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24 April 2026  6 min read

2025/26 NBL Awards week: NBL Division One

Beginning the week with Monday's NBL Division Three honours, Tuesday's WNBL Division Two awards and Wednesday's NBL Division Two selections, the WNBL Division One winners were the latest to be announced yesterday afternoon.

Based on performances across the regular season, we're now at the finish line with NBL Division One, setting the scene perfectly for this weekend's Senior Playoff Finals at Manchester's National Basketball Performance Centre.

All teams in D1M were asked to vote on shortlisted players from their own pool for each award, without being able to vote for their own players.

The following external voters were also involved in the process:

• Ian Cawthorne - Basketball England's PR & Communications Manager
• Luke Simcock - Basketball England's Interim Social Media Lead
• Dan Cox - Basketball England's Leagues, Competitions and Member Services Manager
• Troy Culley - Assistant Coach at Tigers Tubingen

Congratulations to all those chosen and don’t forget you can still attend this weekend's NBL Playoff Finals weekend, including the D1M contest between Solent Kestrels and Worcester Wolves.

To secure your tickets, click the button below.

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Wilson MVP

Worcester make it a double for this year's MVP recognition as Earl Burgess follows up Ciani Montgomery, who was confirmed as D1W's MVP yesterday.

Burgess put together a special debut season for the Wolves, and that's exactly what was needed to edge past Sheffield Arrows' Hamza Ibrahim in an incredibly close MVP contest.

Burgess' 23.2 efficiency per game (EPG) came off the back of a 18.1PPG, 10.3RPG double-double average, tacking on 1.6APG for good measure.

In Pool B, Solent's title win was led by Andre Arissol, and his well-rounded 17.6PG, 5.0RPG, 3.8APG and 3.3SPG stats pushed his team forward.

No stranger to personal accolades, Arissol progresses from the runner up spot of last season's D2 voting to go one better in D1M this term, a worthy reward for a fine season.

Wilson Coach of the Year

After helping his side finish top of an incredibly competitive Pool A, Worcester's Dean Blake receives Coach of the Year honours.

Despite owning an offence that scored 78.4PPG, sixth-best in Pool A, the Wolves played some solid D to allow just 69.6PPG in reply.

Getting the best from MVP Burgess in his maiden season, and progressing the likes of Humberto Ferreira and Wilfred Santhe, Blake's efforts didn't escape the notice of voters.

A former winner is back for more as Solent's Matt Guymon is named D1M Coach of the Year for Pool B.

Capturing the accolade previously as the Kestrels' won a differently structured D1M, the south coast side's success this year has once again earned Guymon recognition.

Guymon finished narrowly ahead of Barnet's George Gazetas in second spot, with his side's D1M-best 62.9PPG allowed a strong reason why many voted for the Solent man.

D1W Team of the Year

MVP Burgess is joined in Pool A's TOTY by Arrows' Hamza Ibrahim, who's 24.7PPG led all D1M players this year.

Young star Jack Walton (18.9PPG, 5.1APG, 17.0EPG) is Manchester's selection into the five, and St Helens' Disraeli Lufadeju (22.1PPG, 7.5RPG, 4.3APG, 2.9SPG, 23.7EPG) makes the cut despite the Saints' 10-12 record.

The team is rounded out by Birmingham City University's Sam Toluwase, with the veteran forward enjoying 23.3PPG, 7.3RPG and 18.9EPG across the campaign.

In Pool B, MVP Arissol is joined by a familiar face in the form of Solent team mate Luke Busumbru (11.1PPG, 6.5RPG, 5.3APG, 17.5EPG), who made the D1M British Team of the Year last term with Essex.

Sable Cooper's move from NASSA over to Barnet was a successful one, averaging 22.2PPG, 6.1RPG, 3.6APG, 3.5SPG and 22.6EPG as the Bulldogs finished second in the standings and Cooper made it back-to-back TOTY selections.

Young forward Joshua Mendes (13.6PPG, 8.1RPG, 15.1EPG) also impressed as one of Barking's breakout stars, and last season's D2 MVP Ryan Martin continued his fine form for London Stars as he recorded an eye-catching 19.4PPG, 12.1RPG, 5.4APG, 24.9EPG stat line.

British Team of the Year

Ibrahim, Walton, Lufadeju and Toluwase all make the Pool A British Team of the Year, highlighting the domestic talent on display in the NBL.

American MVP Burgess makes way as team mate Wilfred Santhe (10.0PPG, 5.9APG, 9.3EPG) slots in, narrowly pipping BCU guard Reiss Faure-Daley and his record-breaking 4.7SPG average.

It's a similar story in Pool B as Arissol, Martin and Mendes all repeat.

Busumbru is replaced by another London Stars standout in the form of Nojus Zajankauskas, with the promising youngster putting together a 17.7PPG, 4.6RPG, 2.8APG, 16.8EPG season.

The final spot is taken by Richmond's Callum Vines, who's impressive 19.3PPG, 12.7RPG, 26.1EPG double-double average overcame the Knights' eventual 7-11 record.

Defensive Player of the Year

BCU's Faure-Daley setting a new steals record for D1M was always going to take some beating, but Sheffield Arrows' Diogo Soares narrowly edged this season's Defensive Player of the Year award for Pool A.

Last season's D2 winner of the same award Soares, plus Faure-Daley and Worcester's Humberto Ferreira, all earned their share of the voting across an even contest, but Soares' 7.3 defensive rebounds per game alongside his 2.3SPG and 1.5BPG just got him the nod.

Pool B's race was more straightforward, with Andre Arissol adding another D1M DPOY award to his collection.

The Solent man averaged 3.3SPG, trailing only Sable Cooper's 3.5SPG in Pool B, and the talented guard was a key cog in a Kestrels' defence that allowed just 62.9PPG this year.

U19 Player of the Year

Given their inclusion in their pool's Teams of the Year, it's no surprise to see Manchester Magic's Jack Walton and London Stars' Nojus Zajankauskas singled out as this year's U19 Player of the Year recipients.

Walton's combo of 18.9PPG and 5.1APG was hard to match by the rest of Pool A, regardless of age.

Likewise, Zajankauskas' 17.7PPG, 4.6RPG, 2.8APG stats passed the eye test across Pool B's best and brightest, making the duo an easy pair of choices for the U19 crown.

Best Game Day Experience

Given the quality on display and what they continue to offer fans and players year-on-year, it's no surprise to see both Solent and Worcester recognised for their game day offering.

Worcester have now won four awards in a row in this category across the various divisions they've been in, and they keep providing the Wolves' faithful with plenty of good value entertainment.

Likewise, Solent took this award in 2023/24 and 2024/25, adding to it here as they continue to impress the league with their set up and atmosphere.

Senior Playoff Finals

Today's awards concludes the week of NBL and WNBL end-of-season honours in the lead up to this weekend's senior playoff finals at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester.

To purchase tickets for the event, please click the button below.

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