List of National Basketball League (Australia) annual scoring leaders explained

In basketball, points are accumulated through free throws or field goals.[1] The National Basketball League's (NBL) scoring title is awarded to the player with the highest points per game average in a given season. The scoring title was originally determined by total points scored through the 1996 season, after which points per game was used to determine the leader instead.[2] Players who earned scoring titles before the 1984 season did not record any three-point field goals because the three-point line had just been implemented in the NBL at the start of that season.[3]

Andrew Gaze has won the most scoring titles, with 14. He also holds the all-time records for total points scored (1,007; 1991)[4] and points per game (44.1; 1987)[5] in a season. Between 1986 and 2001, Gaze was the leader in either total points or points per game every season. While he led the NBL in points per game in 1987 (44.1) and 1990 (37.6), he was not the leader in total points scored. His 882 total points in 1987 were third best behind Paul Stanley (920) and James Crawford (903),[6] while his 828 points in 1990 were also third best behind Derek Rucker (865) and Wayne McDaniel (848).[7]

Key

Denotes player who won the Most Valuable Player award that year
Player (X)Denotes the number of times the player had been the scoring leader up to and including that season
GGuardFForwardCCenter

Scoring leaders

SeasonPlayerPosNationalityTeamGames playedTotal pointsRef
1979Cal BrutonGBrisbane Bullets18597
Rocky SmithGSt. Kilda Saints22737
Mike JonesF/CIllawarra Hawks22671
1982Reg BiddingsFAdelaide City Eagles26782
1983Mike Jones (2)F/CIllawarra Hawks22719[8] [9]
1984Al GreenGWest Adelaide Bearcats21829
1985Kendal PinderF/CSydney Supersonics26871
1986Andrew GazeGMelbourne Tigers25922
1987Paul StanleyFHobart Devils26920
1988Andrew Gaze (2)GMelbourne Tigers24886
1989Andrew Gaze (3)GMelbourne Tigers24831
Derek RuckerGBrisbane Bullets25865
Andrew Gaze (4)GMelbourne Tigers261,007
Andrew Gaze (5)GMelbourne Tigers23811
1993Andrew Gaze (6)GMelbourne Tigers26858
Andrew Gaze (7)GMelbourne Tigers26890
Andrew Gaze (8)GMelbourne Tigers26900
Andrew Gaze (9)GMelbourne Tigers26843
SeasonPlayerPosNationalityTeamGames playedPoints per gameRef
Andrew Gaze (10)GMelbourne Tigers3031.5
Andrew Gaze (11)GMelbourne Tigers3031.8
1998–99Andrew Gaze (12)GMelbourne Tigers1733.5
1999–00Andrew Gaze (13)GMelbourne Tigers2828.9
2000–01Andrew Gaze (14)GMelbourne Tigers2729.1
2001–02Randy RutherfordGBrisbane Bullets3025.0[10]
2002–03John RillieGWest Sydney Razorbacks1623.6[11]
Matthew NielsenFSydney Kings3323.5
Brian WethersG/FHunter Pirates3224.3[12]
2005–06Cortez GrovesGWollongong Hawks3224.1
2006–07Carlos PowellFNew Zealand Breakers3328.2[13]
2007–08Ebi EreG/FBrisbane Bullets2927.1[14]
Kirk PenneyG/FNew Zealand Breakers2824.2[15] [16] [17]
2009–10Kirk Penney (2)G/FNew Zealand Breakers1923.2[18] [19]
2010–11Kirk Penney (3)G/FNew Zealand Breakers2320.1[20]
Kevin LischGPerth Wildcats2817.6[21]
2012–13Ben MadgenG/FSydney Kings2817.9[22] [23]
2013–14Chris GouldingGMelbourne Tigers2723.0[24]
2014–15Josh ChildressFSydney Kings1821.1[25]
2015–16Jerome RandleGAdelaide 36ers2323.0[26]
2016–17Bryce CottonGPerth Wildcats1122.1
2017–18Jerome Randle (2)GSydney Kings1919.8
2018–19Bryce Cotton (2)GPerth Wildcats2522.5[27]
Bryce Cotton (3)GPerth Wildcats2722.6[28]
Bryce Cotton (4)GPerth Wildcats3223.5[29] [30]
2021–22Bryce Cotton (5)GPerth Wildcats2822.7[31]
2022–23Bryce Cotton (6)GPerth Wildcats2823.5[32] [33]
Bryce Cotton (7)GPerth Wildcats2723.1[34]

Multiple-time leaders

RankingPlayerTeamTimes leaderYears
1Andrew GazeMelbourne Tigers141986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
2Bryce CottonPerth Wildcats72017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
3Kirk PenneyNew Zealand Breakers32009, 2010, 2011
4Mike JonesIllawarra Hawks21981, 1983
Jerome RandleAdelaide 36ers (1) / Sydney Kings (1)2016, 2018

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Basketball glossary. FIBA.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100516175956/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/baskBasi/glos.asp. 16 May 2010.
  2. Web site: All Time Leaders. NBL.com.au. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170923062541/http://nbl.gearbox.performgroup.com/nbl-all-time-leaders. 23 September 2017.
  3. Web site: NBL All-Time Statistics. aussiehoopla.com. 12 December 2019. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20191009062652/http://www.aussiehoopla.com/nbl-all-time-statistics/. 9 October 2019.
  4. Web site: Andrew Gaze. musictheatreaustralia.com.au. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100818154617/http://www.musictheatreaustralia.com.au/component/entertainers/andrew_gaze/4779. 18 August 2010. Back home in Australia in 1991 he became the first NBL player to shoot over 1,000 points in a season..
  5. Web site: History. NBL.com.au. 1 November 2019. Gaze is the NBL's all-time leading scorer with 18,908 total points, and he led the league in scoring a record 14 times, including a League record 44.1 points per game in 1987..
  6. Web site: Compeitition Statistics for NBL 1987. SportsTG.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191101070828/http://websites.sportstg.com/comp_info.cgi?client=0-189-12322-125718-0&a=STATS&sgroup=scoring&sgstat=Pts. 1 November 2019.
  7. Web site: Compeitition Statistics for NBL 1990. SportsTG.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191211081937/http://websites.sportstg.com/comp_info.cgi?client=0-189-12322-125719-0&a=STATS&sgroup=scoring&sgstat=Pts. 11 December 2019.
  8. Web site: Player statistics for Michael Jones – 1983. SportsTG.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191119135030/http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190395952&client=0-189-12315-125724-369910. 19 November 2019.
  9. Web site:
    1. FlashbackFriday to the first Illawarra Hawks NBL MVP Mike Jones!
    . facebook.com/TheNBL. 25 March 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191119135244/https://www.facebook.com/TheNBL/photos/a.134898413228723/1093635160688372/?type=3&theater. 19 November 2019. He also led the League in scoring in his final year at 32.7 ppg in 1983..
  10. Web site: Nagy. Boti. The Adelaide 36ers' imports all started with Reg 'Sir Reginald' Biddings back in 1982. heraldsun.com. 12 July 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191104155608/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/the-adelaide-36ers-imports-all-started-with-reg-sir-reginald-biddings-back-in-1982/news-story/9082836a7495debcbef8e565b0c6acfe. 4 November 2019. ...with Willie Farley in 2002 scoring 24.9 points per game to finish second by a free throw to Brisbane Bullets' import Randy Rutherford's 25.0 points per night..
  11. Web site: Rillie Wins Scoring Title. NBL.com.au. 4 March 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20030429082228/http://www.nbl.com.au/fs_newsitem.asp?id=698&orgID=3&Oname=NBL&O1c=11&O10c=12. 29 April 2003.
  12. Web site: Hunter's Wethers named NBL MVP. smh.com.au. 24 March 2005. live. https://archive.today/20191025135855/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/hunters-wethers-named-nbl-mvp-20050324-gdkztz.html. 25 October 2019. Wethers won the NBL's scoring title, averaging 24.3 points per game.... 18 December 2019.
  13. Web site: Powell scoops Breakers awards. tvnz.co.nz. 20 February 2007. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070223060922/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/995990. 23 February 2007. The 23-year-old was in scintillating form in his debut season in the ANBL, averaging a league-high 28.2 points per game....
  14. Web site: The continuing story of Ebi Ere. NBL.com.au. 2 February 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160203014032/http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/the-continuing-story-of-ebi-ere/. 3 February 2016. His resume also boasts being the NBL's leading scorer in 2008 (27.1 points per game)....
  15. Web site: Penney becomes first NZer to win Aussie basketball league MVP. newshub.co.nz. 9 March 2009. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160311085534/http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/penney-becomes-first-nzer-to-win-aussie-basketball-league-mvp-2009030914. 11 March 2016.
  16. Web site: NZL/AUS - Penney becomes first Kiwi to capture MVP honor in Australian NBL. fiba.basketball. 13 March 2009. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191025055256/http://www.fiba.basketball/news/NZL-AUS-Penney-becomes-first-Kiwi-to-capture-MVP-honor-in-Australian-NBL. 25 October 2019.
  17. Web site: Spurs Add Kirk Penney To Training Camp Roster. NBA.com. 28 September 2010. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20101001120303/https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/penny_100928.html. 1 October 2010.
  18. Web site: Hinton. Marc. Kirk Penney nets another Breakers MVP award. Stuff.co.nz. 26 February 2010. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100304080200/http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/3377684/Kirk-Penney-nets-another-Breakers-MVP-award. 4 March 2010.
  19. Web site: Little guy Randle slaying NBL giants. sbs.com.au. 25 January 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191025060148/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/little-guy-randle-slaying-nbl-giants. 25 October 2019. ...he will finish ahead of Kirk Penney (23.2 ppg, 2009-10)....
  20. Web site: Basketball: Muted celebrations for Breakers. odt.co.nz. 5 April 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191025064058/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/basketball/basketball-muted-celebrations-breakers. 25 October 2019.
  21. Web site: Lisch wins NBL top gong. abc.net.au. 27 March 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191025083543/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-27/lisch-wins-nbl-top-gong/3914288. 25 October 2019. Lisch led the NBL in scoring at 17.6 points per game....
  22. Web site: Ward. Roy. Madgen becomes latest signing for new SE Melbourne Phoenix. smh.com.au. 19 February 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190220034659/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/madgen-becomes-latest-signing-for-new-se-melbourne-phoenix-20190207-p50wf4.html. 20 February 2019. The 34-year-old South Australian represented the Sydney Kings from 2010-2015, leading the NBL in scoring in 2013 and making the All-NBL first team..
  23. Web site: NBL leading scorer Ben Madgen joins Melbourne Phoenix. heraldsun.com.au. 19 February 2019. live. https://archive.today/20191025084307/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-leading-scorer-ben-madgen-joins-melbourne-phoenix/news-story/908f9657e407e882086ce217a0b7322d. 25 October 2019. Now 34, Madgen averaged 17.9 point per game in the 2012-13 NBL when he played for the Sydney Kings.. 18 December 2019.
  24. Web site: Goulding claims scoring title. NBL.com.au. 24 March 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140324070645/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/735s91sm2bxi1mwom4szwp2sm. 24 March 2014.
  25. Web site: Childress remains a King. NBL.com.au. 2 July 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109234738/http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-team-news/childress-remains-a-king-2/. 9 January 2016. The 32-year old led the NBL in points with 21.1 per game....
  26. Web site: Nagy. Boti. Adelaide 36ers fans rejoice as Jerome Randle signs for 2016-17 NBL season. adelaidenow.com.au. 2 March 2019. live. https://archive.today/20191025090638/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/adelaide-36ers-fans-rejoice-as-jerome-randle-signs-for-201617-nbl-season/news-story/ae3922f3adfaa571488511d92a6b3ffb. 25 October 2019. Randle this season made history as the first 36er to lead the NBL in scoring, delivering 23.0 points per game.. 18 December 2019.
  27. Web site: O'Donoghue. Craig. Wildcats' Bryce Cotton misses out on NBL MVP award. TheWest.com.au. 17 February 2019. 2 March 2019. Cotton averaged 22.5 points per game to lead the league in scoring....
  28. Web site: Bryce Cotton ends the regular season as the first player.... twitter.com/nblfacts. 15 February 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200215143215/https://twitter.com/nblfacts/status/1228637876780331008. 15 February 2020.
  29. Web site: Averaging a career-high 23.5 points per game, reigning.... twitter.com/PerthWildcats. 9 June 2021. 9 June 2021.
  30. Web site: STAT'S. A. WRAP.. twitter.com/NBL. 9 June 2021. 9 June 2021.
  31. Web site: For an incredible fourth-straight season, Bryce Cotton is the NBL22 Scoring Champion!. twitter.com/PerthWildcats. 25 April 2022. 25 April 2022.
  32. Web site: Pike. Chris. NBL's 'great disappointments' after shocking world; side that defied all odds — every team rated. foxsports.com.au. 6 February 2023. 6 February 2023. Bryce Cotton is every chance to win a fourth MVP award after being the league's leading scorer with 23.5 points a game....
  33. Web site: Woods. Dan. Stat Chat: Season Leaders. NBL.com.au. 8 February 2023. 8 February 2023.
  34. Web site: Cotton wins fourth Andrew Gaze Trophy as NBL's best. Wildcats.com.au. 19 February 2024. 19 February 2024. The 31-year-old recovered from a slow start to the season to average a competition-high 23.1 points....

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