Star point guard Adam Gibson needed help carrying out all his newly acquired silverware after scooping the pool at the Gold Coast Blaze end-of-season awards on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old was the toast of the evening – named the Most Valuable Player at a function at Sea World.
But not content with just one award, the man known to all as ‘Gibbo’ also won the members’ MVP award along with the gong as best defensive player.
It was a fitting award for the man called on to play close to 40 minutes a game for the last quarter of the season after Ayinde Ubaka tore his quadriceps.
Along with skipper James Harvey, Gibson led the team brilliantly to further enhance his Boomers prospects.
“Obviously, I didn’t expect it (the MVP) because we have got a lot of great players such as ‘Chewy’ (Ubaka), James Harvey, Mika Vukona and Anthony Petrie, who all had such good years, said Gibson.
“To kind of take everything I feel bad because a lot of the other guys deserved awards, but obviously it is a very big honour.”
Gibson will be very much in demand and it is no secret that playing in Europe one day is a goal of his.
But in a boost to the Blaze, Gibson declared he would be at the club next season.
“I haven’t really thought about Europe,” he said.
“I am signed here for next season and that’s the plan.
“I definitely want to stay and come back again and I think we are going to have a good team next season.”
Forward Mika Vukona capped off a stellar season by winning the coaches’ award, while guard Tyson Demos took home the community award.
Assistant team manager Albert ‘Junior’ Viranatuleo won the Tomlinson Family Award.
Senior Gold Coast Bulletin journalist Pat McLeod walked away with the inaugural Hendo Media Award, which pays tribute to the late Greg ‘Hendo’ Henricks.
Award Winners:
Most Valuable Player – Adam Gibson
Members’ MVP – Adam Gibson
Best Defensive Player – Adam Gibson
Coaches’ Award – Mika Vukona
Community Award – Tyson Demos
Tomlinson Family Award – Albert ‘Junior’ Viranatuleo
Hendo Media Award – Pat McLeod