Bryce Cotton Claims Sixth NBL MVP Award Amidst Kendric Davis’s Protest
Adelaide 36ers guard Bryce Cotton has secured his sixth NBL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, narrowly defeating Sydney Kings’ Kendric Davis by a mere two votes. The announcement, made at the Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night in Melbourne on Monday, February 23, 2026, was followed by a vocal protest from Davis, who expressed his frustration on social media.
Close Contest and Davis’s Disappointment
Cotton received 96 votes to Davis’s 94, a difference of just one vote that would have resulted in a tie. Davis, in his first season with the Sydney Kings, led his team to a top-two finish on the NBL ladder. He reacted strongly to the outcome, questioning the voting process in an Instagram Live video. He specifically called into question the inclusion of long-time NBL commentator John Casey on the voting panel.
Statistical Comparison
Both players demonstrated impressive statistics throughout the season. Cotton averaged 25.7 points per game, whereas Davis averaged 24.4 points. Davis exhibited greater shooting efficiency, with a 48% field goal percentage compared to Cotton’s 44%. Cotton led in assists (7.6 to 6.7) and steals (1.8 to 1.1), while Davis slightly edged out Cotton in rebounds (3.9 to 3.6).
Davis Voices Concerns
Davis voiced his belief that the award was a “popularity contest” and suggested that there was a deliberate effort to prevent him from winning. He stated, “They found every reason not to give it (the MVP) to me. It’s all political.” He also alluded to negative portrayals of his character earlier in the season, claiming they influenced the voting process.
Cotton’s Response
When questioned about Davis’s comments at a press conference, Cotton chose not to engage in a back-and-forth exchange. He stated he was “too busy paying for everybody’s drinks” and hadn’t fully heard the remarks.
Voting Process
The NBL MVP award is determined by votes from each club’s head coach and captain (or co-captains). Coaches’ votes represent their coaching staff, while captains’ votes represent the players. Players are not permitted to vote for teammates.
Other Award Winners
The Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night also recognized other outstanding achievements in the NBL. Brian Goorjian (Sydney Kings) was a finalist for the Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year award. Other finalists included Josh King (South East Melbourne Phoenix). Flynn Cameron (Adelaide 36ers), Makuach Maluach (Sydney Kings), and Sam Mennenga (New Zealand Breakers) were finalists for the Most Improved Player award. Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats), John Brown III (South East Melbourne Phoenix), and Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers) were nominated for Defensive Player of the Year.
Playoff Outlook
Despite the controversy surrounding the MVP award, both the Sydney Kings and the Adelaide 36ers are poised for the NBL playoffs. The Kings will face either the South East Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Wildcats, Melbourne United, or Tasmania JackJumpers in a best-of-three series. The 36ers will compete against either the Phoenix or the Wildcats for a spot in the grand final.