Gary Browne Returns for Round 4

Import Gary Browne will play his first official NBL game for the Phoenix against the New Zealand Breakers in Auckland on Thursday night; allowing head coach Simon Mitchell to pick from a full roster of players for the first time in NBL23.

Browne will add much needed depth at the point guard position for the Phoenix after Kyle Adnam and development player Owen Foxwell shouldered the load for the first three rounds of the season.

"I feel good, I had a really good rehab with the team; it was very helpful, not only physically but mentally. I know it’s going to be a long trip being my first game to New Zealand, but I feel it’s a great challenge for me, I’m looking forward to it," said Browne

Browne missed the first four games of NBL23 after sustaining a grade 1 strain of his medial ligament in the opening minutes of Phoenix’s final game of the NBL Blitz against the Sydney Kings in Darwin.

(Browne will play his first regular season game for NBL23.)

It was initially feared Browne had done far worse damage to his knee but following scans it revealed he would only miss 3-4 weeks in a best case scenario for the talented import.

Browne will bring added leadership and basketball IQ to the team and was signed by the Phoenix for his low shot clock finishing and passing ability.

"It helps the team, it's the team that we actually built for the whole season, sadly we’ve got three straight losses, but this starting point of turning things around because we got the whole squad and spirit of it back. It will be a process but we are up for the challenge," said Browne on having the full squad healthy. 

Mitchell is excited to get Browne onto the floor to help the team with where they have been lacking in the last few games.

"I am really excited to get Gary back on the floor. He brings amazing speed and ball handling and can create good looks for his teammates in broken plays, which is something we are missing right now," Mitchell said.

"With Gary, Trey, Rowdy and Zhou all in uniform, we can start to build on the vision we have for this team. We know it’s still going to take some time before the game fitness returns and the chemistry flows, but having everyone on the floor is a start."

The Phoenix head to Auckland to face the Breakers for the second time in 5 days after falling to the Kiwi based team at John Cain Arena on Saturday night before heading home to play the Bullets on Saturday.

Tickets for Round 4 against the Bullets - CLICK HERE

Phoenix Media (18/10/22)