Anstey wins NBL weekly honour

Melbourne Tigers centre Chris Anstey has collected the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Philips Player of the Week award for Round 16 after helping his side to a pair of victories which included a defeat over Sydney which ended the Kings 15-game win-streak.

Anstey, who has stints with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks on his impressive international basketball resume, dominated throughout both his side’s wins as he averaged 26.0 points, 13.0 rebounds 7.0 assists and 1.5 blocks for the week.

The Tigers started the week by disposing of the Hunter Pirates on Wednesday night with an impressive 19-point win in which Anstey collected 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Melbourne then returned home to ‘The Cage’ on Saturday night where they recorded an epic 108-99 win over the previously unstoppable Kings. The 213cm Anstey was instrumental in his side’s impressive win over Sydney, collecting a double-double for the Tigers with 29 points and 18 rebounds as Melbourne ended the Kings attempt to break the NBL record for a win streak.

In a controversial finish, Anstey made six free throws down the stretch against Sydney to seal the win. Melbourne’s two Round 16 victories moved the Tigers into outright second on the Philips Championship ladder.

Anstey narrowly edged out Perth Wildcats import Shawn Redhage and Hunter Pirates big man Geordie Cullen for the Player of the Week honours. Redhage helped his team to a strong win over the Brisbane Bullets with 31 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and one steal while Cullen averaged 24.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals as his side went 1-1 in Round 16, upsetting the Adelaide 36ers in the process.

Other players in the running for the Player of the Week award for Round 16 included Casey Calvary (Townsville), Adam Ballinger (Wollongong), Glen Saville (Wollongong), Brett Maher (Adelaide), Dusty Rychart (Adelaide), Anthony Stewart (Cairns), Martin Cattalini (Cairns), James Taylor (West Sydney), Clint Reed (West Sydney), Brian Green (New Zealand), Rich Melzer (New Zealand), CJ Bruton (Sydney), David Bailey (Perth), Stephen Black (Brisbane) and Dave Thomas (Melbourne).

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