United trio revealed as NBL Awards finalists

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Shea Ili, and Dean Vickerman have all been revealed as finalists for a quintet of NBL awards.

JLA headlines the ballot, with the big-man being named as one of three finalists for The Andrew Gaze MVP Award, alongside Perth’s Bryce Cotton and Sydney’s Jaylen Adams.

Lual-Acuil Jr has had a breakout campaign following his Sixth Man of The Year Award victory last season, ranking first in the league in total blocks and rebounds, as well as sixth in league scoring.

He also became one of only three players to have recorded a 20-20 game in the 40-minute era, scoring 26 points and pulling down 21 rebounds against Tasmania.

JLA has also been revealed as a finalist for the Most Improved Player Award alongside Yanni Wetzell and Keanu Pinder.

Kiwi point guard Shea Ili has also been nominated for a pair of awards after his terrific season.

The six-foot dynamo has been revealed as a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year Award, as well as the Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player.

Ili, a previous winner of the Most Improved Player Award, has played a pivotal role for United this season, providing an unbelievable spark off the bench with his defence, leadership and tenacity.

The 29-year-old was also recently selected by his peers as the league’s best sixth man, best defender and most underrated player.

Finally, Head Coach Dean Vickerman has been revealed as a finalist for his third Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year Award.

Leading United with his brand of lock-down defence, Vickerman has coached a historic season, posting the best defensive rating in nine seasons, and limiting opponents to the fifth lowest shooting percentage of all-time.

Vickerman previously won the award in back-to-back seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19, becoming only the third coach to do so.

The winner of The Andrew Gaze MVP Award, along with all other awards for the 2021/22 season, will be announced next Wednesday April 27, live on ESPN.