'Slap in face': Justin Tatum slams Wani DPOY snub

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Reigning Coach of the Year Justin Tatum used his last press conference to beat up on the NBL26 League Awards nominations after four-time champion Wani Swaka Lo Buluk wasn’t included in the Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year‍ list.

"One thing that does disturb me is these individual awards that the league gives out,” Tatum declared.

“One thing that concerns me is that I have, if not the most competitive, the best defender in the league, who wasn’t nominated – Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

“Not taking anything from the other nominees, but any competitor that goes against Wani every night, I know he’s at the top of their list of guys they hate being guarded by.

“To not see Wani’s name on there is very disturbing. I’m not sure what committee adds the names, but Wani played 33 games this year, started all 33, 50-40-90 guy, and his job is to guard the best player on every team.

“To not ever get a Defensive Player of the Year award, or even be nominated this year, is probably a joke to me.

“I don’t get it. I’m not taking anything away from the other nominees, but they’ve got to get it right.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re ranked seventh or eighth – these are individual awards. I feel Wani is one of the best, if not the best, defenders in this league.

“I just wanted to make sure I voiced my concern on that one.”

Tatum sends Swaka Lo Buluk at the best player night in and night out, including United’s Chris Goulding and David Johnson in the last two games of the season.

“I don’t know why he didn’t win it last year,” Tatum said.

“I don’t know how they judge or add people to awards.

“If it’s an individual award and not a team award, if you do your homework, if you’re Bryce Cotton, Kendrick Davis, Bryce Hamilton – you know Wani Swaka Lo Buluk is going to guard you. Every single game.

“For him not to even be nominated after playing every game is a slap in the face to him and his work ethic.

“That’s his skill set. I feel for sure he should be nominated.”

Born in South Sudan and raised in Perth from the age of four, Swaka Lo Buluk developed his game in Western Australia before spending two years at the NBA Global Academy and led WA to its first Under-18 National Championship in 17 years in 2018.

Perth Wildcats made him a development player in NBL19, and in three seasons, he won championships in 2019 and 2020. During that stretch, he also led the Warwick Senators to a championship.

He moved to the Sydney Kings for NBL22 and started on another championship team, cementing a league-wide reputation as one of the premier perimeter defenders.

His first season in Illawarra in NBL23 was solid. But it was the back half of the 2023–24 campaign where he truly found his rhythm, helping drive the Hawks to within one win of the Championship Series.

Then came NBL25 — and a fourth championship ring, playing a critical role in Illawarra’s title run.

Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year‍

• John Brown III (South East Melbourne)
• Xavier Cooks (Sydney)
• Kristian Doolittle (Perth)
• Bul Kuol (Sydney)
• Will Magnay (Tasmania)
• Nick Marshall (Tasmania)
• Tyson Walker (Melbourne)

Every NBL Defensive Player of the Year

• 2024–25 – Shea Ili (New Zealand) – Melbourne United
• 2023–24 – Shea Ili (New Zealand) – Melbourne United
• 2022–23 – Antonius Cleveland (United States) – Adelaide 36ers
• 2021–22 – Antonius Cleveland (United States) – Illawarra Hawks
• 2020–21 – Justin Simon (United States) – Illawarra Hawks
• 2019–20 – D. J. Newbill (United States) – Cairns Taipans
• 2018–19 – Andrew Bogut (Australia) – Sydney Kings
• 2017–18 – Damian Martin (Australia) – Perth Wildcats
• 2016–17 – Torrey Craig (United States) – Brisbane Bullets
• 2015–16 – Kevin Lisch (United States) – Illawarra Hawks
• 2014–15 – Damian Martin (Australia) – Perth Wildcats
• 2013–14 – Damian Martin (Australia) – Perth Wildcats
• 2012–13 – Damian Martin (Australia) – Perth Wildcats
• 2011–12 – Damian Martin (Australia) – Perth Wildcats
• 2010–11 – Damian Martin (Australia) – Perth Wildcats
• 2009–10 – Dillon Boucher (New Zealand) – New Zealand Breakers
• 2008–09 – Adam Gibson (Australia) – South Dragons
• 2007–08 – Chris Anstey (Australia) – Melbourne Tigers
• 2006–07 – Sam Mackinnon (Australia) – Brisbane Bullets
• 2005–06 – Darnell Mee (United States) – Cairns Taipans
• 2004–05 – Darnell Mee (United States) – Wollongong Hawks
• 2003–04 – Ben Castle (Australia) – Brisbane Bullets
• 2002–03 – Glen Saville (Australia) – Wollongong Hawks
• 2001–02 – Simon Dwight (Australia) – West Sydney Razorbacks
• 2000–01 – Darnell Mee (United States) – Adelaide 36ers
• 1999–00 – Darnell Mee (United States) – Adelaide 36ers
• 1998–99 – Darnell Mee (United States) – Adelaide 36ers
• 1998 – Mike Kelly (United States) – South East Melbourne Magic
• 1997 – Mike Kelly (United States) – South East Melbourne Magic
• 1996 – Isaac Burton (United States) – Sydney Kings
• 1995 – Darren Lucas (Australia) – South East Melbourne Magic
• 1994 – Darren Lucas (Australia) – South East Melbourne Magic
• 1993 – Terry Dozier (United States) – Newcastle Falcons
• 1992 – Terry Dozier (United States) – Newcastle Falcons
• 1991 – Terry Dozier (United States) – Geelong Supercats
• 1990 – Leroy Loggins (United States) – Brisbane Bullets
• 1989 – Phil Smyth (Australia) – Canberra Cannons
• 1988 – Phil Smyth (Australia) – Canberra Cannons
• 1987 – Leroy Loggins (United States) – Brisbane Bullets
• 1986 – N/A
• 1985 – N/A
• 1984 – N/A
• 1983 – Phil Smyth (Australia) – Canberra Cannons
• 1982 – Phil Smyth (Australia) – St. Kilda Saints
• 1981 – Ray Wood (Australia) – West Adelaide Bearcats
• 1980 – Ray Wood (Australia) – West Adelaide Bearcats

2026 Andrew Gaze Trophy for Most Valuable Player Nominations‍

• John Brown III (South East Melbourne)
• Zylan Cheatham (Adelaide)
• Xavier Cooks (Sydney)
• Bryce Cotton (Adelaide)
• Kendric Davis (Sydney)
• Kristian Doolittle (Perth)
• Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania)
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand)
• JaVale McGee (Illawarra)
• Jack McVeigh (Cairns)
• Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne)

2026 Most Improved Player Nominations‍

• Josh Bannan (Tasmania)
• Flynn Cameron (Adelaide)
• Owen Foxwell (South East Melbourne)
• Makuach Maluach (Sydney)
• Nick Marshall (Tasmania)
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)

2026 Best Sixth Man Nominations‍

• Majok Deng (Tasmania)
• Angus Glover (South East Melbourne)
• Will Hickey (Illawarra)
• Kouat Noi (Sydney)
• Nick Rakocevic (Adelaide)

2026 Next Generation Award Nominations‍

• Owen Foxwell (South East Melbourne)
• Jaylin Galloway (Sydney)
• Ben Henshall (Perth)
• Karim Lopez (New Zealand)
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand)