Perth Wildcats legend Cotton claims fifth NBL MVP title

NBL legend Bryce Cotton has added to his growing legacy by claiming a fifth MVP award as he prepares to spearhead the Perth Wildcats' latest title bid.

Only Andrew Gaze (seven) has more MVP nods than Cotton, who was confirmed as the league's best player again with 119 votes at the annual awards ceremony in Melbourne on Monday night.

Adelaide guard Kendric Davis (82 votes) and South East Melbourne forward Matt Hurt (65) filled out the placings after producing stellar individual campaigns.

But Cotton was the outstanding candidate, having overcome a serious rib injury to average a career-high 28.6 points and 4.6 assists per game, leading the Wildcats to an 18-11 record in another exceptional season.

The 32-year-old guard has scored 40 or more points six times this term - the first player to do so in a single season since Melbourne Tigers great Gaze in 1993.

"It's just staying hungry," Cotton said.

"No matter what, I understand the journey I've had since I was a young kid. I've had to fight to get to where I'm at at every level.

"No matter the success I have or the adversity I face, my mentality is always to keep pushing, as my Grandpa would say, until the ball runs out of air."

Already a three-time NBL champion and two-time grand final MVP, Cotton previously won the league's MVP award in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2024.

Despite edging closer, he isn't motivated by matching or beating Gaze's record.

"I never compare myself to nobody, this is a race against myself," Cotton said.

"I started this journey with me and my mum and my gran, and it's still me and my mum, so we're just gonna keep doing it like that.

"Wherever it goes, it goes."

Cotton shapes as one of the key figures in this year's championship race, with third seeds Perth to host South East Melbourne in a Seeding Qualifier on Tuesday night.

He did not attend Monday night's awards ceremony, understandably opting to remain in Perth with his teammates to prepare for the finals opener.

Cotton was also voted the NBL fans' MVP and named in the All-NBL First Team, which included Davis, Hurt and Illawarra Hawks pair Trey Kell III and Tyler Harvey.

Illawarra's Justin Tatum (78 votes) claimed the Lindsay Gaze Trophy as coach of the year, having guided the Hawks to a top-of-the-ladder finish for the first time in the NBL foundation club's history.

South East Melbourne's Josh King (39 votes) was second after signing mid-season and steering his team into the finals, following a 0-5 start and the sacking of predecessor Mike Kelly.

Sydney Kings forward Alex Toohey won the next generation award ahead of Perth's Ben Henshall and Cairns' Taran Armstrong.

Melbourne United's Shea Ili was named the league's best defensive player for the second year running, while Sydney's Kouat Noi was selected as the best sixth man.

Brisbane Bullets centre Tyrell Harrison was named most improved player.