Ranking NBL26's Five Most Impactful Players

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How much weight is applied to winning records for players to make the All-NBL First Team? That will determine whether two of the league's stars will make the team at the NBL26 Awards night in a couple of months.

These players are a virtual lock: Bryce Cotton; Kendric Davis; and Nathan Sobey. All three are legitimate MVP candidates but unfortunately for Davis and Sobey, Cotton casts a long shadow and if he doesn't win his sixth MVP it will be a shock.

Will team records play in a role in Jack McVeigh and JaVale McGee's McChances? Right now, their individual box scores and impact say they should but winning matters.

🏆 Top 5 Players in the League by Individual Impact

1. Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers)

The league-leader's offensive engine

Cotton remains the clear No.1 because of how he produces, not just how much.

• 25.7 PPG on 44% FG / 40% 3PT / 88% FT
• 7.8 APG – elite secondary and primary creation
• 2.1 SPG – defensive disruption at the point of attack
• Draws constant doubles; bends coverage every possession
• High usage without efficiency drop

Why he's In: Every scout is designed to stop him — and still can’t. He controls spacing, tempo, late-clocks, can be held in check for a quarter and still drop 35+. There's no player that creates more stress on opponents than Cotton. He's also a box office, big shot maker and has made the 36ers the NBL26 championship favourites.

2. Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings)

The league’s most press-resistant guard

• 23.5 PPG, 5.7 APG, 4.1 RPG
• Strong efficiency despite heavy on-ball workload
• Low turnovers for role responsibility (1.6 TPG)
• Elite at breaking first and second lines of defense to get to rim.

Why he’s in: Davis made no secret he thought the Sydney Kings were the best chance of him making the NBA after a tumultuous NBL25 in Adelaide. A coaching staff that includes Brian Goorjian and NBA champion Andrew Bogut has the 26-year-old Texan guard playing at an elite level. He was almost automatic against South East Melbourne Phoenix in Round 15, going 11-from-13 from the field, and 4-from-4 threes. He had 30 points in 31 minutes against the league's best defensive team.

3. Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix)

High-usage scorer who still defends

• 22.7 PPG, 4.6 APG
• 36% from three on high volume
• 1.9 SPG – strong defensive buy-in
• Operates as primary closer and momentum player

Why he’s in: Age is just a number to Nathan Sobey in NBL26. Much has been made of the 35-year-old shooting guard's impact in NBL26 but the bottom line is he's having a career year. He's averaging a career high 22.7 PPG, a near career high 4.6 APG, a career high 1.9 SPG all while leading the Phoenix to second on the ladder. The hype is earned and he's a legitimate MVP candidate.

4. Jack McVeigh (Cairns Taipans)

Elite efficiency + system execution

• 20.8 PPG on 54% FG / 39% 3PT
• 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG
• Low-ego scorer who punishes defensive mistakes
• High value within Tasmania’s read-and-react offence

Why he’s in: Strictly by his individual numbers, McVeigh is playing at an All-NBL First Team level but the Cairns Taipans aren't. Can the best player on the worst team make an All-NBL First Team? Strip away Cairns' 6-17 record and McVeigh's 20-6-4 numbers are almost worth his $1M pay packet. McVeigh, himself, has admitted it's the first time he's been the primary option on a team but he's getting it done without being a primary ball handler.

5. JaVale McGee (Illawarra Hawks)

The most impactful interior presence

• 21.1 PPG on 56% FG
• 10.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG
• Draws fouls and collapses the paint every touch
• Defensive anchor who alters shot selection

Why he’s in: Like McVeigh, JaVale McGee’s numbers put him the All-NBL First Team but Illawarra's record is an anchor. His presence changes the shape of the floor as much as his more than 900 NBA games experience does. His impact isn’t subtle — spacing, rim protection, and foul pressure and ability to score the ball makes him the best bigman in the league. McGee is the only player in the league averaging a double double. He is one of one.

NBL26 By the Numbers