(news article from OneNews NZ)
Chappell Scoops Awards
Mar 4, 2004
Star import Mike Chappell scooped the pool at the inaugural Season Awards evening for the NZ Breakers on Wednesday night.
Chappell was named as the club's MVP for the 2003/2004 Australian National Basketball League season.
The popular swingman was also selected by his Breakers' team-mates as the winner of the Players' Choice title at the awards function at the Spencer on Byron in Takapuna.
Chappell led the Breakers in scoring in their debut ANBL season with 22.7 points per game. That placed him second behind Sydney Kings star Matt Nielsen in the NBL scoring charts for the regular season. Chappell also led the Breakers in three-point shooting at an outstanding success rate of 42.4 percent.
He ranked fifth in rebounding for the Breakers with 5.2 boards per game and made 76 percent from the charity stripe. A 46 percent field goal shooter, he was a deadly threat from long range or driving to the hoop throughout his 21 games for the club and should cap his season with selection in the Eastern All Stars squad for the ANBL All Star game in Melbourne on April 8.
Chappell said he was honoured to have received the respect of his team-mates in winning the Players' Choice award and was already looking forward to next season with the Breakers.
Chappell joined the Breakers at the end of November as the club sought to add impetus to their offensive output in their debut NBL season.
The former Michigan St college player answered the call superbly and quickly became a favourite of the Breakers fans and feared throughout the league.
He was voted the league's Player of the Week for his Round 18 demolition of the Perth Wildcats when he scored a season-high 44 points in a 104-97 win in Christchurch before following that up with 20 points in a 98-89 victory over the same foes just two days later.
Capable of torching any side with his accurate outside shooting, Chappell is also dynamic driving to the basket and an explosive finisher above the rim.
