After firing the BiG Storage Cheshire Jets into the BBL Trophy semi-finals, Jayson Obazuaye has won the Molten Player of the Month award for January.

The 23-year-old Nigerian international is currently the BBL’s second leading scorer so far this season with an average of 24.6 points per game, but really shone as the Jets made a last-gasp push for a Trophy semi-final spot by winning their four group games last month.

Undoubtedly the highlight for the 6’2” guard was a huge 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists as the Jets beat the reigning Trophy champions, the Kularoos Plymouth Raiders, 87-74 in their penultimate game in Group One. That allowed them to believe that qualification was a possibility once more, but it was confirmed last weekend as Obazuaye netted 25 points, with 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, in the 86-71 win over the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders.

Overall during January he averaged a massive 28.8 points per game, with 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.6 steals per outing. His predominant rivals for the award were Worcester’s James Life and December winner Charles Smith of the Newcastle Eagles. The former netted 27.7 points per games during the month and also won the Molten Three-Point Shootout at the National Indoor Arena; the latter scored 22.3 points per game, with 8.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

Obazuaye now turns his attention to his biggest game of the season so far as the Jets face Charles Smith and the Eagles on Saturday in the BBL Trophy semi-finals. Both semi-final games take place at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, starting at 3.30pm, and tickets are available by calling 0870 445 0606 or going online at www.bblshop.org.uk. Some tickets will be available on the door.