Adelaide Lightning captain Steph Talbot has been named the WNBL’s most valuable player for the 2020 season. She polled 73 votes to win the award over Southside Flyers’ star Liz Cambage, who received 67 votes.
Although her team hasn’t made the WNBL finals, Talbot produced some impressive on court moments this season, averaging 18.2 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. In eleven games, Talbot scored in double figures and produced four double doubles, and scored 31 points in her highest-scoring game of the season.
To her credit, she has also been named the Defensive Player of the Year and was named in the All-WNBL First Team, alongside other standout players Liz Cambage, Cayla George, Katie Ebzery and Lauren Nicholson.
At the conclusion of the regular season, Talbot’s Adelaide Lightning placed sixth out of eight teams.
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“I’m shocked but absolutely honoured to be named league MVP. Both Liz [Cambage] and Lauren [Nicholson] had great seasons, with many people deserving of this accolade,” Talbot said after receiving the Most Valuable Player award.
“On personal note, I’m delighted to have won this award but it would not have been possible without a great group of teammates and supportive coaches in Chris and Nat.
“As a league we had many challenges to overcome this season, and as a team we probably had more than most. But as captain of the Lightning, I couldn’t be prouder of how we conducted ourselves this season and we have plenty of positives to take into next year.”
Congratulations to @AdelLightning captain Steph Talbot, winner of the 2020 Suzy Batkovic Medal for the league’s Most Valuable Player.#WeAreWNBL #WNBL20 pic.twitter.com/5n26a5RUpj
— WNBL (@WNBL) December 14, 2020
Four-time Most Valuable Player award winner and Head of Women in Basketball Lauren Jackson AO said Talbot is a very deserving recipient of the honour.
“Steph had an outstanding season both individually and as the new captain of the Adelaide Lightning,” Jackson said.
“The quality of basketball played across the entire league this season was of the highest standard and Steph was exceptional at both ends of the court, playing big minutes for her team and always led from the front.
“For Steph to have been voted by the head coaches and lead referees as the league’s Most Valuable Player for 2020 is a reflection of her character, consistency, leadership and individual brilliance across the regular season.”
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