19
Dec
Celebrating 2025: The Bouncies
From Giddey to Cotton, legends rose, stars were born and moments lived forever at the 2025 Bouncies.
The end of 2025 means only one thing at Basketball.com.au and BouncePass, it's time to break out the inaugural edition of 'The Bouncies'.
It is time to hand out the hardware, relive the moments, and celebrate the players and people who made 2025 unforgettable.
No suits. No long speeches. Just vibes, buckets, and a whole lot of love for Australian basketball.
Welcome to the 2025 Bouncies.
Women’s Player of the Year: Alanna Smith
History made. Alanna Smith became only the second international player ever to win WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, joining Australian icon Lauren Jackson in elite company. Her STOCKS (steals and blocks) efforts put the league on notice.
As the saying goes, defence wins championships, and Alanna owned that end of the floor alongside her co-winner A'ja Wilson.
Men’s Player of the Year: Josh Giddey
Honestly, what else is there to say? Nearly a triple double average. A game winner. A walk-off moment over LeBron. Then a $100 million contract for good measure. Josh Giddey turned consistency into dominance and moments into memories. Superstar stuff, all year long.
Women’s Rising Star: Sitaya Fagan
Is there anything left to tick off in her junior caeer? Silver medallist at the FIBA U19 World Cup. Gold at the U17 Oceania Cup. A USC commit. Oh, and starring in a brand new Mitsubishi commercial produced by Basketball.com.au. Sitaya did not just arrive in 2025, she announced herself.
Men’s Rising Star: Luke Paul
The next name you are going to hear a lot. Luke Paul burst onto the scene as the next can’t-miss prospect in Australian basketball. Repping WA, he put up big numbers for the West Australians at the national champs as well as Australia at the U16 Asia Cup, where he took home MVP honours.
We cannot wait to see where this journey goes next.
Women’s Play of the Year: Abbey Ellis
Just enjoy it.
Men’s Play of the Year: Josh Giddey
The game winner. The gooseneck pose. Watching LeBron having to walk off the court, pure cinema. No notes. We were absolutely here for it.
Dunk of the Year: Johnny Furphy
The dunk heard around the world. You know the one. The poster. The meme. The replay you have watched more times than you would like to admit. We almost feel bad for Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue. Almost.
Stat’s Amazing: Dyson Daniels
7-0. That is 70 straight NBA games with a steal. The fourth longest streak in league history, behind Michael Jordan, Chris Paul, and Alvin Robertson. Defence like that deserves its own lane. Kudos, Dyson.
Bloke of the Year: Matthew Dellavedova
This one hit different. Giving up your NBL Finals MVP award to Will Hickey is not just classy, it is everything basketball culture should be about. Leadership, humility, and putting the team first. Honestly, what a bloke.
Dead Set Legend: Tess Madgen
A career worthy of a standing ovation. Two-time Olympian. Olympic bronze medallist. Now stepping into coaching with the Bendigo Braves in NBL1. Tess Madgen gave everything to the game and is still giving back. Dead set legend behaviour.
Australian of the Year: Bryce Cotton
As true blue as it gets, he officially became an Australian in 2025, and still doing Bryce Cotton things.
Give Em Fits: Grace George
Her Instagram feed became her runway in 2025 as we were front row on her recovery journey, and her fashion show. In a world full of polos and plaid, we loved seeing which fit she was rocking each post this year.
That is a wrap on the 2025 Bouncies. Thanks for riding with us all year on Basketball.com.au and BouncePass.
