Bryce Cotton takes out fourth Gordon Ellis Medal

Bryce Cotton has been awarded the Gordon Ellis Medal for the Perth Wildcats Most Valuable Player of the 2021/22 NBL Season.

He accepted the honour in front of 1,200 guests at the Perth Wildcats MVP Ball, held at the Crown Towers Ballroom on Saturday night.

It’s Cotton’s fourth time taking home the coveted award, joining fellow 40th Anniversary First Team legends Ricky Grace, Shawn Redhage and James Crawford as the only players to win four or more club MVPs.

Cotton had another outstanding year, averaging 22.7 points per game, above his career average of 22.3.

In his sixth NBL season, he dropped 88 three-pointers, which is the most in a regular season by a Perth Wildcat.

Cotton also had 4.9 dimes per game, which is his second most in his six years with the club, plus a career-high equalling 1.5 steals per game.

The Gordon Ellis Medal is voted on by three Perth Wildcats coaches, a former player and a member of the basketball media.

Following each game, all five vote for their top-three Wildcats of that game, with the best player receiving three votes.

The Gordon Ellis Medal wasn’t the three-time NBL MVP’s only gong on the night, with Cotton also taking out the Eric Watterson Medal for the “Players’ Player”; an award voted on by the players themselves as someone who they believe best embodies the team’s values. 

Congratulations to Bryce Cotton on achieving the rare double, as Gordon Ellis and Eric Watterson Medallist for the 2021/22 NBL Season.In other awards announced at the Perth Wildcats MVP Ball, Mitch Norton was honoured with the Andrew Vlahov Medal for Best Defensive Player.

Despite a frustrating season battling injury, the vice-captain set the tone on the defensive end while tasked with locking down start opposition guards on a regular basis.

Young gun Luke Travers was named Most Improved Player for a second consecutive season.

In his first year on the main Wildcats roster, the 20-year-old elevated his game, increasing his output from 4.9 to 7.8 points, 3.2 to 5.4 rebounds and 0.9 to 2.3 assists per game.

First-year Wildcat Jack Purchase took out the Coaches’ Award for his hard work and enthusiasm despite limited on-court opportunities.

2022 Gordon Ellis Medal Top Three

Bryce Cotton (328 votes)
Vic Law (209 votes)
Todd Blanchfield (59 votes)

Eric Watterson Medal – Players’ Player: Bryce Cotton
Andrew Vlahov Medal – Best Defensive: Mitch Norton
Most Improved Player: Luke Travers
Coaches’ Award: Jack Purchase
Members MVP: Bryce Cotton