Less than 48 hours after the Sydney Kings were crowned 2025-26 champions, securing their sixth title, we look back at the top 10 performers from a series that will be remembered as one of the best in league history.
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Finals MVP Kendric Davis delivered a historic performance, while six-time MVP Bryce Cotton battled to the very end and came agonisingly close to strengthening his case as the NBL’s greatest of all time.
Here are the top 10 player ratings.
1. KENDRIC DAVIS (SYD)
The 2025-26 Finals MVP delivered one of the great championship performances in recent memory.
Take out Game Two, when he shot 24% in a loss that spilt into a heated exchange with Bryce Cotton, and Davis was close to flawless across the series. His defining moment came in Game Five, pouring in 19 points across the fourth quarter and overtime to drag his side to victory.
He finished the series as both champion and Finals MVP, polling 46 votes to Cotton’s 35. Across the five games, he averaged 27.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 10.4 assists on 43.8% shooting, while closing the series with three straight double-doubles.
Davis was the standout player from start to finish and, as he put it himself, “It’s my time now.”
Rating: 9.5/10
2. BRYCE COTTON (ADE)
Despite ending up on the losing side, it is hard to overlook what the six-time MVP produced across the series.
The Kings, taken to five games, struggled all series to contain Cotton, who still found moments of brilliance, none bigger than his legendary Game Two buzzer beater. Even by his lofty standards, his scoring was held in check at times, yet he adapted, putting together multiple games with 12 or more assists before breaking through in Game Five with a series-high 35 points.
His resolve never wavered. Across the series, Cotton averaged 21.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 9.2 assists on 37.4% shooting.
He may have fallen short of a fourth championship, but his performance demands respect. At times, he looked inches away from delivering Adelaide its first title in 24 years.
Rating: 9/10
3. XAVIER COOKS (SYD)
He is now a three-time NBL champion, playing a crucial role on both ends alongside Kendric Davis.
Cooks was a constant presence throughout the series, leading all players in blocks at 1.8 per game while recording two double-doubles. His impact on the glass stood out, pulling in 15 offensive rebounds through sheer effort and timing.
As the third-leading scorer across the series, he averaged 16.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, shooting an efficient 66% from the field.
Reliable from start to finish, his consistency and work rate set the tone. Now, he adds a third championship to an already strong resumé.
Rating: 9/10
4. TIM SOARES (SYD)
You could make a strong case that Tim Soares was the difference in the Kings’ title run.
With four seconds left in regulation of Game Five, he came up with the biggest play of his season, securing a crucial offensive rebound and finishing to force overtime. It shifted everything.
Now a two-time NBL champion in just two seasons, Soares has built his reputation on consistency and a no-fuss approach. He rarely shows frustration, yet brings clear passion when it matters, a balance that is not easy to find.
Across the series, he was the second-leading offensive rebounder behind Adelaide’s Nick Rakocevic. He averaged 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.0 block, shooting an outstanding 63.4% from the field and an eye-catching 52.9% from deep.
If the Kings are serious about going back-to-back, re-signing Soares should be high on the priority list.
Rating: 8.5/10
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5. ZYLAN CHEATHAM (ADE)
Series-leading rebounder and high-flyer Zylan Cheatham had his share of ups and downs, but still put together a strong campaign in his first NBL Championship Series.
His Game Four MVP performance was the standout, finishing with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, just shy of a triple-double, and a key reason the 36ers forced a decider. A quiet start to the series raised some questions, but Cheatham answered them in the right way.
If there is one thing he has shown, it is his selfless approach. He is willing to sacrifice his own numbers to benefit those around him. When the calls came for him to be more aggressive, he responded.
He closed the series averaging 13.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 49.1% shooting from the field.
Adelaide will be more than pleased to have him locked in for the 2026-27 season.
Rating: 8/10
6. JAYLIN GALLOWAY (SYD)
There’s Jaylin Galloway, and then there’s ‘FIBA Galloway’. The latter turned up in a big way this series, putting together one of the best stretches of his career.
At just 23, he now owns three championships, laying the foundation for what could become a remarkable career. His shooting jump was clear, finishing as one of two players with 18 made threes, but doing so at a remarkable 56.3% (18 of 32).
He played a crucial role in Game Five, knocking down timely threes that sparked the Kings’ comeback and helped drive them to the title.
Across the series, Galloway averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while shooting 55.6% from the field.
With possible NBA opportunities looming, his future looks bright. If he chooses to build a long-term path in the NBL, he has all the tools to become one of the league’s greats.
Rating: 7.5/10
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7. MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA (SYD)
He now sits in rare company, a champion in both the NBA and NBL. Matthew Dellavedova’s impact was a clear reminder that winning is not just about scoring.
His role in the series was straightforward, make life as difficult as possible for reigning MVP Bryce Cotton. At times it edged into controversy, but Dellavedova stayed committed to the task and, at 35, continues to hold off Father Time.
The numbers do not tell the full story. It is the small, unseen moments that defined his series, the pressure, the positioning, the leadership. His presence and tenacity played a major part in getting the Kings over the line.
In Game Five, he made a timely impact from deep, knocking down three triples to bring the Kings back within reach and shift the momentum.
Across the series, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists, shooting 38.5% from the field.
Rating: 7.5/10
8. TORREY CRAIG (SYD)
He arrived mid-season, but the NBA veteran made a lasting impact, now an NBL champion after a strong stint with the Sydney Kings.
Tasked with a similar defensive role to Matthew Dellavedova on Bryce Cotton, Craig picked his moments offensively. His Game Two performance stood out, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Game Four was tougher to take after a missed game-tying free throw that handed Adelaide the win. With a championship now secured, that moment fades into the background.
Despite a limited shot volume for someone so effective from mid-range, he still produced, averaging 10.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks on 45.2% shooting in just 25 minutes per game.
As far as mid-season signings go, this one will be remembered among the best, capped off with a championship.
Rating: 7/10
9. ISAAC HUMPHRIES (ADE)
Isaac Humphries was at his best when he found a rhythm, and in those stretches he looked close to unstoppable.
His minutes fluctuated across the series, ranging from 16 to a high of 27, with foul trouble only an issue in one game. Some felt he was underused, and there were moments where his presence was clearly needed, especially for his rebounding, rim protection and his pick-and-roll chemistry with Bryce Cotton.
While his averages sit at 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds, they came in just 21.3 minutes per game. On a per-minute basis, that is strong production, sitting just behind Cotton at 0.48 points per minute to 0.54.
He saved one of his best performances for Game Five, finishing with 14 points and 9 rebounds on a perfect 6 of 6 from the field. For the series, he shot an outstanding 75.9%(22 of 29).
Still searching for his first championship after seven seasons, Humphries came close. This run should serve as motivation to return next season even better.
Rating: 6.5/10
10. NICK RAKOCEVIC
Nick Rakocevic brings plenty of upside and consistently produces in limited minutes, but foul trouble remains the hurdle.
Across the five games, he racked up 23 fouls from a possible 25, which restricted his time on the floor. If he can tidy that up, he has all the tools to take another step next season after re-signing with the 36ers.
Even with those limitations, he provided a real spark off the bench. An elite offensive rebounder, he led the series in that area, while also showing the ability to stretch the floor and make big plays when it mattered.
His energy is constant, at times spilling into frustration, but it is part of what makes him effective. He plays with emotion and commitment, and that edge is something opponents have to respect.
For the series, he averaged 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists, shooting 46.3 per cent. In just under 20 minutes per game, that is strong production and a sign of what he can become.
Rating: 6/10