Lower than 48 hours after the Sydney Kings have been topped 2025-26 champions, securing their sixth title, we glance again on the high 10 performers from a collection that can be remembered as the most effective in league historical past.
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Finals MVP Kendric Davis delivered a historic efficiency, whereas six-time MVP Bryce Cotton battled to the very finish and got here agonisingly near strengthening his case because the NBL’s biggest of all time.
Listed here are the highest 10 participant scores.
1. KENDRIC DAVIS (SYD)
The 2025-26 Finals MVP delivered one of many nice championship performances in current reminiscence.
Take out Recreation Two, when he shot 24% in a loss that spilt right into a heated change with Bryce Cotton, and Davis was near flawless throughout the collection. His defining second got here in Recreation 5, pouring in 19 factors throughout the fourth quarter and additional time to tug his aspect to victory.
He completed the collection as each champion and Finals MVP, polling 46 votes to Cotton’s 35. Throughout the 5 video games, he averaged 27.2 factors, 2.4 rebounds and 10.4 assists on 43.8% capturing, whereas closing the collection with three straight double-doubles.
Davis was the standout participant from begin to end and, as he put it himself, “It’s my time now.”
Score: 9.5/10
2. BRYCE COTTON (ADE)
Regardless of ending up on the shedding aspect, it’s arduous to miss what the six-time MVP produced throughout the collection.
The Kings, taken to 5 video games, struggled all collection to include Cotton, who nonetheless discovered moments of brilliance, none greater than his legendary Recreation Two buzzer beater. Even by his lofty requirements, his scoring was held in test at occasions, but he tailored, placing collectively a number of video games with 12 or extra assists earlier than breaking by way of in Recreation 5 with a series-high 35 factors.
His resolve by no means wavered. Throughout the collection, Cotton averaged 21.4 factors, 4.2 rebounds and 9.2 assists on 37.4% capturing.
He might have fallen wanting a fourth championship, however his efficiency calls for respect. At occasions, he appeared inches away from delivering Adelaide its first title in 24 years.
Score: 9/10
3. XAVIER COOKS (SYD)
He’s now a three-time NBL champion, enjoying a vital function on each ends alongside Kendric Davis.
Cooks was a continuing presence all through the collection, main all gamers in blocks at 1.8 per sport whereas recording two double-doubles. His affect on the glass stood out, pulling in 15 offensive rebounds by way of sheer effort and timing.
Because the third-leading scorer throughout the collection, he averaged 16.0 factors, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, capturing an environment friendly 66% from the sector.
Dependable from begin to end, his consistency and work charge set the tone. Now, he provides a 3rd championship to an already sturdy resumé.
Score: 9/10
4. TIM SOARES (SYD)
You might make a robust case that Tim Soares was the distinction within the Kings’ title run.
With 4 seconds left in regulation of Recreation 5, he got here up with the largest play of his season, securing a vital offensive rebound and ending to drive additional time. It shifted every thing.
Now a two-time NBL champion in simply two seasons, Soares has constructed his repute on consistency and a no-fuss method. He hardly ever reveals frustration, but brings clear ardour when it issues, a stability that isn’t simple to search out.
Throughout the collection, he was the second-leading offensive rebounder behind Adelaide’s Nick Rakocevic. He averaged 14.4 factors, 7.6 rebounds and 1.0 block, capturing an excellent 63.4% from the sector and an attention grabbing 52.9% from deep.
If the Kings are critical about going back-to-back, re-signing Soares needs to be excessive on the precedence checklist.
Score: 8.5/10
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5. ZYLAN CHEATHAM (ADE)
Collection-leading rebounder and high-flyer Zylan Cheatham had his share of ups and downs, however nonetheless put collectively a robust marketing campaign in his first NBL Championship Collection.
His Recreation 4 MVP efficiency was the standout, ending with 23 factors, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, simply shy of a triple-double, and a key cause the 36ers compelled a decider. A quiet begin to the collection raised some questions, however Cheatham answered them in the precise method.
If there may be one factor he has proven, it’s his selfless method. He’s prepared to sacrifice his personal numbers to profit these round him. When the calls got here for him to be extra aggressive, he responded.
He closed the collection averaging 13.4 factors, 9.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 49.1% capturing from the sector.
Adelaide can be greater than happy to have him locked in for the 2026-27 season.
Score: 8/10
6. JAYLIN GALLOWAY (SYD)
There’s Jaylin Galloway, after which there’s ‘FIBA Galloway’. The latter turned up in a giant method this collection, placing collectively the most effective stretches of his profession.
At simply 23, he now owns three championships, laying the muse for what might grow to be a exceptional profession. His capturing soar was clear, ending as considered one of two gamers with 18 made threes, however doing so at a exceptional 56.3% (18 of 32).
He performed a vital function in Recreation 5, flattening well timed threes that sparked the Kings’ comeback and helped drive them to the title.
Throughout the collection, Galloway averaged 15.2 factors, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists, whereas capturing 55.6% from the sector.
With attainable NBA alternatives looming, his future appears vibrant. If he chooses to construct a long-term path within the NBL, he has all of the instruments to grow to be one of many league’s greats.
Score: 7.5/10
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7. MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA (SYD)
He now sits in uncommon firm, a champion in each the NBA and NBL. Matthew Dellavedova’s affect was a transparent reminder that successful is not only about scoring.
His function within the collection was simple, make life as tough as attainable for reigning MVP Bryce Cotton. At occasions it edged into controversy, however Dellavedova stayed dedicated to the duty and, at 35, continues to carry off Father Time.
The numbers don’t inform the total story. It’s the small, unseen moments that outlined his collection, the stress, the positioning, the management. His presence and tenacity performed a serious half in getting the Kings over the road.
In Recreation 5, he made a well timed affect from deep, flattening three triples to convey the Kings again inside attain and shift the momentum.
Throughout the collection, he averaged 5.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists, capturing 38.5% from the sector.
Score: 7.5/10
8. TORREY CRAIG (SYD)
He arrived mid-season, however the NBA veteran made an enduring affect, now an NBL champion after a robust stint with the Sydney Kings.
Tasked with an identical defensive function to Matthew Dellavedova on Bryce Cotton, Craig picked his moments offensively. His Recreation Two efficiency stood out, ending with 17 factors and 10 rebounds, whereas Recreation 4 was harder to take after a missed game-tying free throw that handed Adelaide the win. With a championship now secured, that second fades into the background.
Regardless of a restricted shot quantity for somebody so efficient from mid-range, he nonetheless produced, averaging 10.0 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks on 45.2% capturing in simply 25 minutes per sport.
So far as mid-season signings go, this one can be remembered among the many greatest, capped off with a championship.
Score: 7/10
9. ISAAC HUMPHRIES (ADE)
Isaac Humphries was at his greatest when he discovered a rhythm, and in these stretches he appeared near unstoppable.
His minutes fluctuated throughout the collection, starting from 16 to a excessive of 27, with foul bother solely a difficulty in a single sport. Some felt he was underused, and there have been moments the place his presence was clearly wanted, particularly for his rebounding, rim safety and his pick-and-roll chemistry with Bryce Cotton.
Whereas his averages sit at 10.4 factors and 6.8 rebounds, they got here in simply 21.3 minutes per sport. On a per-minute foundation, that’s sturdy manufacturing, sitting simply behind Cotton at 0.48 factors per minute to 0.54.
He saved considered one of his greatest performances for Recreation 5, ending with 14 factors and 9 rebounds on an ideal 6 of 6 from the sector. For the collection, he shot an excellent 75.9%(22 of 29).
Nonetheless trying to find his first championship after seven seasons, Humphries got here shut. This run ought to function motivation to return subsequent season even higher.
Score: 6.5/10
10. NICK RAKOCEVIC
Nick Rakocevic brings loads of upside and persistently produces in restricted minutes, however foul bother stays the hurdle.
Throughout the 5 video games, he racked up 23 fouls from a attainable 25, which restricted his time on the ground. If he can tidy that up, he has all of the instruments to take one other step subsequent season after re-signing with the 36ers.
Even with these limitations, he offered an actual prompt the bench. An elite offensive rebounder, he led the collection in that space, whereas additionally displaying the flexibility to stretch the ground and make massive performs when it mattered.
His vitality is fixed, at occasions spilling into frustration, however it’s a part of what makes him efficient. He performs with emotion and dedication, and that edge is one thing opponents need to respect.
For the collection, he averaged 8.8 factors, 7.0 rebounds and a couple of.2 assists, capturing 46.3 per cent. In just below 20 minutes per sport, that’s sturdy manufacturing and an indication of what he can grow to be.
Score: 6/10