It’s the local team: King on the foundation of the NBL27 roster

King joined SEN on Monday for the Phoenix’s annual SEN Membership Day, discussing the upcoming season and the roster so far.

The continuity among the local players is the strongest the Phoenix has seen in recent seasons, with the return of Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Akech Aliir and Daniel Foster, alongside development players Pat Ryan and Ellis Biggar, providing an important foundation for the roster.

“It’s the locals team. They (new locals and imports) have to adjust to the guys that have been with the program,” King said to SEN.

“…these guys have lay down the foundations. I think that’s really important that you find guys that can fit with them as well.”

The local players are important not only for the team’s on-court performance but also for its culture.

“Holding everybody to a standard and holding everybody accountable from the first guy to the twelfth guy, and not showing any favouritism – you need your big dogs to be big dogs but you have to also call them out and hold them just as accountable.

“I think that goes a long way to setting culture.”

The Phoenix will again strive to reach their maiden Championship Series after falling short in the semi-finals in each of the past two seasons. King is excited about what this group can bring to the Heartland.

“I think we will be deeper. We have more guys that have been with our club for longer, so we got more carryover, which is always really important. The league is getting better, so we have to be better.

“The style of play is going to be very similar. I don’t know any other way other than to play that up and end, fast paced tempo and just have a lot of fun."

Phoenix MVP from NBL26, Sobey, also praised his side as he prepares to enter his 14th NBL season.

“We’ve got a couple of returning guys - I think we have got a lot of talent coming in, obviously the imports we have signed, super excited, I think they are going to be awesome to watch,” Sobey said on SEN.

The Phoenix have a number of pre-season games at State Basketball Centre as they prepare for NBL27. The team will take on NCAA Division I college team Saint Mary’s this Sunday, August 16, at 1pm, followed by a full-team signing for fans to meet the Phoenix squad. GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE GAME HERE.