Cleveland secures two NBL22 honours

The Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year will be staying in Illawarra after forward Antonius Cleveland took out the prestigious prize at Wednesday's Andrew Gaze MVP Awards ceremony.

A year after Justin Simon took out the award, Memphis product polled 47 votes, one more than Melbourne's Shea Ili and 23 more than Sydney's Xavier Cooks, to claim the honour during the virtual presentation held on ESPN.

Cleveland (37 votes) capped off an exceptional night for himself by being named to the All-NBL First Team, alongside Perth duo Bryce Cotton (47 votes) and Vic Law (32),  Melbourne's Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (45) and Sydney's Jaylen Adams (48).

The night was particularly special for the latter, who took out the night's top prize, the Andrew Gaze Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the NBL22 Season. 

Adams polled 105 votes, beating Perth’s Cotton (94 ) and Melbourne’s Lual-Acuil Jr (62), thanks to averages of 20.1 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds.

Illawarra's other shortlisted athlete Xavier Rathan-Mayes finished second in the Best Sixth Man presented by Marsh Insurance, award, finishing with 43, just behind winner Shae Ili and ahead of third-placed finisher Tasmania's Clint Steindl (25).

In other news, after leading the Tasmania JackJumpers to the Finals in their inaugural season, Scott Roth won the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year.

Roth's JackJumpers defeated every team at least once this season, a feat never achieved by a foundation club in its first season.

The All-NBL Second Team was comprised of Melbourne duo Chris Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova, Tasmania’s Josh Adams, Sydney’s Cooks and South East Melbourne’s Mitch Creek. 

The Cairns Taipans also featured, with Keanu Pinder taking home the Most Improved Player award while Bul Kuol won Rookie of the Year presented by Champion. 

Filipino sensation Kai Sotto was voted the Fans’ MVP, presented by Chemist Warehouse, after he captured the hearts and minds of Adelaide 36ers fans, with New Zealand's Simon Edwards (Executive of the Year), Tasmania's Jack McVeigh (Gametime by Kmart Award) and Vaughan Mayberry (Referee of the Year – Presented by Europcar) being recognised.