New Zealand Breakers import point guard Cedric ‘Action’ Jackson has been named the National Basketball League’s Player of the Week for Round 18 of the iiNet NBL Championship after leading his team to victory in their top-of-the-table clash with the Perth Wildcats.

Jackson, who has contended for the weekly honours regularly since joining the Breakers, broke through to win his first NBL award after registering 15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and two steals in his team’s vital 83-77 victory over the Wildcats before a sold-out crowd at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland on Thursday.

Jackson had nine points in the first period alone to help set-up the win, and made two of his three attempts from long-range for the match.  The win moved the Breakers clear of the Wildcats to the top of the iiNet NBL Championship table and has the reigning NBL Champions in pole position for the minor premiership.

Jackson is the third different Breakers player to win the Player of the Week award this season, joining Gary Wilkinson (Round Five) and Thomas Abercrombie (Round 9) as recipients.

Gold Coast’s Mark Worthington was unlucky not to break through for his own first win of the weekly honours after his 25-point, five-rebound effort in his team’s 41-point demolition of Wollongong at ‘The Furnace’ (AKA the Gold Coast Convention Centre) on Saturday.

Townsville’s Luke Schenscher was also a serious candidate for the Round 18 award after averaging 19.0 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Crocs as they went 1-1 for the week. 

Cairns Taipans import Andrew ‘Radar’ Warren was also a leading contender for the award after scoring 24 points in his side’s 85-81 victory over archrivals Townsville.

Others considered for Player of the Week for Round 18 included Cameron Tragardh (Melbourne), Kevin Lisch (Perth), Chris Warren (Adelaide), Gary Wilkinson (New Zealand), Jamar Wilson (Cairns), Eddie Gill (Townsville) and Alex Loughton (Cairns).

2011/12 iiNet NBL Championship Player of the Week Winners

Round 1 – Patty Mills (Melbourne Tigers)

Round 2 – Shawn Redhage (Perth Wildcats)

Round 3 – Julian Khazzouh (Sydney Kings)

Round 4 – Daniel Johnson (Adelaide 36ers)

Round 5 – Gary Wilkinson (New Zealand Breakers)

Round 6 – Eddie Gill (Townsville Crocodiles)

Round 7 – Jamar Wilson (Cairns Taipans)

Round 8 – Adris Deleon (Gold Coast Blaze)

Round 9 – Thomas Abercrombie (New Zealand Breakers)

Round 10 – Jamar Wilson (Cairns Taipans)

Round 11 – Adam Gibson (Gold Coast Blaze)

Round 12 – Eddie Gill (Townsville Crocodiles)

Round 13 – Cameron Tragardh (Melbourne Tigers)

Round 14 – Jerai Grant (Sydney Kings)

Round 15 – Jesse Wagstaff (Perth Wildcats)

Round 16 – Adam Gibson (Gold Coast)

Round 17 – Mat Campbell (Wollongong Hawks)

Round 18 – Cedric Jackson (New Zealand Breakers)