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9 January 2026  4 min read

W/EABL Players of the Week (07 Jan 2026)

With just one EABL game, and one statted WEABL game, we have Player of the Week selections but Team of the Week will be on pause until next week.

You can have your say on this week’s selections and give a shout-out to the players you think deserve one on the Academy League channels.

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How it works

Each week, a standout player plus four other worthy selections will be put forward to make the Player and Team Of The Week in both the EABL and WEABL, paying attention to the following criteria:

• Efficiency
• Stats
• Team and opposition strength
• Periods of influence in the game
• Being on a winning team (exceptional performances from players on losing teams will be considered for TOTW)

EABL

In the lone dose of EABL action, Oaklands had no problem handling bottom side Copleston 127-65.

That offensive explosion provided plenty of worthy candidates for this week's award, but ultimately it was Dan Kostadinov's game-high 30 points that won through.

His haul included an impressive seven triples, three more than Copleston managed as a side, and shooting 50% overall.

Three rebounds and a pair of assists provided extra value, but it was his scoring prowess, especially in the first quarter to set a platform for success, that got him the nod in the end.

Kostadinov said: "I felt good and confident going into the game. My team-mates all stepped up and performed and found me in the right spots at the right times.

"It was a good confidence-boost for both me personally, and the team, heading into the second half of the season."

Oaklands head coach Liam Jefferson added: "Dan is fully deserving of player of the week honours. His work ethic, day-in-and-day-out, meant it was only a matter a time before he put in a performance at this level.

"He really set the tone for our offence in the early parts of the game with 18 first quarter points and the team followed his lead."

Honourable mentions

Gavin Mitchell - Oaklands Wolves (17pts, 21reb, 8ast, 33eff)
Dylan Gladstone - Oaklands Wolves (23pts, 14reb, 30eff)
Liam McIntosh - Oaklands Wolves (21pts, 11reb, 2ast, 3stl, 25eff)
Matthew Liddamore - Copleston High School (22pts, 4reb, 2ast, 2stl, 12eff)
Tristan McIntosh - Oaklands Wolves (17pts, 2reb, 5ast, 2stl, 21eff)

WEABL

Copleston's Holly Ensoll continues to go from strength-to-strength and further demonstrated her talents during her programme's 67-52 victory against Barking Abbey.

Ensoll recorded an eye-catching nine blocks to go with 19 rebounds, with her 12 points nearly completing what would have been a stunning triple-double with one more rejected shot.

The forward's effort inside helped hold BA to just 23.2% shooting (19/82 FGs), demonstrating Ensoll's ever-growing importance to last season's champions.

"I’m really proud to receive this award," said Ensoll. "Our game against Barking Abbey was a big challenge, and I just focused on doing whatever the team needed.

"My team-mates put me in great positions all game, so this recognition is really shared with them. It’s a great way to start the new year."

Copleston head coach Nick Drane added: "Holly was outstanding. She played with maturity, toughness, and a real sense of purpose.

"In the biggest moments she stepped up, and her impact went far beyond the box score.

"Performances like this show the level she’s capable of, and it’s a fantastic way for her to start the new year."

Honourable mentions

Kaiya Bateman - Copleston High School (18pts, 7reb, 4ast, 4stl, 2blk)
Maisie Keyes - Copleston High School (16pts, 8reb, 6ast)
Angel Whyte - Copleston High School (15pts, 3reb, 6ast, 4stl)
Sharliyah Sutherland - Barking Abbey (11pts, 10reb)

Main image credit - Richard Leach