NBL Players of the Week - Week 19 (8/9 February 2020)

Another week of NBL action, another five deserving winners of our Player of the Week awards! These players didn't miss a beat, coming back with strong performances following a week off for the National Cup, congratulations to all those chosen!

NBL Division Three

Mathew Martin - Doncaster Eagles

Our D3 Player of the Week is Doncaster's Mathew Martin.

Dropping 32 points in a high scoring 102-98 road win against Derby Trailblazers II, Martin was integral to keeping the Eagles perfect record intact. The current D3 Midlands leaders are 16-0 and will hope they can stay unbeaten for the remainder of the regular season.

"We've really worked hard in training this year to get where we are," said Martin.

"I'm thankful for the award after all of the hours of training I've put in this year."

WNBL Division Two

Jade Bow Butters - Stockport Lapwings

Moving into D2W, Jade Bow Butters has been chosen as our Player of the Week.

The talented scorer was in top form during Stockport's 58-53 road win over Northern Conference leaders Derbyshire Diamonds, dropping a game high 32 points.

"I appreciate the recognition from the league, it was a tough game that was a fight til the end," said Bow Butters.

NBL Division Two

Spyros Kapsalos - Greenwich Titans

Greenwich Titans' Spyros Kapsalos has won the D2M Player of the Week award after a strong performance in week 19.

A 36 point, five rebound, five assist, four steal stat line provided a final efficiency rating of 45 for Kapsalos as the Titans eased past Cardiff Met Archers 99-74. The win moves Greenwich to 6-8 on the season, good for 6th place in the Southern Conference.

"I am really happy about our performance this weekend, we executed on both ends of the floor and stuck to the game plan and everyone was locked in," said Kapsalos.

"I had a great game but wouldn’t be able to perform like that without my teammates as they were giving me the perfect opportunities on the court and the confidence to keep going.

"This win was really important to us, now we are focusing on next week’s game against Ipswich."

WNBL Division One

Esther Little - Ipswich

As they continue to set D1W alight with a string of impressive performances, Ipswich once again provide our D1W Player of the Week, this time in the form of Esther Little.

During a 93-72 road win against National Cup finalists Nottingham Trent University, Little was able to put together a mighty double double of 12 points and 25 boards to go with seven assists. That performance was good for a final efficiency rating of 28.

"It’s great to be back and playing a part in such a great season," said Little, who missed the opening months of the season through injury.

"The team is playing really well at the moment and I’m really glad to be able to contribute and help in any way I can."

Head coach Nick Drane added: "Esther has been great since she returned from injury, and that is reflected in the fact that the team is hasn’t lost since her return.

"She is rebounding the ball at an incredibly high level while making her usual impact at both ends of the court."

NBL Division One

Hakeem Sylla - Thames Valley Cavaliers

Hakeem Sylla collected his 3rd D1M Player of the Week award after helping Thames Valley to a 101-97 away win against Leicester.

In a tight contest, Sylla's 34 points and 11 rebounds made a big difference, and that double-double was coupled with a pair of assists and a couple of blocks for an impressive all round performance.

Thames Valley currently occupy 3rd spot in D1M, with a 13-4 record.

“I’m super happy to be named Player of the Week once again, we had a game plan and the team executed it well, we took advantage of the mismatches and got the result we wanted," said Sylla, who enjoyed a final efficiency rating of 42.

"I think we peaked at the right time and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Cavs head coach Robert Banks added: “It is very pleasing to see Hakeem get rewarded for what the work that he puts into each game, his level of efficiency is second to none!

"It’s hard to put into words the level of professionalism, ability and commitment that Hakeem brings to every game, a very well deserved award!”

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