ANY concerns that Jamar Wilson was suffering the NBL's version of the sophomore slump were put to rest on Sunday night when the American popped up to steer his Taipans to a much-needed win. 

The New Yorker was a whisker away from winning the league's MVP award in his first Australian season but has been down on points and accuracy in his second stint.

Following the 76-66 win against Wollongong, Wilson's point guard rival Rhys Martin assured everyone that the Taipans' No. 5 had not lost a skerrick of his talent.

"He's still good, don't worry about that," he laughed.

"Obviously he gets scouted more heavily and teams get better at covering him. But he is always such a dangerous player."

But his performance (11 points, eight assists) at point guard was just one of many bright sparks on the night.
They had four in double figures, two with nine and one with eight.

And then with seven there was Shaun Bruce, who only played after a groin injury kept Kerry Williams in his polo shirt for the evening.

The development player oozed all the class of his older brother Aaron, who had notched 22 points and five assists for the Kings earlier that day.

His twin triples to close a brilliant third quarter were like daggers through the Hawks' side.

"He stepped up big, he's been working hard and it must be hard for them because most of the time at training they are sitting on the sidelines," Wilson said of his understudy Bruce.

"But he was alert, he knew what we were in. He got the chance to see the lights and all that work (he has put in) showed."

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