1. Brian Carlwell, Cockburn Cougars (25.2 points, 15 rebounds, 2.4 blocks per game) - The MSBL hasn't seen many big men as dominant as the new Cockburn centre. Carlwell is sixth in the league in points per game, top in rebounding and fourth in blocked shots. Few teams have a defender capable on matching up on Carlwell and he's sure to cause a nightmare for plenty of opposition coaches throughout the campaign.

2. Luke Payne, Lakeside Lightning (28.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists) - Payne was dominant for Lakeside last year and his numbers are even better so far this campaign. He's 1.3 points and 0.6 rebounds ahead of his 2011 season averages and there's no doubt he'll be a leading MVP candidate if he keeps up these numbers and continues to lead the SBL in scoring.

3. Robert Kampman, Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers (28 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists) - The Tigers have been inconsistent so far but that's no fault of Kampman. The import forward is second in points per game and is putting up similar numbers across the board to those he put up in an impressive 2011 campaign.

4. Jordan Wild, Australian Belt Scrapers Wanneroo Wolves (23.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) - The new Wanneroo import has been a key part of the defending champion's impressive start to the new campaign. He's tied for 10th in scoring and fourth in rebounding. It's possible those numbers will fall a little when Greg Hire is taking away some of his shots and rebounding chances but Wild is still clearly a top player.

5. Daniel Thomas, Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers (24 points, 6.4 assists, 2.0 steals) - Thomas, in his first season back in Geraldton, has been exceptional this year. His scoring game has stepped up a notch while he's fifth in assists and also proving a defensive menace. The Buccs' early struggles have nothing to do with Thomas' performance.

6. Taylor Mullenax, Mandurah Magic (28 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist) - The Magic are enjoying their most impressive season in a long time and Mullenax has been a huge part of that. The import big man is third in points per game and doing a good job on the boards too. Finally healthy, Mullenax is showing he's one of the league's top players.

7. Michael Vigor, Perth Redbacks (24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks) - In the space of just a few months, Vigor has gone from a decent emerging talent to one of the SBL's premier big men. He's eighth in scoring and just outside the top 10 in rebounding. The centre clearly has a big future ahead of him.

8. Carlos White, Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (25.3 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists) - Many would argue the Slammers' import doesn't deserve consideration because he's playing on a struggling team, but that shouldn't take away from White's impressive achievements. White is fifth in scoring and second in rebounding, so faulting him for anything that has gone wrong for South West so far would be misguided.

9. Jackson Hussey, Australian Belt Scrapers Wanneroo Wolves (22.5 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists) - Hussey has been outstanding in his debut campaign for the Wolves. He's just outside the top 10 in scoring and also putting up good numbers across other categories. If he keeps playing like he did in his 38 point effort against the Hawks, Hussey will warrant some serious MVP consideration.

10. Joel Wagner, Perth Redbacks (13.7 points, 9 assists, 2 steals) - There's nothing new about Wagner being one of the league's best point guards but he certainly has been again this year. He's leading the league in assists and has been an integral part in Perth's early rise.

Others to consider: Adrian Majstrovich (Perth) and Jarrad Prue (Lakeside) would likely have cracked the top 10 if they hadn't missed games early in the campaign. Kalamunda's Greg Palmer, Geraldton's Aaron Ralph, East Perth's Tom Jervis and Mandurah import Taylor Land were all close to making the list.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)

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