Anstey wins Tigers’ first NBL Weekly honour

Melbourne Tigers star Chris Anstey has been named the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Player of the Week for Round 18, becoming the first Tigers player to win the weekly award this season.

Anstey, who is the NBL’s reigning Most Valuable Player, had a stellar week, averaging 24.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks as the Tigers went a perfect 2-0 for the round.

The 213cm centre led the way for Melbourne on Wednesday night as his team claimed a seven-point road win over the Singapore Slingers. Anstey was instrumental as his team claimed a 96-89 win over the Slingers, the big-man top-scoring in the game with 27 points to accompany his 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The former NBA player was impressive yet again when the Tigers downed the New Zealand Breakers 106-101 on Saturday night at ‘The Cage’. Anstey claimed his second double-double for the week with 22 points and 12 rebounds to go with his two blocks, one assist and one steal.

Brisbane Bullets forward Sam Mackinnon was another strong contender for the weekly award after averaging 25.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals as the Bullets extended their winning run to 12 straight with a perfect 2-0 round.

South Dragons player-coach Shane Heal was also in the mix for weekly honours after he finished with 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds in his side’s 90-84 win over West Sydney.

Other players in the running for the Player of the Week award for Round 18 included Cortez Groves (Wollongong Hawks), Marquin Chandler (Singapore Slingers), Ben Pepper (New Zealand Breakers), Carlos Powell (New Zealand Breakers), Shawn Redhage (Perth Wildcats), Graeme Dann (West Sydney Razorbacks), Ebi Ere (Brisbane Bullets), Darren Ng (Adelaide 36ers), Larry Abney (Townsville Crocodiles), Mark Worthington (Sydney Kings), Jerome Beasley (Sydney Kings), James Harvey (West Sydney Razorbacks) and John Rillie (Townsville Crocodiles).

For winning the Player of the Week award this round, Anstey 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)
Round 16 – Ed Scott (Sydney Kings)
Round 17 – Adam Ballinger (Wollongong)
Round 18 – Chris Anstey (Melbourne Tigers)

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