A few days late but it's here as always...
Halfway through the season calls for some recognition before we break down the games last week.
First, these are opinions. I know how much everyone loves the Commish's opinions I'm sure I'll hear all about it. Second, many players are deserving of many accolades, and there's a half of a season left to improve your value or let it diminish. With that being said, lets jump right into it...
MVP
1. Malikye Ridgeway - Kings (5-0)
25 P, 8 R, 5.4 A, 3.6 S
Kye has easily been one of if not the best players through the first half of the APA season. Coming into W6 with a perfect 5-0 record, he is one half of the 2 headed dragon terrorizing his side of the conference. Freaky athletic, a nose for the loose ball, and a 3 level scorer, Kye has proven why he is one of the best players in the league.
2. Aaron Jones - Mavs (4-1)
30 P, 3.2 R, 2.6 A
Aaron is currently the leagues highest scorer in both total points and PPG. The only current player to average over 30 this summer. The Mavs offense relies heavlily on AJ's ability to score and beat teams up the floor in transition. He is a key contributor in the Mavs recent blowout wins.
3. Ty Kittinger - Thunder (5-0)
24 P, 10.4 R, 2 S
TK finishes up the midseason favorites for MVP. Posting double-doubles in 4 straight games and stretching the defense out with his ability to score on all levels makes TK a serious problem for defenders. He can defend 1-5, plays unselfishly, and makes his teammates better as well. Everything you would expect from a MVP.
Rookie Of The Year
1. Sean Weisansal - Spurs (4-1)
25.2 P, 10.8 R, 2.4 A, 1.6 S, 1.6 B
The 2nd overall pick in thr 2025 Draft has not disappointed yet. One bad loss in the final moments of the Spurs/Knicks game keeps Sean just off the MVP leaderboards. A do-it-all player that excels on both ends of the floor. Nobody has been able to slow down Sean yet and I don't see anyone being able to any time soon.
2. Eddie Cosgrove - Bobcats (3-2)
26.5 P, 4.8 R, 2 A, 1 S
Eddie has come into this summer scoring from all over the floor. His ability to shoot from distance as well as put the ball on the floor and drive and finish with either hand makes Eddie one of the more difficult players to guard in the APA Summer League. His 2 loses both came in Overtime periods against the Mavs and Nuggets. Playing alongside the defending MVP makes life a little easier as well.
3. Malikye Ridgeway - Kings (5-0)
See Above
No explanation necessary. He's balling.
Defensive Player Of The Year
1. Coan Relyea - Bobcats (3-2)
11.2 DRB, 1.4 S, 1 B
A true rim protector by definition, there's not a missed shot that Coan doesn't believe he can't rebound. Coan makes anyone driving seriously reconsider their shots, he can switch onto guards due ot his ability to recover, and he see's the floor great aiding in excellent help side defense when needed.
2. Austin Peach - Thunder (5-0)
4.8 DRB, 3.6 S, 1.2 B
A lock up, in your face defender causing turnovers and fast break opportunites for his team constantly. AP does not shy away from competition and he's proven that guarding every teams best player so far this season. The league leader in steals proves that you cannot be careless with the ball when he's on the court.
3. Kaleb O'Hara - Thunder (5-0)
2.2 S, 2.2 B
Don't blink because you'll end up missing Kaleb pinning another shot off the glass. 7 blocks in a game is the season high for any player so far this season. Top 4 in steals and blocks gets Kaleb the honor here midway through the season. Aggressive by nature, constantly getting his hands into passing lanes, jumping passess, and blocking shots. Kaleb next to Peach makes it tough to choose just one.
1st Team AllPlay
Aaron Jones, Malikye Ridgeway, Sean Weisansal, Tyler Kittinger, Coan Relyea
1st Team Rookie
Eddie Cosgrove, Devon Darrell, Kalon Kimble, Roy Wallace, Jack Bernstein
Again, these are all opinion based. As someone who watches probably more AllPlay Basketball than 99% of our consumers, I believe all the names mentioned deserve the recognition I've given and I'm excited to see what the next 5 weeks bring.
Now, lets recap W5...
As always, we start the week on Thursday nights, LIVE from IFS Basketball
Game 1
Spurs 58 Bulls 46
The Bulls struggled to slow down Weisansal and co. Sean got to the free throw line with ease in this one. Newely acquired Forward Nick Reeb got his first win of the season securing a double-double in the process. The Bulls are still struggling on offense but the defense has looked significantly stronger in the last 2 outings.
Spurs
Sean Weisansal: 27P, 12R
Nick Reeb: 11P, 11R
Bulls
Juice: 10P, 6R
Daryl Hanes: 11P, 9R
The Spurs will face the Rockets (3-2) this Sunday at 4PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
The Bulls will face the Heat (3-2) this Sunday at 4PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS
Game 2
Thunder 74 Pistons 55
This one was a battle for a good majority of the contest before the Pistons ran out of gas. The Thunder got out to a double digit lead in thr 1H but the Pistons battled back and cut it to 7 early in the 2H. The absence of Pistons GM Shawn Fisher has been key into the recent struggles the Pistons have faced in their recent loses. The trio of Peach, TK, and O'Hara were the main contrubitors to the widening of the lead for the Thunder stretching the final lead to a total of 19.
Thunder
Kaleb: 22P, 2S, 2B
Peach: 13P, 12R, 10A - TD
TK: 16P, 11R
Pistons
Al Warren: 17P, 12R
Prince: 21P, 13R
The Thunder will face the Lakers (4-1) this Sunday at 8PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
Ther Pistons will face the Knicks (4-1) this Sunday at 7PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS
Game 3
Heat 66 Nets 56
The Nets once again had a really good 1H of hoops. If only 1H counted, the Nets would be one of the leagues best. Unfortunately, there's a second half to be played and that's where the Heat really did their damage. The American Psycho Ryan Merz, Eric's roommate Joe Ciocca, and BPD combined for 52 of the teams 66 points . Chris Bourne unfortunately touched Earth courtesy of a BPD hop step through the lane. We posted it, it was a tough look.
Heat
American Psycho: 20P, 8R
Joe: 16P
BPD: 16P, 6R
Nets
C Foley: 16P, 6R
Leyton Roberts: 13P, 4R
The Heat will face the Bulls (1-4) this Sunday at 4PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS
The Nets will face the Sixers (1-4) this Sunday at 5PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS
Game 4
Suns 74 Grizzlies 70
The Suns finally get over the hump getting their first win in this seasons APA Summer league. Led by J Mart, the Suns battled all game and held a small lead for what was almost the entirety of the game. A late suge by the Grizz fueled by some much needed steals courtesy of Nate Neudeck and a huge 3 from Jack Harper had the Suns on their toes. A massive Chris Griner rejection resulted in a stop on the ensuing possession for the Suns where they took care of business at the FT line ultiately securing win number 1 for GM Kyle Rubeck and the Suns.
Suns
J Mart: 28P, 11R, 5A
Matteo Duennebacke: 18P
Grizzlies
CJ Moore: 17P, 5 3s
Neudeck: 21P, 12R, 2S
The Suns will face the Kings (5-0) this Thursday at 630PM at IFS Basketball
The Grizzlies will face the Bucks (3-2) this Sunday at 7PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
Game 5
Kings 75 Celtics 68
The absence of Tino Mancabelli and Mr Beast was evident last weekend as the Celtics just didn't have enough to dethrone the unbeaten Kings. The leagues hottest duo combined for 47 points in the contest and the most underrated big in my opinion, Mike Borton, is playing exceptional basketball protecting the rim for the Kings. This one got to the teens as far as defecits go but the Celtics battled back with a couple Tony B and Jack Bernstein buckets. The closeout ability of the Kings was shown here as they didn't fold under pressure, locking in win number 5 on the season.
Kings
Mario: 26P
Malikye: 21P, 9R, 3S
Celtics
Bernie: 20P
Tony B: 19P
The Kings will face the Suns (1-4) this Thursday at 630PM at IFS Basketball
The Celtics will face the Nuggets (2-3) this Thursday at 730PM at IFS Basketball
Game 6
Mavs 80 Bucks 46
BELT
Mavs
Boog: 27P, 1 fake knee injury
ZC: 14P, 14R, 6A
Bucks
J. Bickerstaff: 28P
Nolan Edwards: 10P
The Mavs will face the Clippers (3-2) this Sunday at 6PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
The Bucks will face the Grizzlies (2-3) this Sunday at 7PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
Game 7
Knicks 76 Sixers 58
This game was interesting for many reasons. Rookie Guard Nicc Garner Johnson (NGJ) made his Knicks debut in honorable fashion. Richie Sotero nursed a made up soreness injury and the Knicks found themselves down at halftime to the Sixers. In the 2H, the turntables had turned! It was anyone offense for the Knicks as Colin Hart, Dev Redden, Kalon Kimble, and Meech Reed all took turns getting to the Baja. Brian Woods of the Sixers was traded immediately following the final whistle of the game to the Bucks for guard Gavin Borrello.
Knicks
Meech: 19P
Hart: 17P
Redden: 16P
NGJ: 8P, 13R, 5A
Sixers
Chase Kline: 18P (6 3s)
John Borton: 10P, 12R
The Knicks will face the Pistons (2-3) this Sunday at 7PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS
The Sixers wil face the Nets (0-5) this Sunday at 5PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS
Game 8
Rockets 62 Magic 59
What people are talking about this week is the shot heard around the world. Rockets Forward Damani Washington took a pass on the wing with SECONDS left up 1 point. Instead of holding the ball or getting it to a guard, he lined that MF up and let that thing fly. BANG the 3 cashes and the gym erupts! I've never seen so many hands on heads and jaws on the floor in my life. This shot proved to be the inevitible killshot the Rockets needed in a very good display of team basketball.
Rockets
Al Hiam: 28P, 5S
Dorr: 14P, 10R, 4S
Damani Washington: Walk off 3
Magic
Danny Emma: 23P
Tyree Coble: 13P, 1R!!!
The Rockets will face the Spurs (4-1) this Sunday at 4PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
The Magic will face the Raptors (0-5) this Sunday at 6PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS
Game 9
Clippers 66 Wizards 57
The Yacht Club put together another great team performance getting production across the board. Winners of 3 straight now, Kam Williams, Nate Hoellig, and T Bailey have this team dialed in. The Clippers were hitting shots, finishing in the lane, and locking up on defense against the Wizards. Tony Gualla and AJ Turner continue to try to will this Wizards team to the finish line but they just don't have enough fire power to come back in games they fall down early in.
Clippers
Kam Williams: 27P, 11R
Nate Hoellig: 15P, 10R
Wizards
Gualla: 19P
Turner: 14P, 9R
The Clippers will face the Mavs (4-1) this Sunday at 6PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
The Wizards will face the Wolves (1-4) this Thursday at 830PM at IFS Baskeball
Game 10
Bobcats 68 Wolves 62
The Bobcats took care of business last weekend without Star Rookie Eddie Cosgrove. Jarmani Cooper of the Wolves made it tough for the Cats finishing with a game high 27 points. The Cats once again were just too big and defended the paint well. Coan Relyea nearly ended Big V Monaco's playing career with a putback slam. The Wolves once again battled but just didn't have it in them to close out another close one down the stretch.
Bobcats
Coan Relyea: 14P, 15R
Ice Geis: 21P, 6R
Mike Q: 17P
Wolves
Mani Cooper: 27P
Unc: 14P, 12R, No Jersey
The Bobcats will face the Sonics (3-2) this Sunday at 5PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
The Wolves will face the Wizards (1-4) this Thursday at 830PM at IFS Basketball
Game 11
Sonics 81 Nuggets 79
In my opinion, this was the GOTW. What looked like a potential B2A situation at halftime quickly turned in favor of the Sonics, who were down by as much as 20! It's not every day when Devon Darrell scores 37 in a loss but this Sonic's team absolutely battled during the 2H. The Damani Washingon shot may be the most clutch performance of this week, but the play of the year so far came in this game. With 20 seconds left, Mitch Middlebrooks splashed a 3 off the Keylo dime. The Nuggets ran back up the floor and and found Nuggets GM Ajay Cybulski *in the corner for the game tying 3. As the ball hit the bottom of the net, Sonics Center *Roy Wallace secured the ball and threw an absolute hail mary DIME to Mitch Middlebooks for the game winning layup with under a second left. The gym was in disbelief as the Sonics secured the win.
Sonics
Kian Bennett: 24P
Middlebrooks: 24P
Roy Wallace: 7P, 18R, 7A
Nuggets
DD: 37P, 10R
Charlie No Cap: 14P, 11R
The Sonics will face the Bobcats (3-2) this Sunday at 5PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
The Nuggets will face the Celtics (2-3) this Thursday at 730PM at IFS Basketball
Game 12
Lakers 64 Raptors 55
The Raptors gave the Lakers all they could handle. A tie game at half had the gym entertained. The Lakers got out in the 2H hot giving themselves a 7 point cushion. The Raptors battled back and even took a 6 point lead halfway through the 2H. The Commish hit a huge 3 to tie the game at 46 and that was the momentum swing the Lakers needed to get back the lead and hold on late.
Lakers
Simp: 20P, 16R, 5A
Jay Brueckl: 8P, 8A, 5R
Raptors
Grabar: 22P
Mally Garner: 19P
The Lakers will face the Thunder (5-0) this Sunday at 8PM in Gym 1 at St. Francis HS
The Raptors will face the Magic (3-2) this Sunday at 6PM in Gym 2 at St. Francis HS