Nicholas averaged 25.5 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists over two games as the Border club surged to the top of the East conference with an unbeaten record.

The silky-smooth swingman tipped off the weekend with a dominant display on Friday night, torching Bendigo for 29 points (on 58 per cent shooting), eight rebounds, eight steals, four assists and two blocks as the Bandits defeated the Braves 81-72.

He followed that with another superlative performance of 22 points (7-9 shooting), eight rebounds and two assists as the Bandits completed a home-road sweep with a come-from-behind 84-79 triumph over conference champions Nunawading.

Nicholas is the first male Bandits player to win the award since guard Eric Vann’s 39-point demolition of Geelong in round two of 2013.

While quietly pleased with the award, Nicholas was far more interested in keeping the Bandits’ winning streak intact.

“To be honest, I’m more happy to be unbeaten,” Nicholas said.

“3-0 is great, the award is just the cherry on top.

“We just want to keep getting better, I think our record speaks for itself and we want to get a jump on everyone else.

“It’s a lot easier to fix things when you’re winning, so we’ve got the upper hand.

“I don’t think anyone is really worried about individual awards, it looks good, but we’re 3-0 and that looks even better.”

Bandits teammate and countryman Cory Dixon can consider himself unlucky to miss out on the award after averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds over the two wins.

Averaging 23.3 points per game overall, Nicholas is now the second-leading scorer in the SEABL while also leading the league in steals.

The Bandits travel to The Arena on Anzac Day for a blockbuster clash with Geelong.

Meanwhile, Nunawading’s Rebecca Cole was rewarded for her 37-point scoring spree against the Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits with the women’s player of the week award.