbury Rams)
• C: Tai Wesley (Wellington Saints)

Photo: www.photosport.co.nz