Abney collects NBL Weekly Award

Townsville import Larry Abney has broken through after numerous near misses to take the honours in the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Philips Player of the Week award for Round 12.

Abney was impressive throughout Round 12 of the Philips Championships, averaging 18.0 points, 16.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in the Crocodiles three matches, including a staggering 36-point, 21-rebound effort against Wollongong on Sunday.

Abney and his Crocs turned out for three gruelling games in five days, all on the road, in Round 12. The Crocs narrowly went down in all three matches but it was through no lack of effort on Abney’s part and the Crocs gave solid showings against leaders the Sydney Kings and the second-placed Adelaide 36ers going down by four and seven respectively.

The American started the week with a near double-double of nine points, 11 rebounds as well as two blocks and one assist in the Crocs 102-95 loss to the 36ers on Wednesday.

The first-year import then had 10 points, 16 rebounds, one block and one assist as the Crocs went down 94-90 to the reigning champion Kings on Thursday.

Abney led the Townsville charge on Sunday as the Crocs took on the Wollongong Hawks, scoring a game-high 36 points, an astonishing 21 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Despite his side’s narrow 105-99 loss to the Hawks, Abney was generally adjudged the most valuable on court for both sides.

Abney narrowly edged out Adelaide’s Jacob Holmes for Player of the Week honours. Holmes averaged 18.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and five assists as the 36ers recorded two hard-fought Round 12 victories.

Abney has been one of the Crocs most reliable players this season and has regularly been in the mix for the Player of the Week honours but hadn’t been able to break through for the honours.

Other players in the running for the Player of the Week award for Round 12 included Mike Helms (Hunter), Russell Hinder (Hunter), Cortez Groves (Wollongong), Brett Maher (Adelaide), John Rillie (Townsville), Martin Cattalini (Cairns), Scott McGregor (West Sydney), Pero Vasiljevic (West Sydney), Aaron Olson (New Zealand), Luke Kendall (Sydney), Shawn Redhage (Perth), David Bailey (Perth), Michael Hill (Brisbane) and Chris Anstey (Melbourne).

For winning the Player of the Week award this round, Abney will receive a Philips Shoqbox, the new tiny personal sound system designed for people that love to share their music experience with others.