Winning half of the first-place votes from members of the Basketball Writers’ Association, Noel Felix of the Dacin Tigers was named the SBL Player of the Month for last month and this month for his outstanding play and exceptional effort.
The US-born Belizean center out of Fresno State University who has played in Europe, the Middle East and most recently in South Korea prior to joining the Tigers, racked up 17.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.8 blocked shots, 2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in the eight games played so far, clearly establishing himself as an inside force for the Tigers. His great all-round game is the main reason that Dacin enjoy a league-leading 7-1 record heading into the three-week Lunar New Year break.
“It’s an honor to win [the Player of the Month award], but the credit should go to all of my teammates without whose help it would not be possible” a modest Felix said at a press conference in Taipei called by the league on Tuesday to present him with the well-deserved award.
He was joined by Tigers skipper Chiou Da-tsong, who presented the trophy to his hired gun.
Holding the distinction as the first player from the NBA to play in the SBL, Felix lived up to expectations, not only by leading the Tigers in most statistical categories, but more importantly, by introducing his teammates to a more aggressive style of play and a desire to attack the basket that has been missing from the Tigers’ game in the past.
His continued presence should provide the Tigers the needed elements to make a serious run for the title after falling short in the championship series in the past two seasons.
“[Felix] mixes in really well with the rest of the guys and that’s very helpful in terms of building team chemistry,” a very pleased Chiou said.
Play resumes early next month.
Most teams are practicing until tomorrow and will resume as early as Wednesday next week, as the teams prepare for the remainder of the season after the SBL holiday break.
Games are scheduled to resume at the Sinjhuang Sports Complex in New Taipei City on Feb. 3.
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