Cotton, Henshall named among finalists for NBL awards

The NBL Awards will be held on Monday night and Cotton is the hot favourite to win the League's most prestigious individual honour once again.

Cotton is one of three finalists for the MVP award alongside Adelaide 36ers star Kendric Davis and SEM Phoenix big man Matt Hurt.

The long-time Wildcats import has had another sensational season, averaging a career-high 28.6 points per game, which includes six 40-plus point games and a record-breaking 59 against New Zealand in December.

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Cotton, who's aiming for back-to-back MVP honours, is the first player to have six 40-point games in a season since the legendary Andrew Gaze in 1993.

Henshall is in line to win two awards after an impressive second season in the NBL where he took his game to another level and made the most of his increased opportunities.

The 20-year-old has averaged 23.5 minutes per game in NBL25, up from 6.1 last season, becoming a regular starter for the Wildcats.

He's also increased his points per game from 3.1 to 9.8, assists per game (0.8 to 2.6) and rebounds (1.3 to 3.1), earning top-three honours for the League's Most Improved Player and Next Generation awards.

The Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night will be broadcast on Kayo and the NBL website from 4.30pm WST on Monday.

Andrew Gaze Trophy for Most Valuable Player

Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)

Kendric Davis (Adelaide 36ers)

Matt Hurt (South East Melbourne Phoenix)

Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year

Dean Vickerman (Melbourne United)

Justin Tatum (Illawarra Hawks)

Josh King (South East Melbourne Phoenix)

Most Improved Player

Ben Henshall (Perth Wildcats)

Owen Foxwell (SE Melbourne Phoenix)

Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets)

Best Sixth Man

Ian Clark (Melbourne United)

Kouat Noi (Sydney Kings)

Will Hickey (Illawarra Hawks)

Damian Martin Trophy for the Best Defensive Player

Shea Ili (Melbourne United)

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (Illawarra Hawks)

Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers)

Next Generation Award

Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings)

Ben Henshall (Perth Wildcats)

Taran Armstrong (Cairns Taipans)