Foxwell Shines in Gippsland

On Sunday in Gippsland, with injuries to two key players, Simon Mitchell looked down the bench and called development player Owen Foxwell's number.

As Foxwell ran onto the floor, cheers from the local crowd nearly tore the roof off Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.

The second-year development player wasted no time impacting the game, drawing two offensive fouls, then hitting a three down the stretch of regulation.

He may have had the task on Derrick Walton Jr, but co-captain Mitch Creek was impressed by the youngster's effort in minimising Walton Jr's offensive acts as much as he could.

(Creek was impressed by Foxwell's game on Sunday.)

With Mitch Creek and Derrick Walton Jr putting on an offensive show, it fell to Foxwell to try and limit what Walton Jr was doing offensively.

"Hats off to Owen Foxwell, like that might be the best game I've ever seen someone play one-on-one defence and get 40 pieced. If Foxy weren't on our team for that game, he would have scored 74," commented Creek post-game.

"Seeing Owen Foxwell taking three charges was pretty damn cool."

Foxwell has always hung his hat on his defence. 

"Ever since I was younger, it was always a big thing for me (defence). When I was younger, I wasn't the most skilled player; that came with development at training. I kind of always prioritise the defensive end, and I always love playing defence. I love getting stops; I love stopping other people from scoring," Foxwell said to RSN Mornings Monday morning.

"I think it's the most important part of the game. Coaches will play you if you can play defence; the offensive game will come, but defence is always where it is at, and I have always prioritised it," he said.

Phoenix will take on the Brisbane Bullets tonight before travelling to Adelaide to face the 36ers on Christmas Eve.

Phoenix Media (20/12/22)