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Gordon, Bisungu, Otor and Ademola win Defensive awards

The Defensive Player of the Year winners have now been announced for 2019/20, with four worthy winners from across the ABL.

New City College managed to top the Eastern Conference despite the presence of defending ABL champions Haringey. The defence of Moses Gordon was a big part of that as NCC went 15-1, allowing 54.75 points per game.

Gordon grabbed 4.1 steals a game in his 15 contests this year, good for 9th best in the league. He was also effective around the basket, defending the rim with an ABL 3rd best 2.5 blocks a game.

“I am really excited about winning this award as I take a lot of pride on the defensive end,” said Gordon.

“This is the first time I have won anything and doing this surrounded by hardworking teammates and great coaching staff I just want to say it is an honour, thank you. This is just the start.”

Another Southern Conference award again goes to HTS Storm this week, with Josh Otor getting recognition from his opponents for a stellar campaign.

The 6’0” guard was a menace on the perimeter, with a team best 2.5 steals a game and after featuring in every season of the ABL since it’s launch in 2015, Otor is a player that has made the most of his talents.

“I’m blessed and honoured to receive this award, thankful for my teammates and coaches who helped me achieve this,” said Otor.

Nottingham’s Jackson Bisungu is our Northern Conference recipient, helping the Wildcats to a 12-4 record and #10th seed for the post season

With a great mix of size and speed, the 6’4″ guard featured in all 16 of Nottingham’s game this season and provided a consistent force to anchor the Wildcats’ defence. 2.9 steals a game were a testament to that influence, pulling down 5.7 rebounds a game for good measure.

Finally, St Charles topped the Western Conference standings and have so far featured prominently in our ABL awards. It’s no surprise that after head coach Patrick Avorkliyahtook home Coach of the Year yesterday that one of his players, Michael Ademola has been selected as the Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.

The talented guard appeared in 14 of St Charles’ games this season, providing a consistent defensive presence that the team used to secure a 15-1 record and the #3 seed for the post season.

“It’s amazing to receive such an reward,” said an excited Ademola, who enjoyed a team high 3.1 steals per game this year.

“I believe that this award goes to the whole team as there are five of us on that court, not one, and without them this would not be possible.

“To me defence is an obsession and something that I love to do. Its defence which wins games and it’s that energy you bring to the court which decides who wins and who losses and for me I play to dominate the game and the best way I can do this is on defence.”

The ABL awards continue tomorrow morning with the announcement of Conference All-First and All-Second teams at 10:00am.

The ABL finals take place next Wednesday at the University of Essex, as Gordon’s New City College side try to deny Haringey another ABL title. Entry is free for all spectators, with the EABL and WEABL finals also taking place on the same day.