Ellis claims Dragons first NBL Weekly award

South Dragons star Rosell Ellis has been named the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Player of the Week for Round 15 and in doing so has become the first ever South Dragons player to win the weekly honour.

The 199cm forward led the way for the Dragons averaging 24.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 assists as his team went 2-1 for the week and moved into seventh position on the NBL ladder.

Ellis kicked off his Round 15 campaign on Boxing Day when the Dragons hosted reigning Champions Melbourne at Vodafone Arena in the local derby. The 31-year-old finished with a game high 29 points to accompany his 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal to help his team claim an impressive 107-94 win.

The star import backed up again on Saturday night to pick up a big double-double for the Dragons in their narrow 108-104 loss to the Perth Wildcats. Ellis finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Less then 24 hours later Ellis was at it again when the Dragons travelled to Wollongong for their New Years Eve clash with the Wollongong Hawks. He bagged another impressive double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds as his side took the win 105-100 at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Perth captain Paul Rogers and Melbourne star Dave Thomas where both unlucky to miss the weekly honours after finishing with solid Round 15 performances.

Rogers averaged 21.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals as the Wildcats picked up two wins and a loss for the week.

Thomas led the way for the Tigers as they went 1-2 for the week averaging 22.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks in their three games.

Other players in the running for the Player of the Week award for Round 15 included Kavossy Franklin (South Dragons), Carlos Powell (New Zealand Breakers), Glen Saville (Wollongong Hawks), Mark Worthington (Sydney Kings), Martin Cattalini (Cairns Taipans), Shawn Redhage (Perth Wildcats), Marquin Chandler (Singapore Slingers), Mike Helms (Singapore Slingers), James Harvey (West Sydney Razorbacks), Ebi Ere (Brisbane Bullets), Willie Farley (Adelaide 36ers) and John Rillie (Townsville Crocodiles).

For winning the Player of the Week award this round, Ellis will receive one of Philips’ latest products.

Player of the Week 2006/07
Round 1 – John Rillie (Townsville)
Round 2 – Martin Cattalini (Cairns)
Round 3 – Shawn Redhage (Perth)
Round 4 – Cortez Groves (Wollongong)
Round 5 – Carlos Powell (New Zealand)
Round 6 – Brad Newley (Townsville)
Round 7 – Carlos Powell (New Zealand)
Round 8 – Shawn Redhage (Perth)
Round 9 – Larry Abney (Townsville)
Round 10 – Martin Cattalini (Cairns)
Round 11 – John Rillie (Townsville)
Round 12 – Marquin Chandler (Singapore)
Round 13 – Carlos Powell (New Zealand)
Round 14 – Sam Mackinnon (Brisbane)
Round 15 – Rosell Ellis (South Dragons)

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