For the first two months of the season, the MVP conversation looked to be settling before it had fully formed. Joel Scott’s early performances stood out, quickly establishing him as the standard everyone else was measured against.
His hamstring injury in early December reopened the race. The players below have shaped the league since, each defining a clear role and building a case over time, possession by possession.
1. RaeQuan Battle (Leicester Riders) – The Electric Scorer
RaeQuan Battle warps defensive coverage in a way few players in the league can. Shots that would be poor decisions for almost anyone else remain good shots for him, forcing defences to stay engaged for entire possessions. Even brief lapses are punished, and Leicester’s offence bends around that threat.
- Shot-making that demands constant defensive attention
- Enough size and physicality to avoid being targeted defensively
- Scoring gravity that defines Leicester’s offensive shape
2. Pat Robinson (Cheshire Phoenix) – The Pressure Point
Pat Robinson is the driving force behind the league’s most effective offence. His ability to consistently beat his man and apply rim pressure forces early help, opens the floor and creates the perimeter shots Cheshire rely on. The offence works because possessions begin with his advantage.
- Relentless rim pressure that bends defensive shape
- A natural fit within Cheshire’s spacing-heavy system
- Absorbs defensive attention, creating advantages for others
3. Joe Anderson (Bristol Flyers) – The Offensive Conductor
Joe Anderson dictates how Bristol play. Their tempo, spacing, and decision-making flow through his ability to shift seamlessly between organiser and finisher. His influence extends to shaping structure, communication, and trust across the group.
- A leadership presence that has given Bristol offensive clarity
- Equally effective on the ball and working off it
- Consistently makes the right decision
4. Isiah Small (Surrey 89ers) – The Swiss Army Knife
Isiah Small rebounds like a big from the wing and scores inside without needing plays run for him, and keeps possessions alive. He does not need to dominate games to help Surrey; he quietly fills in gaps in the talent around him.
- Rebounding from the wing that adds possessions alongside Surrey’s centre play
- Interior scoring threat that fits naturally within Surrey’s flow
- A connective presence who keeps possessions alive
Joel Scott (London Lions) – The Unanswered Question
Joel Scott’s season sits apart from the rest of the race. In limited action, he established himself as the league’s most reliable source of advantage, standing out in a team built around depth. His injury paused a case that had begun to separate itself.
- London are unbeaten domestically with him
- Possessions simplified in ways no other player matched
- Stood out within a depth-driven system
What Does an MVP Season Look Like?
The MVP candidates this season offer no single definition of value. Influence has been built through sustained responsibility as much as early dominance, with different players shaping games at different points in the calendar.
Scott’s return will test whether early dominance can outweigh what others have built across the full season.
