While most of the fallout from Monday’s NBL awards night has centred around Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton edging Sydney’s Kendric Davis for the MVP, one three-time NBA champion has now chimed in about his All-NBL omission.
Olympic gold medalist and Illawarra Hawks big man JaVale McGee took to social media on Wednesday night to question why he wasn’t part of the two All-NBL Teams, despite being shortlisted for the 2025-26 MVP award and having one of the competition’s best statistical seasons.
“No 1st team or 2nd @NBL honors… all good… asking for next time what are the parameters?” McGee said on X.
“6th (19.3) in scoring, 2nd (10) in rebounds. 1st in blocks. Average a double double In under 26mins… clearly not making playoffs doesn’t matter.”
No 1st team or 2nd @NBL honors… all good… asking for next time what are the parameters? 6th (19.3) in scoring, 2nd (10) in rebounds. 1st in blocks. Average a double double In under 26mins… clearly not making playoffs doesn’t matter…
— Javale PIERRE 3Xs McGee (@JaValeMcGee) February 25, 2026
The two All-NBL Teams this season comprised of:
All-NBL First Team
Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers) – 54 votes
Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings) – 52 votes
Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix) – 52 votes
Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats) – 51 votes
John Brown III (South East Melbourne Phoenix) – 36 votes
All-NBL Second Team
Jack McVeigh (Cairns Taipans) – 31 votes
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) – 30 votes
Xavier Cooks (Sydney Kings) – 30 votes
Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania JackJumpers) – 28 votes
Zylan Cheatham (Adelaide 36ers) – 23 votes
The NBL26 Finals tip off on Wednesday, March 4, with the Seeding Qualifier between South East Melbourne and Perth at John Cain Arena from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.
