Ennis denies throwing trophy in Yarra

James Ennis in action for the Wildcats. Source: Brett Hemmings / Getty Images

PERTH's NBA-bound superstar James Ennis has denied throwing his NBL All Star Five trophy off a Melbourne pier on Wednesday night in a fit when Rotnei Clarke was named MVP.

Speaking after landing back in Perth this afternoon, Ennis did admit to throwing something off the Docklands pier, but not the trophy.

"My trophy's in my bag. I threw a water bottle into the water," he said.

"I have the trophy in my bag and I'm going to give it to my mum when I get home."

However, when asked to produce the trophy Ennis declined.

The American said he was happy for Clarke.

"Clarke deserved it," he said.

"I'm a little disappointed, but it's all good. I'm here to win a championship.

"I think (Grand Final) MVP is more important than MVP of the regular season, and I'm just thankful I get to play in a Grand Final."

One NBL club chairman and another guest of the league at the awards presentation dinner witnessed the alleged incident which quickly became the talk of the function room.

Wildcats chief executive officer Nick Marvin said he could not address the allegations because he had not yet had the chance to speak with Ennis.

"Yes, I heard the story but at this point it's hearsay until I can get back to Perth and speak with James," Marvin said.

Ennis arrives at the NBL MVP Awards Night at Sketch at Docklands. Source: Getty Images

Marvin remained in Melbourne for today's announcement of the NBL's Summer League launch in Las Vegas from July13-16 in conjunction with the NBA.

Ennis has had a huge impact on the NBL since being released by the NBA champion Miami Heat to develop his game overseas.

He won the Ray Borner Medal at the Pre-Season Blitz as Perth won the inaugural Loggins-Bruton Cup and has helped steer the Wildcats into the grand final series against Adelaide with a stellar regular season.

Interviewed last night he said he wanted to show his talents in Australia and looked pleased when named in the All Star Five alongside Wollongong's Clarke, Chris Goulding (Melbourne), Daniel Johnson (Adelaide) and AJ Ogilvy (Sydney).

He led the early going at the MVP count but the unassuming Clarke motored to victory, pipping Goulding and knocking Ennis to third.

Tigers dual-Olympian Mark Worthington said Ennis' actions showed disrespect for the NBL, Clarke and Goulding.

"I only heard about it at the dinner and it's extremely disrespectful," Worthington said.

"It probably shows he doesn't respect the league, Rotnei Clarke or Chris Goulding and gives an insight into the guy."

The NBL's most recent Hall of Fame inductee Mark Bradtke said he believed Ennis' frustrations had gotten the better of him.

"We can all have a moment like that when we do something in the heat of the moment we may later regret," Bradtke said.

"The dinner is right there at the pier. If he had to go out and walk 100 metres to throw it (the award) away, would he have bothered?

"He had a great year and I think it shows he's passionate. His goal was probably to win everything this year and go to the NBA.

"Does he regret it? Probably.

"But we can't complain athletes don't show enough passion, then react when they do show some."

The Wildcats host Adelaide in Game One in the best-of-three grand final series at Perth Arena on Monday.

"Individual awards are great but this is a team game," 36ers general manager Dean Parker said.

"His actions seem to show where his priorities are."

Game Two will be at Adelaide Arena tomorrow-week, the 36ers 15-1 at The Fortress.

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