Back to the Future for Smith-Milner

He may be travelling from across the ditch, but Phoenix recruit Tohi Smith-Milner is sure to feel at home in South East Melbourne for the NBL22 season.

The suburbs of Victoria’s capital are almost a second home for the Auckland native, having spent six years living in Melbourne during his time at rivals United.

His previous stay also included stints at South East Melbourne powerhouse associations Kilsyth and Frankston.

Smith-Milner’s connections stretch further than geographical understandings, with experience playing alongside or under a handful of Phoenix figures.

Coach Simon Mitchell, high-performance boss Eric Hollingsworth and guard Kyle Adnam all shared championship glory at United with Smith-Milner. Reuben Te Rangi (New Zealand Tall Blacks) and Izayah Le’afa (NZNBL) are also familiar with his game.

(Smith-Milner represented the Tall Blacks at the 2018 Commonwealth Games)

The longest standing connection is assistant coach Judd Flavell, who nurtured him from a young age at the New Zealand Breakers academy and played a key role in bringing him to the Phoenix.

“I’ve known Judd Flavell since I was about 13 years old coming through the New Zealand Breakers academy system where Judd was the head coach. Guys like Reuben came through that system too,” Smith-Milner says.

“Judd flicked me a message after last season’s finals and said there was an opportunity to get a roster spot at South East Melbourne.

“I also knew Simon, Eric and Kyle from the old Melbourne United days and was lucky enough to win a championship with them there. I’m looking forward to re-uniting with those guys and trying to win one with the Phoenix.”

Flavell says the 25-year-old’s familiarity with members of the team played a role in the club's decision to offer him a contract.

“I’ve got a long history with Tohi from a junior all the way through to the Tall Blacks program. He’s familiar with a lot of people at our club and we are with him,” he says.

“Looking at our players we have with Reuben, Izayah and Kyle, they’ve all played parts with Tohi on different teams. When you look at how a new player is going to fit and what will their chemistry be like, with Tohi we know that’s going to be a positive.

“It will be an easy adjustment to bring him in and we’re looking forward to adding him to the group.”

Smith-Milner spent the 2021 season starting at centre on the championship-winning Wellington Saints in the NZNBL, averaging 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

(A strong NZNBL season set up another NBL opportunity for Smith-Milner)

He’s expected to back up both the power forward and centre positions at the Phoenix in NBL22.

Flavell believes there’s still plenty of upside in his game.

“Tohi is a multi-skilled, versatile big who is able to play the four and the five which is important for us to have that flexibility – it was something we were looking for,” he says.

“He’s someone who I think is still on the way up. He’s still young at 25 and has a lot to offer. For how young he is, he’s got a lot of experience in the NBL and on the international stage, he’s won championships, but I still think the NBL is yet to see his best. That was an attraction in signing Tohi.

“There will be a lot he can contribute and I think it’s a really good move for a guy who has the potential to grow even more as a player.”

With a new season start date of November 18, Smith-Milner has a few months to rekindle those relationships and bring his A-game to a team aspiring to go one step further and play off for the NBL title.

“I just want to come in and try to stamp my mark on this team. I’m really looking forward to it.”

PHOENIX NBL22 MEMBERSHIPS

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (23/08/2021)