2015–16 NBL season

The 2015–16 NBL season was the 38th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The regular season was played between 7 October 2015 and 14 February 2016, followed by a post-season featuring the top four in late February and March 2016.

2015–16 NBL season
LeagueNational Basketball League
Season2015–16
Dates7 October 2015 – 6 March 2016
Number of teams8
TV partner(s)Australia: New Zealand: Online:
Regular season
Season championsMelbourne United
Season MVPAustralia Kevin Lisch (Illawarra)
Finals
ChampionsPerth Wildcats (7th title)
  Runners-upNew Zealand Breakers
SemifinalistsMelbourne United
Illawarra Hawks
Finals MVPAustralia Damian Martin (Perth)
Statistical leaders
PointsUnited States Jerome Randle (Adelaide)23.0
ReboundsAustralia Daniel Johnson (Adelaide)9.3
AssistsUnited States Cedric Jackson (New Zealand)6.6
NBL seasons

During the off-season the Wollongong Hawks reverted to their original name Illawarra Hawks which was last used in 1998.

Australian broadcast rights to the season are held by Fox Sports, in the first year of a five-year deal, with one game per week simulcast on the Nine Network. In New Zealand Sky Sport are the official league broadcaster.

Pre-season

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2015 NBL Pre-Season Blitz

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A pre-season tournament featuring all eight teams was held on 24–27 September 2015 at Townsville RSL Stadium, Townsville. The winner will receive the third annual Loggins-Bruton Cup.

23 September 2015Cairns Taipans68–61Perth WildcatsTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
23 September 2015Townsville Crocodiles75–79New Zealand BreakersTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
24 September 2015Melbourne United106–99Illawarra HawksTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
24 September 2015Adelaide 36ers95–84Sydney KingsTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
25 September 2015New Zealand Breakers80–86Perth WildcatsTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
25 September 2015Townsville Crocodiles67–82Cairns TaipansTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
26 September 2015Illawarra Hawks78–73Sydney KingsTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
26 September 2015Melbourne United89–85Adelaide 36ersTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
26 September 2015Cairns Taipans105–100New Zealand BreakersTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
26 September 2015Perth Wildcats84–47Townsville CrocodilesTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
27 September 2015Sydney Kings56–92Melbourne UnitedTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville
27 September 2015Adelaide 36ers86–70Illawarra HawksTownsville RSL Stadium, Townsville

Melbourne United are pre-season champions.

Regular season

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Round 1

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7 October 2015Adelaide 36ers90–71New Zealand BreakersTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 4,520
8 October 2015Cairns Taipans79–74Illawarra HawksCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,750
9 October 2015Townsville Crocodiles84–99Melbourne UnitedTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
10 October 2015Sydney Kings87–63Cairns TaipansQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,505
10 October 2015Adelaide 36ers66–79Perth WildcatsTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 4,612
11 October 2015New Zealand Breakers89–81Townsville CrocodilesVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: 5,294
11 October 2015Melbourne United93–81Illawarra HawksHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 7,009

Round 2

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14 October 2015Illawarra Hawks96–75New Zealand BreakersWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: 2,524
15 October 2015Sydney Kings77–80Townsville CrocodilesQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,050
16 October 2015Melbourne United84–75Adelaide 36ersHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,243
16 October 2015Perth Wildcats83–80New Zealand BreakersPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 11,645
17 October 2015Sydney Kings86–100Illawarra HawksQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
17 October 2015Cairns Taipans80–74Townsville CrocodilesCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: 4,850

Round 3

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21 October 2015New Zealand Breakers74–64Sydney KingsNorth Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: 3,357
21 October 2015Melbourne United93–62Townsville CrocodilesHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
22 October 2015Adelaide 36ers88–79Cairns TaipansTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,895
23 October 2015Sydney Kings80–91Adelaide 36ersQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
23 October 2015Perth Wildcats63–66Townsville CrocodilesPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,423
24 October 2015Melbourne United89–80Cairns TaipansHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
25 October 2015Illawarra Hawks99–106Perth WildcatsWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA

Round 4

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28 October 2015New Zealand Breakers90–67Cairns TaipansVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: 4,347
28 October 2015Townsville Crocodiles88–96Illawarra HawksTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
29 October 2015Melbourne United75–73Perth WildcatsHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 4,822
30 October 2015Sydney Kings87–78Townsville CrocodilesQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
31 October 2015Adelaide 36ers101–104Cairns TaipansTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
31 October 2015Perth Wildcats91–62Illawarra HawksPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,432
1 November 2015Melbourne United96–82Sydney KingsHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 8,464

Round 5

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4 November 2015Townsville Crocodiles89–77Perth WildcatsTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
5 November 2015New Zealand Breakers98–88Adelaide 36ersNorth Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: 3,170
5 November 2015Sydney Kings94–105Melbourne UnitedQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,001
6 November 2015Illawarra Hawks96–88Cairns TaipansWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
6 November 2015Perth Wildcats85–77Townsville CrocodilesPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,809
7 November 2015Adelaide 36ers99–98Sydney KingsTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,460
8 November 2015Melbourne United87–86New Zealand BreakersHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 9,020

Round 6

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11 November 2015Illawarra Hawks96–99Perth WildcatsWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
12 November 2015Sydney Kings106–84Adelaide 36ersQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: 2,932
13 November 2015New Zealand Breakers88–80Perth WildcatsVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA
13 November 2015Cairns Taipans82–70Melbourne UnitedCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: 4,584
14 November 2015Adelaide 36ers89–65Townsville CrocodilesTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,975

Round 7

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18 November 2015Adelaide 36ers88–94Perth WildcatsTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 4,590
19 November 2015Sydney Kings74–86New Zealand BreakersQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
20 November 2015Melbourne United78–82Townsville CrocodilesHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 6,288
21 November 2015Adelaide 36ers89–77Illawarra HawksTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,569
22 November 2015New Zealand Breakers80–69Melbourne UnitedVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA
22 November 2015Perth Wildcats91–90Cairns TaipansPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,301

Round 8

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25 November 2015Illawarra Hawks96–90Sydney KingsWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
26 November 2015Townsville Crocodiles63–66Melbourne UnitedTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: 2,795
27 November 2015Cairns Taipans83–88Adelaide 36ersCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: 4,082
27 November 2015Perth Wildcats86–80New Zealand BreakersPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,827
28 November 2015Illawarra Hawks108–70Townsville CrocodilesWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA

Round 9

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2 December 2015New Zealand Breakers99–78Perth WildcatsNorth Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA
2 December 2015Townsville Crocodiles96–70Cairns TaipansTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
3 December 2015Illawarra Hawks102–87Melbourne UnitedWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
4 December 2015Cairns Taipans101–83Sydney KingsCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,721
4 December 2015Perth Wildcats90–72Adelaide 36ersPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,284
5 December 2015Townsville Crocodiles75–86New Zealand BreakersTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
6 December 2015Melbourne United89–86Adelaide 36ersHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 9,399

Round 10

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9 December 2015Illawarra Hawks97–82Cairns TaipansWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
10 December 2015Townsville Crocodiles101–100Adelaide 36ersTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
10 December 2015Perth Wildcats113–83Melbourne UnitedPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,530
11 December 2015New Zealand Breakers96–84Sydney KingsVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA
11 December 2015Cairns Taipans103–101 (2OT)Illawarra HawksCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
12 December 2015Adelaide 36ers76–66Townsville CrocodilesTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,638
13 December 2015Sydney Kings69–87Perth WildcatsQantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: 8,832

Round 11

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16 December 2015Melbourne United81–96Sydney KingsHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 7,344
17 December 2015Cairns Taipans70–73Perth WildcatsCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
18 December 2015Illawarra Hawks102–83Sydney KingsWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
19 December 2015Townsville Crocodiles75–58Perth WildcatsTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
20 December 2015New Zealand Breakers83–107Illawarra HawksVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA

Round 12

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23 December 2015Adelaide 36ers91–81Melbourne UnitedTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 7,641
27 December 2015Sydney Kings83–93New Zealand BreakersSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,561
27 December 2015Melbourne United92–87Perth WildcatsHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,200

Round 13

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30 December 2015Sydney Kings90–100Melbourne UnitedSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,446
31 December 2015Cairns Taipans73–66New Zealand BreakersCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
31 December 2015Townsville Crocodiles74–98Illawarra HawksTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,234
2 January 2016Sydney Kings87–77Cairns TaipansSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA

Round 14

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6 January 2016Cairns Taipans71–61Perth WildcatsCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
7 January 2016Melbourne United97–96Illawarra HawksState Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
8 January 2016New Zealand Breakers81–87Adelaide 36ersNorth Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: 3,951
8 January 2016Cairns Taipans75–61Townsville CrocodilesCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
9 January 2016Sydney Kings90–114Illawarra HawksSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA

Round 15

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13 January 2016Cairns Taipans65–83Melbourne UnitedCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
14 January 2016Illawarra Hawks87–69New Zealand BreakersWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: 3,308
15 January 2016Melbourne United98–68Cairns TaipansState Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
15 January 2016Perth Wildcats95–68Sydney KingsPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 11,370
16 January 2016Townsville Crocodiles103–108Adelaide 36ersTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
17 January 2016New Zealand Breakers96–103 (2OT)Illawarra HawksVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA

Round 16

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20 January 2016Adelaide 36ers96–89Sydney KingsTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 6,980
21 January 2016Townsville Crocodiles89–66New Zealand BreakersTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
21 January 2016Perth Wildcats95–72Illawarra HawksPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 11,104
22 January 2016Adelaide 36ers90–81Melbourne UnitedTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 6,950
23 January 2016Cairns Taipans90–87New Zealand BreakersCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA

Round 17

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25 January 2016Perth Wildcats84–74Cairns TaipansPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 11,450
27 January 2016Townsville Crocodiles96–88Sydney KingsTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
28 January 2016Illawarra Hawks104–97Adelaide 36ersWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
29 January 2016New Zealand Breakers77–74Townsville CrocodilesVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: 5,562
29 January 2016Cairns Taipans81–76Sydney KingsCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
29 January 2016Perth Wildcats85–91 (OT)Melbourne UnitedPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 12,009
30 January 2016Adelaide 36ers104–90Illawarra HawksTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 7,493

Round 18

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3 February 2016Adelaide 36ers84–106New Zealand BreakersTitanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,308
4 February 2016Illawarra Hawks73–80Melbourne UnitedWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
5 February 2016Cairns Taipans95–89Adelaide 36ersCairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
5 February 2016Perth Wildcats95–81Sydney KingsPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 11,430
6 February 2016Illawarra Hawks104–97 (OT)Townsville CrocodilesWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
7 February 2016New Zealand Breakers85–74Cairns TaipansNorth Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA

Round 19

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10 February 2016Sydney Kings103–77Perth WildcatsSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
11 February 2016Townsville Crocodiles85–68Cairns TaipansTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
12 February 2016New Zealand Breakers100–63Melbourne UnitedNorth Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA
12 February 2016Illawarra Hawks106–95Adelaide 36ersWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
13 February 2016Townsville Crocodiles126–123 (OT)Sydney KingsTownsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville
Fox SportsAttendance: 2,500
14 February 2016Melbourne United68–70New Zealand BreakersHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 10,200
14 February 2016Perth Wildcats100–84Adelaide 36ersPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 12,139

Ladder

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Pos 2015–16 NBL season
Team Pld W L PCT Last 5 Streak Home Away PF PA PP
1Melbourne United128181064.29%2–3L211–37–723842342101.79%
2Perth Wildcats128181064.29%3–2W112–26–823912266105.52%
3Illawarra Hawks28171160.71%3–2W211–36–826372486106.07%
4New Zealand Breakers28161257.14%5–0W511–35–923572282103.29%
5Adelaide 36ers28141450.00%1–4L410–44–102495250099.80%
6Cairns Taipans28121642.86%2–3L211–31–132238235495.07%
7Townsville Crocodiles28111739.29%3–2W28–63–112271239095.02%
8Sydney Kings2862221.43%1–4L15–91–132416256994.04%

Updated to match(es) played on 14 February 2016. Source: NBL.com.au

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

1Melbourne United won Head-to-Head (3-1).

Ladder Progression

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  • Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top four.
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
  • Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round.
2015–16 NBL season
Team12345678910111213141516171819
Adelaide 36ers4633444455555544455
Cairns Taipans6366666666666666666
Illawarra Hawks7445555544443323333
Melbourne United3111111112232111111
New Zealand Breakers5854333333324455544
Perth Wildcats2222222221111232222
Sydney Kings1587878888888888888
Townsville Crocodiles8778787777777777777

Finals

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The 2015–16 National Basketball League Finals were played in late February and March 2016, consisting of two best-of-three semi-final and final series, where the higher seed hosts the first and third games.

Playoff Seedings

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  1. Melbourne United
  2. Perth Wildcats
  3. Illawarra Hawks
  4. New Zealand Breakers

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

Playoff bracket

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SemifinalsGrand Final
          
1Melbourne United8278X
4New Zealand Breakers9191X
2Perth Wildcats826875
4New Zealand Breakers767252
2Perth Wildcats808789
3Illawarra Hawks6810474


Semi-finals

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18 February 2016Melbourne United82–91New Zealand BreakersHisense Arena, Melbourne
Fox SportsAttendance: 5,532
19 February 2016Perth Wildcats80–68Illawarra HawksPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 8,700
20 February 2016New Zealand Breakers91–78Melbourne UnitedVector Arena, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA
21 February 2016Illawarra Hawks104–87Perth WildcatsWIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
26 February 2016Perth Wildcats89–74Illawarra HawksPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA

Grand final

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2 March 2016Perth Wildcats82–76New Zealand BreakersPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: TBA
4 March 2016New Zealand Breakers72–68Perth WildcatsNorth Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Sky SportAttendance: TBA
6 March 2016Perth Wildcats75–52New Zealand BreakersPerth Arena, Perth
Fox SportsAttendance: 13,090

Awards

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Player of the Month

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MonthPlayerTeam
OctoberChris GouldingMelbourne United
NovemberCorey WebsterNew Zealand Breakers
DecemberKevin LischIllawarra Hawks
JanuaryJerome RandleAdelaide 36ers
FebruaryCedric JacksonNew Zealand Breakers

Coach of the Month

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MonthPlayerTeam
OctoberDean DemopoulosMelbourne United
NovemberDean VickermanNew Zealand Breakers
DecemberRob BeveridgeIllawarra Hawks
JanuaryJoey WrightAdelaide 36ers
FebruaryDean VickermanNew Zealand Breakers

Pre-season

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Season

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Finals

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References

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  1. ^ "KEVIN LISCH AWARDED ULTIMATE PRIZE OF MVP". Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  2. ^ CROCS YOUNG GUN NICK KAY WINS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
  3. ^ "LISCH DETHRONES MARTIN FOR BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER". Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  4. ^ "NBA VETERAN HAKIM WARRICK WINS BEST SIXTH MAN". Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  5. ^ "STEINDL TAKES OUT MOST IMPROVED HONOUR". Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  6. ^ SHAWN DENNIS REWARDED WITH COACH OF THE YEAR
  7. ^ 2015/16 REFEREE OF THE YEAR – VAUGHAN MAYBERRY
  8. ^ "RANDLE, LISCH HEADLINE ALL-NBL TEAMS". Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.