'It means a lot': Aussie Elijah Pepper named NZ NBL MVP after standout Saints campaign
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In their 40 seasons of the National Basketball League, the Wellington Saints have been involved in 21 Grand Finals.
They'll again look to continue the legacy and champion the proud history of the club when meeting the Southland Sharks in the 2026 Grand Final in Invercargill on Sunday.
It's a repeat of last year's victorious final for the Saints, which was staged on home court in Wellington, and, it's a bid for a record extending 14th title in the competition.
The Saints have had another season of championing young local players to help them reach another final, but it's also been another year where the Saints have brought leading basketballers from around the world to Wellington and to the club.
A major accolade for the club was handed out this week with import guard Elijah Pepper, one of Australia's leading basketballers, being named the league's Most Valuable Player. Pepper was also named as part of the league's All-Star Five.
It follows some incredible scoring from him this year in the Saints singlet, averaging nearly 29 points across his 18 games - that's the highest average scoring in the league since 2019.
Pepper caught up with Adam Cooper on his awards, as well as a look ahead to Sunday's final.
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