NLB MVP OF JANUARY: Shannon Shorter - “Our goal is to reach the Playoffs”

Shannon Shorter has proven, throughout the month of January, his dominance on the AdmiralBet ABA League courts wherever he has appeared and besides the fact that he finished the month at the very top of the statistical category of valuation, he deserved himself the award with his contribution to the team's success – Split have won 3 of their 4 games played in the month of January.

The star player in the ranks of the Gripe squad averaged 21.5 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and a valuation of 27.8 during the games of Split in January.

Shannon shorter believes that a connection with the teammates, fans and the city is the one that helps him maintain the high level of his performances: “I am grateful for the opportunity to play basketball at this level in year 12 of my professional career. I am thankful for the award, which I could not achieve without my teammates, coaching staff and training staff. This is the third year for me with the club in Split. It’s a camaraderie with my teammates and myself. I believe that the fans and the city appreciate when you compete, no matter the circumstances around you and that’s my mental make-up. For sure I have to thank God. I trust my routine and my work. Lots of things go on behind the scenes that the average fan or individual wouldn’t see. My coaches and teammates see the work every day.”

Split squad have also performed some excellent games recently and their philosophy, as Shorter describes is, is to compete. “I believe that it all starts with practice. Our practices are extremely competitive. Coach Rimac has to cut it short sometimes (laughs). I believe that the way we practice is the way we compete in each game. Our philosophy is to take each game as it comes, to compete and see what happens,” he said.

Definitely, the main goal of the Dalmatian squad, as Shannon Shorter puts it, is to reach the AdmiralBet ABA League Playoffs this season: “When I decided to re-sign I saw the challenge that was awaiting myself and Sulli (teammate Lewis Sullivan). I believe we had one win, so it was an uphill climb. One of my favourite quotes is “Adversity introduces a man to himself.” We ebraced it and took it one game at a time. Still challenging days ahead, but I believe we can go as far as we desire. It’s all about our mental focus and not getting a sense of arrogance because we won a few games. When I arrived, I told the team that my goal was the AdmiralBet ABA League Playoffs and to win the domestic championship. Even when it didn’t look positive, I still reinforced that in my guys and now we’re on the cusp, but still have work to do. I wish to thank you again for the recognition not just to myself, but also to my team KK Split.”

Check out some of the best moments from the month of January: