Five rounds into the NBL season, the MVP Power Rankings continue to fluctuate, with the competition becoming increasingly difficult to separate.
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While individual performances remain important, efficiency and advanced statistics are beginning to play a bigger role in determining who deserves a spot among the league’s best.
Fox Sports Australia takes a look at the top five players so far this season in our way-too-early NBL MVP Power Rankings.
NBL MVP Power Rankings: Round 5
5 | KENDRIC DAVIS | SYDNEY KINGS | -3
This may come as a surprise, considering how dominant we’re used to seeing Kendric Davis, but despite sitting fourth in scoring (22.8) and second in assists (7.5), his overall efficiency is doing him no favours.
Davis remains one of the league’s most productive guards, but his advanced statistics have fallen considerably. He’s shooting just 41.7% from the field and has struggled from deep, connecting on just 10 of his 43 attempts (23.3%) to start the season.
For a player who carries such a significant offensive load, with a usage rate of 32.0%, those shooting numbers have contributed to his drop in the rankings.
Season averages: 22.8 PPG | 4.7 RPG | 7.5 APG | 1.2 SPG | 41.7% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 50.4%
– Offensive Rating: 113.1
– Defensive Rating: 110.7
– Usage Rate: 32.0%
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If Davis’ history tells us anything, it’s that he won’t remain fifth for long. Expect some big performances in the coming weeks to remind everyone why he is the reigning Finals MVP.
4 | TARAN ARMSTRONG | TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS | DEBUT
It’s become too difficult to ignore. Taran Armstrong is now a certified baller in this league, and after a career-best round, he makes his debut in the MVP Power Rankings.
His performance against the New Zealand Breakers, where he finished with 32 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals, was arguably the best game of his NBL career and another indication of his continued development into one of the competition’s emerging stars.
Armstrong has helped guide Tasmania to the top of the standings and currently sits fifth in scoring (21.3) and sixth in assists (5.4), while shooting an impressive 52.0% from the field.
What’s particularly encouraging is how efficiently he’s running the JackJumpers’ offence, averaging just 1.4 turnovers per game despite having the ball in his hands so often.
Season averages: 21.3 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 5.4 APG | 0.7 SPG | 52.0% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 61.6%
– Offensive Rating: 133.0
– Defensive Rating: 121.2
– Usage Rate: 24.1%
If Armstrong can improve his three-point shooting, which currently sits at 30.3%, there’s no reason why he can’t continue this outstanding form and climb even higher in the rankings.
He is the real deal.
3 | SAM MENNENGA | NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS | DEBUT
The best form in the league? Sam Mennenga is on fire, particularly with the New Zealand Breakers battling through injuries and relying heavily on their star forward to keep them competitive against some of the league’s best teams.
Mennenga has climbed to third in scoring (23.3) and second in rebounds (9.1), but it’s his performances over the past three games that have truly elevated him into the MVP conversation.
During that stretch, which included a career-high 40 points against the Perth Wildcats, Mennenga averaged an extraordinary 34.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 68.4% from the field.
He also recorded three consecutive double-doubles, demonstrating just how dominant he’s become on both ends of the floor.
Season averages: 23.3 PPG | 9.1 RPG | 3.1 APG | 0.4 SPG | 61.9% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 68.2%
– Offensive Rating: 120.3
– Defensive Rating: 113.7
– Usage Rate: 29.0%
With Parker Jackson-Cartwright expected to remain sidelined for a number of weeks, the offensive responsibility will continue to fall heavily on Mennenga’s shoulders.
And if his recent performances are anything to go by, he’s more than capable of carrying that load as he continues his career-best form.
2 | BRYCE COTTON | ADELAIDE 36ERS | +2
He’s back in a familiar position as the league’s leading scorer, and six-time MVP Bryce Cotton is once again reminding everyone why he remains one of the greatest players to ever step onto an NBL court.
Cotton has climbed the rankings over the past two weeks, helping guide Adelaide to back-to-back away victories against the Sydney Kings and Tasmania JackJumpers.
While he hasn’t consistently reached the 20-point mark in recent outings, Cotton already has three 30-plus point performances this season, including a familiar 35-point display against Tasmania.
It was during that victory over the JackJumpers that Cotton held up six fingers, a reminder of his six MVP awards, and another statement that he’s far from finished.
The only thing keeping Cotton from the top spot is Adelaide’s position on the ladder.
Despite their recent improvement, the 36ers remain 4-4 and sit sixth in the standings, meaning there’s still plenty of work to do for last season’s runners-up.
Season averages: 26.3 PPG | 2.1 RPG | 7.0 APG | 1.4 SPG | 45.3% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 62.6%
– Offensive Rating: 121.1
– Defensive Rating: 119.7
– Usage Rate: 29.5%
Cotton currently leads the league in scoring and three-pointers made (33), and there’s every indication that his season is only just getting started.
If he maintains this level of production and Adelaide continue to climb the standings, there’s a genuine possibility we could see Cotton claim a record-equalling seventh MVP award, joining Australian basketball great Andrew Gaze.
1 | WILL MAGNAY | TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS | +2
This selection will likely divide fans, but remember what the award stands for: Most Valuable Player.
And right now, for me, Will Magnay is the Tasmania JackJumpers’ most valuable player on a team sitting atop the NBL standings.
While his scoring numbers might not jump off the page compared with some of the league’s elite guards, it’s his all-round impact that separates him from the rest.
What stands out most is his playmaking.
Magnay currently ranks eighth in the league in assists at 5.0 per game and is the only big man inside the top 10.
To put that into perspective, Magnay set a career-high for assists in a season last year, recording 33 across 24 appearances.
Just seven games into NBL27, he’s already surpassed that mark with 35 assists and counting.
That remarkable improvement is complemented by his defensive dominance, with Magnay leading the league in blocks at 2.4 per game while also averaging 7.7 rebounds.
He’s not just protecting the rim. He’s facilitating Tasmania’s offence, creating opportunities for his teammates and making his presence felt at both ends of the floor.
Season averages: 16.3 PPG | 7.7 RPG | 5.0 APG | 2.4 BPG | 60.0% FG
Advanced statistics:
– True Shooting: 70.4%
– Offensive Rating: 142.6
– Defensive Rating: 112.1
– Usage Rate: 19.9%
When it comes to advanced metrics, Magnay leads the other four MVP candidates in true shooting percentage, offensive rating and efficiency differential (+30.5).
Those numbers reinforce just how valuable he has been to Tasmania’s success, particularly considering the JackJumpers sit first with a 5-2 record.
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Scoring will always attract attention in the MVP conversation, but Magnay is proving that an elite all-round game can be just as valuable.
And right now, there’s a strong argument that no player is having a greater overall impact on a winning team.
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