Groves takes NBL weekly honour

After narrowly missing out in Round Three, Wollongong Hawks import Cortez Groves has earned the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Philips Player of the Week award for Round Four.

Groves barely lost out to Perth Wildcats import Shawn Redhage for the award last week but has well and truly made up for it by leading his team to a perfect 2-0 record in a pair of challenging road games in Round Four that included the Hawks first visit to Singapore.

For the week, Groves averaged 25.0 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals in the sort of all round performance that the athletic guard has become renowned for. He went 15-of-30 from the field (50%) including 7-of-16 from the three-point line (44%) while also making 13-of-17 free-throws for the week (76%).

After a quiet first three-quarters against Singapore on Thursday, Groves went off for a 16-point explosion in the final period to put away the pesky Slingers, 105-87. He finished with 20 points, while also adding five assists, four steals and three rebounds in a stellar performance.

On Saturday against the Dragons, the 196cm slasher once again showcased his ability to score in bunches. His 15-point second quarter helped the Hawks take a lead they would maintain the rest of the match on the way to a 102-93 victory. Groves finished with a game-high 30 points, as well as five assists, five rebounds, one block, and one lightning-fast steal from Shane Heal at midcourt that left Vodafone Arena buzzing.

Groves was pleased with his performance, but said the wins were a true team effort.

"It's great to be appreciated, the team worked really hard to get those wins on the road,” he said.

“Individually it’s great to be recognised, but the whole team contributed this week to make those wins happen."

"As a team were happy to pick up the two road wins. It was tough doing Singapore then backing up two night later in Melbourne, then picking up the win last night here in Wollongong (against New Zealand). We definitely feel good about the past week."

On the heels of their two big Round Four wins, the Hawks have vaulted themselves right back into the thick of the finals race with Groves playing a starring role in the Hawks current three-game win streak.

Although Groves took out the award, Cairns Taipans star Martin Cattalini nearly took home his second Player of the Week award. Cattalini, who was the Player of the Week in Round Two, hit yet another game winning shot in the Taipans thrilling 91-90 win over the Sydney Kings. ‘Cat’ finished the match with 38 points, two steals, and two rebounds and can consider himself unlucky to be edged out by Groves.

Also unlucky were two of Groves’ own teammates in Glen Saville and Adam Ballinger, who also had outstanding weeks. Saville averaged 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the week while Ballinger averaged 21.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Other players in the running for the Player of the Week award for Round Four included Willie Farley (Adelaide), David Barlow (Sydney), Rashad Tucker (Melbourne), Carlos Powell (New Zealand), Tony Ronaldson (Perth), Shawn Redhage (Perth), Chris Anstey (Melbourne), Brad Newley (Townsville), Liam Rush (West Sydney), Nick Horvath (Adelaide), James Harvey (West Sydney), Ebi Ere (Brisbane), Todd Fuller South) and Marquin Chandler (Singapore).

For winning the Player of the Week award this round, Groves will receive Philips’ latest Dual DECT/Internet Skype phone - Simplicity is making discounted and free phone calls to your friends and family all around the world.