18th July 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
With the Youth League Three Men finals fast approaching, the race for the 2026 MVP is building towards an exciting finish. We take a look at some of the standout performers whose growth, resilience and impact have helped shape another exciting season.
Youth League Three Men has once again highlighted the opportunities the Big V pathway provides, with players across the competition stepping up and producing outstanding performances for their clubs.
As the regular season draws to a close, athletes have embraced bigger roles, developed their all-round game and continued to help their teams build momentum towards finals. The result has been a highly competitive season, with the MVP race remaining wide open.
Melton's Hunter Salmons has continued to lead the way, averaging 23.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. His ability to consistently influence contests has made him one of the competition’s standout performers throughout the season.
Southern Peninsula has again been well represented through the performances of Judd Moore and Seth White. Moore continues to average an impressive double-double with 14.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, while White has provided another valuable scoring option for his side.
Craigieburn has also featured prominently, with William Stewart and Calvin Whicher both putting together outstanding campaigns. Stewart has averaged 23.3 points per game, while Whicher has combined scoring, rebounding and defensive pressure to become a key contributor.
Maccabi teammates Jared Gansky and Nathan Cohen have continued to play important roles throughout the season. Gansky remains among the competition's leading scorers with 23.4 points per game, while Cohen has consistently delivered strong all-round performances.
Surf Coast duo Jack McGough and Harry Moran have both made significant contributions, with McGough averaging 18.0 points per game and Moran continuing to dominate the boards with 13.5 rebounds per contest. Collingwood's Leeroy Cocco has continued to impress with averages of 21.0 points and 4.4 assists per game, while Bellarine’s William Smith has also emerged among the competition's standout performers, averaging 17.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
Basketball Victoria Big V League Manager Andrew West said Youth League Three Men continued to demonstrate the value of providing opportunities for athletes to develop and thrive.
"One of the strengths of Youth League Three Men is seeing players embrace the opportunity to take the next step in their basketball journey," West said.
"This season we've seen athletes continue to build confidence, expand their skill sets and make important contributions to their teams. That's exactly what these competitions are about, and it's exciting to see so many players performing at such a high level as finals approach."
With the regular season entering its final rounds, every performance presents another opportunity for players to help their teams build momentum heading into finals. With so many athletes producing strong seasons, the race for the 2026 Youth League Three Men MVP promises to go right down to the wire.
The Race to MVP series celebrates some of the standout performers across the Big V competition. With finals approaching, the race for individual honours remains wide open as players continue to help drive their teams towards postseason success.
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For Media Enquiries:
Maree DeGeorge
Basketball Victoria
Media & Communications Specialist
maree.degeorge@basketballvictoria.com.au
0499 851 266
