Seven rounds into NBL27, players are beginning to find their rhythm, particularly debutant imports, who have made significant strides in establishing themselves across the league.
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Big scoring performances look great on the box score, but who are the players making the biggest overall impact on winning, contributing at both ends of the floor and separating themselves from the rest?
Those are the players who stand out in the latest NBL MVP Power Rankings, where individual statistics, efficiency, recent form and team success all play a part.
With seven rounds now in the books, Fox Sports Australia takes a look at the top five players so far this season, using a larger sample size to assess their season-long performances alongside recent form and emerging trends.
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Firstly, some notable absentees who either narrowly missed the top five or dropped out of the rankings this round: Kendric Davis (Sydney), Taran Armstrong (Tasmania), Sam Mennenga (New Zealand), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand) and Kristian Doolittle (Perth).
NBL MVP Power Rankings: Round 7
5 | COLE ANTHONY | MELBOURNE UNITED | DEBUT
Putting aside his recent on-court controversy involving the league’s officials, Cole Anthony is one of the best scorers in the NBL and continues to display a level of offensive talent rarely seen in the league since Bryce Cotton’s arrival.
United have been one of the competition’s most in-form teams, and Anthony’s performances have played a significant part in their resurgence.
Remarkably, he has played 30 minutes or more on just two occasions this season, yet still sits second in the league in scoring.
In Round 7, Anthony averaged 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting an impressive 56.0% from the field.
Although turnovers remain a slight concern, his ability to score in bunches and take over games is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
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Season averages: 23.6 PPG | 4.5 RPG | 4.1 APG | 43.5% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 56.3%
– Offensive Rating: 117.3
– Defensive Rating: 108.3
– Usage Rate: 35.2%
If Anthony can maintain this momentum, limit his turnovers and stay out of the negative spotlight, there is every chance we will be discussing his name across several award categories come season’s end.
4 | TORREY CRAIG | SYDNEY KINGS | DEBUT
If we’re judging players on recent form, Torrey Craig deserves to be firmly in the MVP conversation, particularly with the Kings sitting atop the NBL standings.
The former NBA veteran makes his MVP Power Rankings debut after an impressive stretch of performances that has helped Sydney establish themselves as one of the teams to beat.
Since Round 5, Craig has found incredible form, averaging 22.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 52.0% from the field.
His most recent outing at the notoriously difficult Silverdome saw him held to just eight points, snapping a five-game streak of scoring 20 or more.
However, given his recent consistency, expect Craig to respond strongly when the Kings return to action.
Season averages: 18.0 PPG | 6.9 RPG | 0.8 BPG | 49.6% FG
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Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 60.3%
– Offensive Rating: 115.5
– Defensive Rating: 108.3
– Usage Rate: 25.0%
With 113 NBL games under his belt, Craig continues to improve at 35 years old, and his recent performances have made him an increasingly important part of Sydney’s success.
With a clash against the South East Melbourne Phoenix looming this weekend, he will have another opportunity to build on that form.
3 | JOSH ODURO | MELBOURNE UNITED | DEBUT
Another debutant in this week’s rankings, Josh Oduro has quietly established himself as one of the most effective big men in the NBL.
The Melbourne United centre is a no-fuss, straight-to-the-point player whose old-school approach has allowed him to fly under the radar.
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However, his recent performances are becoming far too difficult to ignore.
Since Round 6, Oduro has been the league’s fourth-highest scorer, averaging 23.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 block per game.
During that stretch, he recorded an NBL career-high 19 rebounds in one game and 27 points in another, continuing to establish himself as one of the most physical and efficient players in the competition.
What makes Oduro’s performances even more impressive is his efficiency, shooting a remarkable 65.8% from the field for the season.
Season averages: 19.4 PPG | 7.8 RPG | 1.1 BPG | 65.8% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 69.8%
– Offensive Rating: 142.1
– Defensive Rating: 108.3
– Usage Rate: 22.9%
Oduro is already entering discussions for a potential All-NBL First Team selection, but if he maintains this form and United continue their surge up the standings, the conversation around a big man winning the MVP award may become increasingly difficult to ignore.
2 | BRYCE COTTON | ADELAIDE 36ERS | –
The Adelaide 36ers may be sitting seventh on the NBL standings, but it is almost impossible to overlook six-time MVP Bryce Cotton, particularly when he continues to lead the league in scoring.
Cotton remains the centrepiece of Adelaide’s offence, with his workload increasing as the 36ers battle injuries to several key players.
The superstar guard has played the full 40 minutes in two of his past three games, contributing to a league-leading average of 37.7 minutes per game.
However, it is not just his scoring that makes him so valuable.
Cotton is also averaging 7.2 assists per game, ranking third in the league and further highlighting just how heavily Adelaide rely on him to generate offence.
In Round 7, he averaged 29.0 points and 7.5 assists, continuing to shoulder a significant offensive workload.
He has also attempted a league-leading 115 three-pointers this season, converting at a respectable 36.5%.
Season averages: 27.7 PPG | 2.2 RPG | 7.2 APG | 45.0% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 60.9%
– Offensive Rating: 123.3
– Defensive Rating: 122.9
– Usage Rate: 30.2%
There is little doubt Cotton remains one of the competition’s most dominant individual players, but Adelaide’s struggles are currently working against his MVP case.
If the 36ers can rediscover their form and climb the standings, Cotton will move one step closer to claiming a record-equalling seventh MVP award.
For now, however, team success remains the biggest obstacle standing between him and another piece of NBL history.
1 | WILL MAGNAY | TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS | –
This selection may become increasingly controversial as the season progresses, particularly when his traditional statistics don’t jump off the page, but Will Magnay continues to make a compelling case as the most valuable player on one of the league’s best teams.
The Tasmania JackJumpers big man does not dominate the ball or demand a high volume of shots, yet his influence at both ends of the floor is almost unmatched.
His usage rate of just 19.5% is the lowest of anyone in this week’s top five, making his overall impact even more impressive.
Magnay continues to lead the league in blocks (2.2 per game), ranks sixth in rebounding and eighth in assists, showcasing just how much his game has developed beyond scoring and rim protection.
He is arguably the best rim protector in the competition, but when you combine that defensive presence with elite efficiency, rebounding and career-best playmaking, it becomes incredibly difficult to find another player offering the same all-round production.
And perhaps most importantly, he is doing it for a Tasmania side sitting second on the NBL standings.
Despite having the lowest usage rate among the five players, Magnay boasts the second-highest Player Efficiency Rating (PER) at 24.0.
Season averages: 15.0 PPG | 8.1 RPG | 4.9 APG | 2.2 BPG | 58.7% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 67.3%
– Offensive Rating: 136.3
– Defensive Rating: 109.1
– Usage Rate: 19.5%
Magnay is unlikely to produce a 40-point scoring performance, but that is not what makes him so valuable.
His combination of elite defence, efficient scoring, rebounding and playmaking makes him one of, if not the best, two-way players in the NBL right now.
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While Cotton may lead the competition in scoring, Magnay’s influence stretches across almost every aspect of the game, and he continues to play a central role in Tasmania’s success.
Until his performances begin to decline or the JackJumpers slip down the standings, Magnay remains the No. 1 player in the NBL MVP Power Rankings.
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