Ball like Wall: Phoenix Skipper Buoyed by Idol's Investment

Phoenix guard Kyle Adnam says he was thrilled with the news of five-time NBA All-Star and one of his early-career idols, John Wall joining the club’s ownership group last week.

Wall has been a star point guard for the Washington Wizards for the last decade and plays in a similar style to Adnam, bringing pace and dare to the position.

Adnam was coming through the Victorian youth pathway when Wall was selected with the first pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Now, 10 years on, he’ll be representing the Wizards star’s new investment in the Heartland of Australian basketball.

“He was drafted around the time I was sort of starting my career and he was someone I always looked up to,” Adnam said.

“To have someone like that with such experience, obviously in the business side of the sport as well, is awesome.

“He understands the game really well; he understands players, different chemistry and dynamic, and the operations, so it's amazing.

“He’s a phenomenal player and I think he’s going to be a phenomenal owner as well. Everyone at the club is so excited, all the boys are chitchatting about it.”

Wall is the latest current or former NBA player to buy into the Phoenix ownership group lead by entrepreneur Romie Chaudhari, joining Zach Randolph, Al Harrington, Dante Exum and Josh Childress.

(Chaudhari and Adnam at The Fire Pit last season)

With an announcement on the NBL21 season fixture expected in the coming week, Adnam says the team is “itching to go” following the bizarre and lengthy preparation off-season period.

“We’re really positive,” he said. “Everyone’s just been excited to be able to train and have something to get out of the house.

“It's been a long pre-season; it's definitely been a little bit of a slog, but it's been absolutely amazing.

“Obviously we've been back to some sort of normality as of recent but I think everyone's just been so excited to get out of the house, get a coffee, meet the boys, talk a bit of smack in the morning and then get on the court.

“It’s going to be absolutely awesome once the season kicks off.”

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Phoenix Media (30/11/2020)