The Auckland Tuatara have cleaned up at the Sal’s NBL Awards announced on Wednesday with Rob Loe taking out the league MVP among a number of other awards.
The 31-year-old Kiwi posted averages of 20.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.1 blocks on 57.8% shooting from the field and 41.4% from three in 17 games this season.
Loe was also named Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring a team defence that allowed the least points per game (85.4, tied for 1st) in the league. Loe finished first in blocks, first in rebounding and fifth in steals.
Add in Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup), Most Outstanding NZ Forward (Stan Hill Trophy), and the All-Star Five to top off an incredible season for the 6-foot-10 Loe.
The awards didn’t end there for the Tuatara. Forward Charlie Dalton collected Most Improved Player for his stellar season. The former Rosmini College star compiled averages of 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds on 47.7% shooting from the floor, appearing in all 18 games for the Tuatara.
Those averages are up from 2.1 points and 1.0 rebounds in 2022 for Dalton, an impressive incline on a team loaded with veteran talent.
Joining Loe in the All-Star Five is Tuatara teammate Jarrad Weeks, who also completed a stellar regular season. The 34-year-old Weeks announced his retirement from basketball this year but showed he’s still got plenty left in the tank with his averages of 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 18 games.
Weeks also won the league’s Outstanding Guard award (Keith Carr Trophy).
The All-Star Five consisted of Loe, Weeks, Jeremy Kendle (Southland), Tevin Brown (Canterbury) and Todd Withers (Otago).
The Nuggets beat the Tuatara for Club of the Year.
Coach of the Year will be announced on Wednesday night, live on Hoop Heads on Sky Sport with Tuatara mentor Aaron Young favoured to get the gong.