The annual VBA Awards recognizes exceptional players during the league’s group stage.
A total of 12 categories are awarded at the event, with eight determined by an expert panel and the remaining four decided through a 50% fan vote and a 50% media advisory board vote.
The winners are announced at an annual ceremony after the conclusion of the season.
Interestingly, young talent Nguyen Anh Kiet was not included in the nomination list for Most Improved Player, despite showcasing remarkable growth throughout the season.
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| Nguyen Anh Kiet plays a pivotal role for the Danang Dragons in VBA 2023. Photo: VBA |
Last year, Kiet played for the Saigon Heat but was mostly on the bench, accumulating only 48 minutes of playing time and averaging just 1.2 points and 0.2 assists per game.
His move to the Danang Dragons for the 2023 season granted him a starting role with the team, participating in 17 out of 18 games and averaging 8.9 points and 3.1 assists per game.
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| Michael Soy tops the charts in successful three-pointers for the second consecutive year. Photo: VBA |
He increased his playing time tenfold, accumulating a total of 483 minutes and joining an exclusive list of the top three domestic players with the most playing time in 2023.
Despite his achievements, he was not nominated for the Most Improved Player category.
Meanwhile, the Heritage Player of the Year award failed to recognize star player Michael Soy (Nguyen Toan Anh) from the Cantho Catfish, despite Soy finishing the season with 55 successful three-pointers.
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| Vo Kim Ban evokes a range of emotions among fans. Photo: VBA |
In addition, Vo Kim Ban and Du Minh An were noticeably absent from the Local Player of the Year nominations.
Ban showcased his skills as one of the top guards in the tournament, leading in three-point success rate with 42.2%.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old guard An played a crucial role in helping the Saigon Heat successfully defend their championship.
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