Adelaide 36ers guard Dejan Vasiljevic has suggested a shared MVP award between Sydney Kings’ Kendric Davis and his former teammate Bryce Cotton may be warranted, as Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie confirmed reports that veteran Nick Kay will return to the club to finish his career.
The NBL MVP award will be presented on Monday, with Davis and Cotton widely considered the frontrunners. Vasiljevic, speaking on SEN WA Breakfast, argued that both players are indispensable to their respective teams’ success.
“Honestly this might sound a bit controversial, I think it’ll be the first time in NBL history that there’s a kind of a dual MVP,” Vasiljevic said. “Like both of them will win because if you take either player out of the court of their respective teams, I don’t think Sydney’s first and I don’t think Adelaide’s second. So I think they’re most valuable for their team.”
Vasiljevic’s suggestion of a shared award is rare, though not unprecedented in NBL history. Co-host Scott Cummings supported the idea, noting the contrasting ladder positions of the two players’ teams. “You’ve got two guys in two very good teams that have had such a big impact,” Cummings said. “If we get Bryce Cotton, there’s going to be people who say it should have been Davis.”
The debate centers on the definition of “most valuable,” whether it signifies the league’s best individual player or the player whose absence would most significantly impact their team’s performance. Vasiljevic believes that awarding both players would avoid potential disrespect to either candidate. “I think if one wins and one doesn’t, the disrespect is probably going to be high,” he said. “That’s why I think, if you give it to both of them… take them out of their clubs, who knows where those teams finish.”
With one regular season game remaining for both teams – Sydney facing Brisbane and Adelaide meeting Perth – the MVP race is set to conclude on the final night of competition.
Meanwhile, John Rillie has confirmed the impending return of Nick Kay to the Perth Wildcats. Kay, a two-time NBL champion with Perth in 2019 and 2020, currently plays for Shimane Susanoo Magic in Japan’s B1 League. Rillie’s confirmation came during an interview on SEN WA Breakfast, responding to a discussion about Kay’s potential return.
“He will finish with the Wildcats, he will come back. He will play with the Wildcats,” host Tim Gossage stated. Rillie responded, “Your mail’s correct this time.”
While financial constraints currently prevent Kay’s immediate return from the more lucrative Japanese league, Rillie’s comments indicate a firm agreement for Kay to conclude his NBL career in Perth. Kay, 33, has maintained close ties with the Wildcats, frequently training with the club during his off-seasons. He also remains a key member of the Australian Boomers national team.
The Wildcats face the Adelaide 36ers on Friday, with a win securing fourth place and a Seeding Qualifier berth. A loss, combined with a Melbourne United victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix, would observe Perth drop to fifth and face the Tasmania JackJumpers in the Play-In tournament.
