AUS - Harrower scoops MVP gong Down Under

MELBOURNE (WNBL) - Bendigo Spirit's Kristi Harrower has been voted Player of the Year in the WNBL.

Harrower, Australia's gold-medal winning point guard at the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women in Brazil, was among the top 10 players in six statistical categories.

She led the league with an average of five assists per game and was the league's second highest scorer at 23.8 points per contest.

Harrower ranked third in three-point shooting percentage (40%), fourth in free-throw shooting (83.4%), seventh in defensive rebounds (five per game) and 10th in field goal percentage (48%).

The 35-year-old is in Australia's preliminary squad for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women.

The MVP award is determined by votes cast by head coaches and after each regular season game.

Rachel Flanagan of Townsville has been named the Defensive Player of the Year.

Flanagan is also in Australia's 24-strong preliminary squad for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women.

Bulleen Boomers boss Tom Maher was voted Coach of the Year.

The former Australia national team boss the Boomers to their first-ever minor premiership with a 21-1 record.

His team finished runners-up finish in the WNBL play-offs to the Canberra Capitals.

It is the third time Maher has been named Coach of the Year in the league.

Tayla Roberts, an Australian Institute of Sport player that could represent her country at senior level in the years ahead, has been named Rookie of the Year.

FIBA