Dewa United Banten’s foreign basketball player, Donell Cooper, has emerged as the assist king in the first half of the 2026 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) season. According to IBL statistics, Cooper has averaged 11.6 assists per game (apg) in 10 games this season, the highest among all players during the competition break. Cooper’s presence in the IBL this season has had a significant impact on the club. Known as the “Assist King” in various international competitions, Cooper has now proven his reputation in Indonesia through his consistent ball distribution and game play activation for the team.
Throughout the first half of the season, Cooper has recorded six double-doubles for points and assists, as well as one double-double for rebounds and assists. His highest assist record in a single game reached 15 assists, showcasing his dominant role as the offensive engine for the defending IBL 2025 champions. Cooper’s average number of assists is significantly higher than his nearest competitors. Kenyon Joseph Buffen from RANS Simba Bogor ranks second with 8.1 apg, while Amorie Archibald with Pelita Jaya Jakarta has 7.5 apg.
Antoni Erga from Bogor Hornbills follows with an average of 6.3 apg, and Yudha Saputera from Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung with 6.1 apg. With a considerable lead in assists, Cooper’s achievement is predicted to be hard to surpass if he maintains his consistency until the end of the season. His ability to read his teammates’ movements, combined with a sharp game vision, makes Cooper a central figure in the top assist title race until the end of the season.
If this positive trend continues, Donell Cooper has a great chance of securing his status as the top assist king in the first half of the 2026 IBL season, while also leading Dewa United Banten further in their pursuit of success. The second half of the season started on Wednesday (4/3), where Cooper’s performance will once again be tested to help the team compete in the IBL and Basketball Champions League (BCL) Asia-East 2026.
