Melbourne Tigers’ forward Mark Worthington has been named the National Basketball League’s Player of the Week for Round Five.

Worthington narrowly missed out on winning the weekly honour last round, but took out the award this week after averaging 24.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks for the week.

‘Wortho’ led the Tigers to a 1-1 week despite playing the league’s toughest road double in Adelaide and Perth. He also shot the ball at a scorching 53% from the field (including 58.5% from three-point range) and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the line for the week.

On Wednesday, the 202cm forward had a game-high 29 points and nine rebounds as the Tigers defeated the Adelaide 36ers, 81-70, at the Distinctive Homes Dome.  Worthington then backed up with 19 points and nine rebounds as the Tigers fell just short against Perth at Challenge Stadium on Sunday, 93-90.

Wollongong’s Tywain McKee was also once again a leading contender for Player of the Week in Round Five.  The 188cm Hawks point guard has been a top candidate for weekly honours every round so far this season but has yet to break through for a win, despite his team leading the ladder. 

On Saturday he led his club to a 99-77 home victory over the Townsville Crocodiles, scoring 21 points and adding three rebounds, four assists and one steal.

Also in contention for the weekly gong in Round Five were Rick Rickert (New Zealand) and Kevin Lisch (Perth).  Rickert had 16 points, 18 rebounds and five assists in his team’s 92-82 home win over Townsville on Thursday.  Lisch had 21 points and four assists, including making 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to lead the Wildcats to a win over Melbourne.

Other leading contenders for the NBL Player of the Week in Round Five included Brad Williamson (Townsville), Ayinde Ubaka (Gold Coast), CJ Bruton (New Zealand), Awvee Storey (New Zealand), Rich Melzer (Cairns), Cortez Groves (Adelaide), John Gilchrist (Adelaide), Shawn Redhage (Perth), Erron Maxey (Gold Coast) and Jacob Holmes (Adelaide).

NBL PLAYER OF THE WEEK 2009/10
Round 1 – CJ Bruton (New Zealand)
Round 2 – Rich Melzer (Cairns)
Round 3 – Corey Williams (Townsville)
Round 4 – Corey Williams (Townsville)
Round 5 – Mark Worthington (Melbourne)