From the outside, Australian import Nick Kay has been one of the most consistent performers in the League thoughout the 2017 NBL.
Turns out his team-mates agree, with Kay announced as the Sharks Players' Player at a team function on Sunday night.
Following the SIT Zero Fees Southland Shark's regular season finale, the team, management, board and staff capped the 2017 regular season at Level One Restaurant at the Kelvin Hotel.
It was a chance for the team to reflect on it's second-place finish, draw a line under the season to date and steel itself for the most important week of the 2017 campaign.
Coach Judd Flavell announced the award, chosen by the players themselves on a week-by-week basis throughout the season.
Kay has averaged 14.50 points, 9.39 rebounds and 3.44 assists per game this year, earning the NBL Player of the Week in Round Nine.
Also announced on Sunday night were two coach's awards.
The Young Player of Year (which sounds like any player is available for except Hayden Allen) was Reuben Te Rangi, whose hard work and dedication to the game has paid off in spades this year. The growth in Te Rangi on and off the court has been one of the features of the season with the 22-year old singled out for praise by coach Flavell.
James Hunter earned the Coach Award, for the effort, commitment and enthusiasm the first-year Shark has brought with him in 2017. If his acceptance speech doesn't inspire the Sharks to the title at the end of the week, I don't know what will.
Both Board chair Gareth Davis and General Manager Jill Bolger went out of their way to thank the players and team management for their efforts this season. Both agreed that the 2017 squad had been one of the best assembled in the Sharks short but successful history.
This Friday (and hopefully Saturday) will determine if this outstanding group can put the cherry on the top of a great season, with a third NBL title.
