The Malta Basketball Association, in collaboration with Bank of Valletta, honoured the achievements of Malta’s top players during the BOV Basketball Players of the Year Awards 2025.
This annual event celebrates players who have demonstrated exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and commitment throughout the season, across all categories.
The awards ceremony was held in the presence of Stefan Abela, Manager CSR at Bank of Valletta, and Paul Sultana, president of the Malta Basketball Association, who presented the accolades to this year’s top performers.
The top two awards, the BOV Senior Men and BOV Senior Women Basketball Player of the Year went to Luxol’s Nathan Xuereb and Hibernians’ Steffi De Martino.
Xuereb played a pivotal role in leading Luxol Basketball Club to both the BOV National League and John Tabone Shield Finals.
Xuereb finished the season as the second-highest Maltese scorer, averaging 14.74 points per game and 2.68 three-pointers per game. He also represented Malta in 3×3 basketball, competing at the GSSE in Andorra and the European 3×3 Championships in Kosovo, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
De Martino reaffirmed her status as one of Malta’s leading basketball figures, guiding Hibernians to victory in the John Tabone Shield.
She topped the league scoring charts with an impressive 15.86 points per game and averaged 1.95 three-pointers per game.
Internationally, De Martino was part of Malta’s historic 3×3 women’s team, which secured a silver medal at the GSSE in Andorra – Malta’s first-ever medal in this discipline.
Abela emphasised BOV’s long-standing support for local sports and its role in shaping future talent.
“Basketball is more than a game – it’s a platform for discipline, teamwork, and resilience,” he said.
“At Bank of Valletta, we are proud to stand behind initiatives that empower athletes to reach their full potential and inspire the next generation. These awards celebrate not just individual excellence, but the collective spirit that drives Maltese basketball forward.”
On his part, Paul Sultana, the MBA president said: “This last season has been a testament to the incredible growth of basketball in Malta.”
“Our players have shown remarkable dedication both locally and internationally, raising the profile of the sport and setting new benchmarks. We are grateful for Bank of Valletta’s unwavering support, which continues to strengthen our vision for a vibrant basketball community.”
THE WINNERS
Men’s Player of the Year: Nathan Xuereb (Luxol).
Women’s Player of the Year: Steffi De Martino (Hibernians)
BOV Amateur League Men: Stefan Simic (Hibernians)
U-23 Men: Neil Cassar (Hibs)
U-23 Women: Anna Fenech Pace (Luxol)
U-19 Men: Gregory Mizzi (Luxol)
U-19 Women: Sarah Fenech Pace (Luxol)
U-16 Boys: Zac Said Hollier (Starlites)
U-16 Girls: Claire Portelli (Depiro)
U-14 Boys: Thomas Cauchi Carter (Athleta)
U-14 Girls: Martina Mendez (Hibernians)
Tony Camilleri Fair Play Award: Niksa Zivkovic