The NBL regular season is officially in the books and before Finals tip off, it’s time to rank the top 10 players of the year.
These are the elite performers who made the biggest impact on the floor. While not all of their teams enjoyed ultimate success, each of these stars delivered standout individual campaigns worthy of recognition.
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Here are the 10 best players of the regular season.
10 – JOHN BROWN III (S.E MELBOURNE PHOENIX)
John Brown III has firmly established himself as one of the premier defenders in the NBL over recent seasons, earning Defensive Player of the Year honours and continuing that elite form with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, who enter the Finals in third place.
This season, Brown is averaging 10.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game – tied for the most steals in the league. He’s shooting an efficient 48 per cent from the field and ranks 12th in the NBL in plus-minus, underlining his overall on-court impact.
Among players with a minimum of 100 possessions, Brown ranks 13th in defensive rating, highlighting his value to a Phoenix side that owns the fourth-best defensive rating in the league.
He’s been even better than advertised this year – and looms as a crucial piece in the Phoenix’s Finals campaign.
9 – XAVIER COOKS (SYDNEY KINGS)
Xavier Cooks has put together another underrated but highly effective campaign for the Sydney Kings in NBL26. The versatile forward has been integral to the Kings’ league-best 24-9 record, providing scoring, defensive presence and valuable playmaking that elevates the entire group.
Cooks is averaging 13.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, along with 1.2 blocks. Most impressive has been his efficiency – shooting a career-high 63.8 per cent from the field.
That leap is no coincidence, with elite playmakers like Kendric Davis and Matthew Dellavedova creating opportunities that allow Cooks to thrive in the open floor and as a dynamic pick-and-roll finisher.
Defensively, he continues to set the tone. His defensive rating of 105 ranks inside the league’s top 10, reinforcing his importance to a Kings side that finished the regular season with both the best offensive and defensive ratings in the NBL.
Cooks remains one of the most complete and impactful forwards in the competition heading into Finals.
8 – JAVALE MCGEE (ILLAWARRA HAWKS)
JaVale McGee delivered exactly what the Illawarra Hawks hoped for this season – and arguably more. The three-time NBA champion made a major impact both on the floor and across the broader NBL landscape, with his presence instantly elevating attention around the league.
McGee’s dominance in the paint was evident on both ends. He averaged 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 57 per cent from the field.
Although his minutes were gradually reduced as the season progressed, his production remained elite – particularly considering he played just 25 minutes per game.
Beyond the numbers, McGee’s influence off the court was significant. His profile drew international eyes to the NBL and further boosted the league’s global growth. If he returns next season, he shapes as a genuine championship-level piece once again.
7 – ZYLAN CHEATHAM (ADELAIDE 36ERS)
Zylan Cheatham has been a force on both ends of the floor for the Adelaide 36ers in their push for a top-two finish this season. Playing alongside Bryce Cotton, Cheatham has thrived as an interior presence while also becoming a highly effective partner in the two-man game with the superstar guard.
This season, Cheatham averaged 11.7 points, a league-high 10.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, along with just under one steal and one block per contest. He shot an efficient 54 per cent from the field and 33.3 per cent from three-point range, showcasing his versatility.
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His ability to relieve pressure from Cotton – whether handling the ball, pushing in transition, or setting strong screens to free up the MVP – has been critical to Adelaide’s success.
While his scoring average may not jump off the page, he produced a season-high 27 points against the Tasmania JackJumpers, proving he can step up when required.
Heading into the Finals, Cheatham looms as arguably one of the most important players on any contender’s roster.
6 – PARKER JACKSON-CARTWRIGHT (NZ BREAKERS)
Parker Jackson-Cartwright has been the engine for the New Zealand Breakers all season, averaging 17.6 points, 7.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
While his scoring sits at a career low, he’s elevated his playmaking to a career-high level in assists – a sign of his evolution as a floor general.
The addition of Sam Mennenga as a reliable interior presence has given Jackson-Cartwright a strong partner in the two-man game, opening up space for him to create both for others and for himself. His ability to control tempo and manipulate defences has been a constant for the Breakers.
He showcased his scoring ceiling with a 29-point performance against the Adelaide 36ers, while also delivering a masterclass in playmaking with a 17-assist game against the Illawarra Hawks.
Jackson-Cartwright’s pace, shot creation and leadership consistently shift momentum in an instant – and that makes the Breakers a dangerous matchup every time he steps on the floor heading into Finals.
5 – JACK MCVEIGH (CAIRNS TAIPANS)
While the Cairns Taipans didn’t enjoy the team success they were chasing this season, Jack McVeigh was nothing short of outstanding. Returning to the NBL with questions around whether he could lead a team, McVeigh answered emphatically.
He produced career-best numbers across the board, averaging 21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He did so efficiently, shooting 50 per cent from the field and 36.5 per cent from three-point range.
Remarkably, the five highest-scoring games of his career all came this season. He poured in a career-high 47 points against the New Zealand Breakers and added a 40-point performance against his former club, the Tasmania JackJumpers – proving he can take over games at an elite level.
McVeigh was a genuine bright spot in Cairns’ campaign, and with confirmation he’ll return for NBL27, the Taipans have a bona fide star to build around moving forward.
4 – KRISTIAN DOOLITTLE (PERTH WILDCATS)
Kristian Doolittle embraced the lead role for the Perth Wildcats this season following the departure of the now six-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton to the Adelaide 36ers – and he delivered.
There were questions about whether Doolittle could be the “Batman” rather than the “Robin,” but he quickly silenced any doubts. He led the Wildcats to a fourth-place finish while posting career-best NBL numbers: 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
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Beyond the scoring, Doolittle was forced to assume added playmaking responsibilities at various stages due to roster changes and injuries, showcasing his versatility and basketball IQ.
Often overlooked is his defensive impact. Throughout the season he matched up against elite talent across multiple positions – from guards like Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton to interior presences like JaVale McGee – underlining his value on both ends of the floor.
Doolittle didn’t just step up this season – he elevated his game to genuine star level.
3 – NATHAN SOBEY (S.E MELBOURNE PHOENIX)
Nathan Sobey may be 35 years old, but he has produced the best season of his career. Leading the South East Melbourne Phoenix to a third-place finish – well above many preseason expectations – Sobey has been dominant from start to finish.
This season, he is averaging 22.0 points, 4.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, while shooting 43.6 per cent from the field and 35.2 per cent from three-point range. The scoring mark represents a career high and under head coach Josh King, Sobey has elevated his game to another level.
He was unlucky not to receive official MVP nomination recognition, but his impact is undeniable – the best player on the third-best team in the NBL this season.
T1 – KENDRIC DAVIS (SYDNEY KINGS)
The top two players on this list have been inseparable all season. With their teams finishing first and second on the NBL ladder, there is virtually nothing splitting them.
Kendric Davis delivered a phenomenal campaign for the Sydney Kings, leading them to a league-best 24-9 record. He averaged 24.4 points, 6.7 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 47 per cent from the field and 34 per cent from three-point range.
On awards night, Davis was named MVP runner-up for the second straight season, finishing behind the modern NBL era’s benchmark. Despite not yet claiming the trophy, he remains one of the most respected and impactful players in the competition.
His growth throughout the season – both on and off the court – was evident. Most notably, his leadership proved crucial in steadying the Kings early after a shaky start, setting the tone for what became a dominant regular-season campaign.
T1 – BRYCE COTTON (ADELAIDE 36ERS)
Bryce Cotton has once again elevated his game – this time adding a genuine playmaking dimension to his arsenal. In NBL26, he averaged a career-high 7.6 assists per game to go with 25.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals.
Now a six-time NBL MVP, Cotton reinvented himself as a true point guard for the 36ers, shouldering arguably the heaviest responsibility of any player in the league.
After changing franchises in the off-season, there were questions about whether he could sustain his historic dominance – he answered them emphatically.
He logged a remarkable career-high 37.9 minutes per game and appeared in 32 of 33 contests, underlining both his durability and importance. Cotton hasn’t just maintained his standard – he has single-handedly shifted the trajectory of the 36ers, elevating both the team and those around him.
In a season defined by elite performances, Cotton once again proved why he remains the benchmark.