Super League Basketball is delighted to announce the winner of the Molten Defensive Player of the Year, following a voting process involving the League’s Head Coaches, Captains and select members of the media.
Becoming the second Leicester Rider to secure an individual honour this awards season after Ethan Wright secured Sixth Player of the Year, Charles Thompson took the top defensive honours after a stellar rookie season for Rob Paternostro’s side.
The 6’7″ paint presence leads the SLB Championship in blocks per game (2.5) and has been dominant for Leicester in a season where their relatively inexperienced roster has competed at the top end of the table throughout.
The Towson alum played and started in all 32 Championship games for Leicester and alongside fellow rookie Jaylin Hunter led the team in plus-minus as the duo formed a formidable partnership on both ends of the floor for Riders.
Reflecting on his win, Thompson said:
“It’s an honour to be named Molten Defensive Player of the Year. I’ve always made defence my calling card and it’s something I take pride in.
“In basketball, people can get caught up in the stats and the flashier parts of the game. I’m quick to remind people that there are two sides of the ball and they are equally important. I’m grateful to be recognised by my peers and am thankful that my hard work has paid off.”
Riders Head Coach Rob Paternostro added:
“Charles had a spectacular rookie season. His defence from day one made an incredible impact on any game we played, and his improvement as an overall player was exciting to watch.
“His personality and energy is as valuable as any statistic he could possibly put up.”
You can find a full voting record for the Molten Defensive Player of the Year Award below:
| Voter | Position | Club | First Choice | Second Choice | Third Choice |
| Raphell Thomas-Edwards | Captain | Bristol Flyers | Charles Thompson | Jaiden Delaire | Rickey McGill |
| Andreas Kapoulas | Coach | Bristol Flyers | Charles Thompson | Josh Ward-Hibbert | Jaiden Delaire |
| Fraser Malcolm | Captain | Caledonia Gladiators | Makai Ashton-Langford | Charles Thompson | Alen Hadzibegovic |
| Jonny Bunyan | Coach | Caledonia Gladiators | Alen Hadzibegovic | Charles Thompson | Josh Ward-Hibbert |
| Skyler White | Captain | Cheshire Phoenix | Charles Thompson | Alen Hadzibegovic | Makai Ashton-Langford |
| Ben Thomas | Coach | Cheshire Phoenix | Charles Thompson | Dame Adelekun | Ade Adebayo |
| Conner Washington | Captain | Leicester Riders | Corey Samuels | Larry Austin Jr | Keddy Johnson |
| Rob Paternostro | Coach | Leicester Riders | Josh Ward-Hibbert | Alen Hadzibegovic | Makai Ashton-Langford |
| Ovie Soko | Captain | London Lions | Charles Thompson | Larry Austin Jr | Jamell Anderson |
| Petar Bozic | Coach | London Lions | Charles Thompson | Dame Adelekun | Larry Austin Jr. |
| Donovan Mitchell | Captain | Manchester Basketball | Charles Thompson | Aaryn Rai | Keddy Johnson |
| Herman Mandole | Coach | Manchester Basketball | Alen Hadzibegovic | Charles Thompson | Larry Austin Jr. |
| Darius Defoe | Captain | Newcastle Eagles | Drake Jeffries | Charles Thompson | Aaryn Rai |
| Marc Steutel | Coach | Newcastle Eagles | Charles Thompson | Alen Hadzibegovic | Dame Adelekun |
| Rodney Glasgow Jr | Captain | Sheffield Sharks | Charles Thompson | Josh Ward-Hibbert | Ade Adebayo |
| Atiba Lyons | Coach | Sheffield Sharks | Charles Thompson | Alen Hadzibegovic | Makai Ashton-Langford |
| Tayo Ogedengbe | Captain | Surrey 89ers | Donovan Clay | Aaryn Rai | Josh Ward-Hibbert |
| Lloyd Gardner | Coach | Surrey 89ers | Charles Thompson | Tyler Peterson | Larry Austin Jr. |
| Anthony Rowe | Media | Not applicable | Charles Thompson | Ade Adebayo | Dame Adelekun |
| Dan Routledge | Media | Not applicable | Charles Thompson | Alen Hadzibegovic | Dame Adelekun |
| Drew Lasker | Media | Not applicable | Charles Thompson | Josh Ward-Hibbert | Ade Adebayo |
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