Australiabasket.com All-Australian NBL Awards 2015 - Mar 10, 2015
Australiabasket.com All-Australian NBL 1st Team 2015
Jackson
Wilson
McRae
Conklin
Motum
Finals MVP: Cedric Jackson (191-G-86) of Breakers Player of the Year: Jamar Wilson (185-PG-84) of 36ers Guard of the Year: Jamar Wilson (185-PG-84) of 36ers Forward of the Year: Brian Conklin (198-F-89) of Crocodiles Center of the Year: Brock Motum (208-F/C-90) of 36ers Six Player of the Year: Cameron Tragardh (209-C/F-83) of Taipans Most Improved Player of the Year: Corey Webster (188-G-88) of Breakers Domestic Player of the Year: Brock Motum (208-F/C-90) of 36ers Import Player of the Year: Jamar Wilson (185-PG-84) of 36ers Rookie of the Year: Angus Brandt (208-C-89) of Kings Defensive Player of the Year: Damian Martin (186-PG-84) of Wildcats Coach of the Year: Aaron Fearne of Taipans
Ekene Ibekwe buzzer-beater earns NZ Breakers fourth ANBL title - Mar 8, 2015
The NZ Breakers are champions again, thanks to a clutch, buzzer-beating, fade-away, title-winning jump shot from ice-cool big man Ekenechukwu Ibekwe (206-F/C-85, college: Maryland). It was, it turned out, just as coach Dean Vickerman drew it up, and Ibekwe's composure and execution did the rest to send a delirious capacity crowd of 4000 at the North Shore Events Centre into raptures as their Breakers were crowned champions of the Australian NBL for the fourth time in five seasons. In a terrific second game of a quality ANBL grand final series, the Breakers nailed an unlikely 83-81 victory over a gallant Cairns Taipans outfit, who looked for all money as if they were heading to a Game 3 decider throughout a surging final quarter. After winning Game 1 win Cairns on Friday night, today's win completed a 2-0 shutout of the Taipans and a second straight post-season sweep for the Auckland club, who have now won nine consecutive playoff games. Star point guard Cedric Jackson (191-G-86, college: Cleveland St.) was named MVP of the finals, but there was no doubt who the hero was after two free-throws from Scottie Wilbekin had tied the game at 81-81 with just 1.2 seconds left. Vickerman then drew up a seldom-used play that had star shooter Corey Webster (188-G-88, agency: Beo Basket, college: Lambuth) as the decoy, and Ibekwe as the recipient in a scheme that was supposed to see him curling to the bucket for an easy one. Instead the 2.08m, long-armed centre spun, faded away and then watched in delight as his high-arcing shot sailed through the net. "I just felt comfortable in stopping and popping," a grinning Ibekwe said afterwards. "I make that shot nine times out of 10, so I shot it." Yes, it was the biggest shot of his long career. "That's for a championship -- there's no bigger shot than that," he added. Vickerman said he had no hesitation drawing up the play for a fellow he took a big chance on, recruiting on the back of a season off dealing with injury. "It was something we've practised for this kind of situation," Vickerman said. "I guess people might have thought we'd go in a different direction, but I knew Corey could be a decoy, and it was just a fantastic shot for E." It had all looked so unlikely as the Breakers faced a six-point deficit (71-77) inside the final three minutes. A three from Thomas Abercrombie (198-F/G-87, college: Washington St.) who had a brilliant game, got things rolling and in a thrilling finish the home side came up big when it mattered. Mika Vukona (198-F-82) had levelled at 78-78 with 44 seconds left with a pugnacious putback, but that was just the start of things. With 17 seconds left Vukona made two free-throws to put his team back in front, 81-79, only for Wilbekin to level back up again with two foul shots of his own with just 1.2 seconds remaining. That just set up Ibekwe, the LA-born, Nigerian international, for his crowning moment and a crowd that had been the loudest in this venue's history into celebrate mode. The Breakers series win ends a drought of 14 years since the lower seeded team had won the grand final. The Taipans had produced a surging 20-14 third quarter to turn a 44-39 halftime deficit into a 59-58 lead after three. The visitors then edged out by a half-dozen on a succession of big triples, before the Breakers made that final, decisive surge. They got a huge game out of springy small forward Thomas Abercrombie, who paced his team with 19 points on seven-of-12 shooting. He made two of his four triples and added three steals in a game when he very much stood up and was counted. "Tommy battled all year with injuries, but he was finally close to getting his body right. The last couple of games he was that aggressive guy who wanted to take shots, and wanted the basketball," Vickerman said. Jackson, named MVP of the finals, had 15 points (6/17 FG), six rebounds, seven assists and three steals in performance brimming with intensity. He simply willed his team over the line. "He was really composed, he had a steely resolve on his face the whole night," Vickerman added. "He's a winner and just makes plays that help you win basketball games." Cool, clutch Ibekwe, the hero, added 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks, and no one will forget his final shot in a long, long time. Tai Wesley also had a big game off the bench with 12 points, five boards and two assists, the indefatigable Vukona finished with nine points and eight rebounds and Corey Webster chimed in with 11 points on five-of-11 shooting. They all played their part. But there was one broadly beaming star who was going to celebrate this long into the night. On ya, Ibekwe. Courtesy of: stuff.co.nz
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