Matt Kenyon Signs with the Phoenix for Two Years

South East Melbourne Phoenix is thrilled to announce the signing of local shooting guard Matt Kenyon for two years.

“I’m very excited to join the Phoenix, it’s a great opportunity for me. I’m really looking forward to the challenge. We have a great group at South East. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone, getting to know the coaches and get into it,” said Kenyon.

At 196cm, the guard will add the extra defensive power that new head coach Mike Kelly is looking for in the upcoming NBL24 season. His ability to play hard and put his team first will be a great addition to the club.

“I have played under Mike (Kelly) at a Uni games, so I know Mike pretty well; it’s not like I am going into a new team with a new coach and know nothing about him. He wants to bring a few guys in to play defence and bring that culture of defending and that comes along with winning.

“He sees my role as coming in as that glue guy, playing defence. That’s what I am looking to do, and I feel like I do that regardless of what team I’m on. I really think there is a role for me to play in this team that can really help and impact the game,” he added.

(Kenyon has spent the last two seasons at the JackJumpers.)

Kelly is excited to work alongside Kenyon again and add that defensive mindset to the roster for the season.

“I am excited to welcome Matt to the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Matt is a team-first, tough player who will help set the tone defensively for this group. Matt’s unselfishness helps his team win. It’s been fun to watch his development on the offensive end and we look forward to helping him continue to grow,” said Kelly.

Kenyon started his professional career as a development player at the Brisbane Bullets from 2016-18. He spent the last two seasons playing with the Tasmania JackJumpers where he started in the line-up on numerous occasions.

“What I took out of those experiences was just I can play at this level, and at the highest level, and I just want to keep building on that, and I feel like I am only scratching the surface as a basketball player. So, I am really excited to come to Melbourne,” Kenyon said.

The 25-year-old has also spent time in the United States in 2019, flying over to the US, he got a call from Washington and was drafted to the G League team Capitol City Go-Go. While over there, he trained with NBA teams LA Lakers, LA Clippers, and Chicago Bulls.

“We have been looking to recruit defensive minded, high energy players this off-season and that is exactly what Matt brings on a nightly basis. His length on the wing and ability to guard 1-4, will provide us a lot of versatility within the roster,” said Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer.

(Kenyon will bring a defensive mindset to the roster for the next two seasons.)

Following his stint in the US, Kenyon returned home to Australia and led the Boomers in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifications against New Zealand in Cairns in the 2021, where he contributed six points, ten rebounds, and two assists.

Kenyon is currently playing for the USC Rip City in NBL1 North in the off-season. In his first couple of games, he has averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.

Kenyon joins rostered players Alan Williams, Gorjok Gak, Mitch Creek, Owen Foxwell, Reuben Te Rangi and development player Anzac Rissetto as players signed for Phoenix in NBL24.

Stay tuned via the Phoenix website and socials for updates on player signings throughout the Free Agency period.

Phoenix Media (17/04/23)