Alex Fudge nominated for Defensive Player of the Year

Alex Fudge has been nominated for the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award by the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). 

This nomination comes after Fudge’s first year in the CEBL and third professional season. The 23-year-old G League player for the Sioux Falls Skyforce played 23 games for the BlackJacks this summer and averaged 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. 

Fudge led the league in blocks after just a few games, and held onto that title for the majority of the season. By the end of the 2026 regular season, he had cemented himself as the league’s 2026 leader in total blocks with 40 on the season. 

For this reason, it is no surprise that Fudge would be nominated for the DPOY award, as he made his presence in the paint known. 

Fudge’s best game came on June 23 against the Scarborough Shooting Stars. He finished that game with 22 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. 

“Alex Fudge, I mean, he's elite. He's really elite,” said Head Coach Justin Mazzulla about Fudge and his game. 

Fudge is also eighth in the league for total defensive rebounds, another reason why he has been nominated for the award. He shines in protecting the rim and totaled 103 defensive rebounds on the season, averaging 4.4 per game.