AFTER a season that saw Levett Essex Leopards reach the NBL play-offs for a sixth straight season, Tosin Oylese has been voted club Most Valuable Player.

The 22-year-old forward joined the Big Cats in the summer of 2014 and averaged only a few minutes a game as Leopards won the Division One title.

But this season he has become a key member of the Leopards team, forcing his way into the starting line-up and regularly out-rebounding bigger opponents.

“I don’t get a vote, but I’m really pleased for Tosin” said Leopards’ general manager Dave Ryan. “Tosin’s played some fantastic defence this season and has really stepped up.

“He’s also proved an invaluable coach for our community programme and thoroughly deserves the award.”

Leopards’ longest serving player Courtney Van Beest finished second in the voting, with captain Albert Margai and forward Ladi Brown also attracting plenty of votes.

Young guard Dougie Bennett collected the club’s Most Improved Player award having joined the Big Cats a couple of weeks into the campaign.

The Scottish international joined from Newham Neptunes having suffered a serious knee injury playing against the Big Cats last season. His ability to hit key three-pointers for Steve gunjimi’s team and in the absence of Will Ashby, he started the play-off quarter-final at Reading.

Assistant coach Roger Malpass won the Clubman of the Year award having remained with the Big Cats despite last summer’s change of coach.

“Having Roger work with me brought continuity and has been a massive help in my first season as a head coach” said Ogunjimi. “I’m really pleased that’s been recognised by the fans.”