Talbot awarded WNBL MVP in 2020

December 15, 2020 | Adelaide Lightning news

Our Captain Steph Talbot has won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the WNBL 2020 season. Along with a plethora or other awards, Steph was celebrated at yesterday morning’s End of Season Awards along . Read more here about Talbot’s incredible achievements, how she won it, the road to the MVP including the “Talbot Third” and her thoughts about the win via the awards…

Adelaide Lightning Captain Steph Talbot was the standout for the club at the end of season awards yesterday at The Ville Resort in Townsville. Talbot the 26-year-old WNBA/International star forward who originally is from Katherine in the Northern Territory won the prestigious Suzy Batkovic Medal for the league’s most valuable player, but that wasn’t it for her on the awards front. She also took out the Robyn Maher Defensive player of the year title and was named in the All-WNBL First Team for the 2020 season.

Talbot as you may know impacted South Australia early in her career winning the WNBL rookie of the year in 2013 and is one of our most recently capped players having played in the WNBA for three consecutive seasons with the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx. She began her national career with the Adelaide Lightning in 2011 and becomes the first club MVP since two time winner Rachel Sporn and the woman the medal is named after two time winner Batkovic, and is our fifth winner of the award for the Lightning. She is also the second person to win the Defensive Player of the Year award for the Lightning along with Lauren Nicholson (12) in 2019 . Talbot polled 73 votes to win the MVP over Liz Cambage (67) and Nicholson again (65).

Talbot, as reported on the WNBL yesterday, was overawed by receiving the award from Batkovic herself.

“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.

“To have Suzy, someone I admire so much present this Medal to me in person was something I’ll treasure.”

“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.

“Lastly, to my family, friends and those who have been part of my career over the years, this MVP Award is for you,” expressed Talbot.

Here are the key moments we think where the award votes went her way this season…

Steph Talbot’s MVP Moments

  • In the first game of the season versus the Canberra Capitals, Talbot tallied up 31 points (55 percent), 13 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 blocks to lead her team. In the same match she took over overtime with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and a block
  • She continued a stellar start to the season against the Perth Lynx with 24 points, 11 rebounds and a +/- of 13 closing the game out from the free throw line with three of four in the last minute of the match
  • A double double against the Bendigo Spirit of 22 points at 66 percent, 7-8 FT, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and a +/- of 18, including nine momentum changing points in the third quarter to give her 16 in the second half
  • A titanic 30 point and 12 rebound haul from her extinguished the Flames in Round 3
  • She had a big game against one of the tough defensive units of the season the Capitals in Round 4 with 21 points at 50 percent and 8 rebounds
  • She was outstanding all night against the Perth Lynx in Round 4 with a double double of her own with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists including 12 points in the third quarter
  • She had a strong contribution against the Melbourne Boomers in Round 5 with 11 points and 6 rebounds with 8 of those coming in the second quarter.
  • Another haul of 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals came against the Spirit in Round 5 including 9 points in the third quarter
  • She finished her season with a big double double of 22 points at 56 percent and 13 rebounds against the Flames
  • In all the Australian Opal squad member averaged 18.2 points per game plus 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.9 steals and on eleven occasions scored double figures and produced four double doubles.

So, considering the 2020 MVP’s season, the third quarter for Lightning should definitely be dubbed by the fans the “Talbot Third” affectionately…

STEPH TALBOT WNBL WRAP 2020

MVP WNBL 2020

DPOY WNBL 2020

WNBL-ALL STAR FIRST FIVE

Games: 13

Points: 237 – 3rd in the WNBL 2020

Field Goal Percentage: 91/190 at 47.9

3PT Percentage: 13/45 at 28.9

Free-Throws: 42/60 at 70

Rebounds: 117 (19 offensive, 98 defensive) – 3rd in WNBL 2020

Assists: 39

Steals: 25 – 3rd in WNBL 2020

Blocks: 10