Sydney star Xavier Cooks has capped off a stunning season by being named the NBL’s Most Valuable Player, adding to his allure for already keen NBA teams.
The 27-year-old big man did it all this season, averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in leading his team to the minor premiership, dominating both ends of the floor as a hyper-efficient anchor for the Kings.
Ballarat-born Cooks, who grew up in Wollongong while father Eric played for the Hawks, was a runaway winner of the Andrew Gaze Trophy, beating out Perth’s triple-MVP Bryce Cotton by 24 votes. Star South East Melbourne forward Mitch Creek was third.
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Only injury has stood in the way of Cooks being the league’s best player in each of the past two years and the top individual honour is rich reward…
