Mitchell and Greer Head to Summer League

With NBL Free Agency in full-swing, South East Melbourne Phoenix CEO, Tommy Greer and head coach, Simon Mitchell have made the trip over NBA Summer League in Las Vegas for the next 10 days.

The NBA Summer League is an off-season competition for NBA teams to trial different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups, which can include rookies, college basketballers, G League affiliated players, and new signings. An array of NBL players are also able to have a shootaround with NBA teams to put them on their radar.

With the NBA Summer League competition starting Friday 8 July, Australia time, Greer and Mitchell are using this time in the US to keep an eye on potential players to fill remaining import roster spots for the upcoming NBL23 season, as well as to network with NBA teams.

(Mitchell and Greer are at NBA Summer League to scout and maintain relationships with the NBA.)

“There’s so many benefits to clubs spending the time to network during NBA Summer League and also to help promote the NBL. Since clubs have been visiting the US, the reputation of the league has continued to increase due to the number of key relationships being made between clubs and NBA franchises over the past seven years,” said Greer.

“It’s also a great opportunity for clubs to recruit for the season ahead and future years, meet with agents and NBA clubs about opportunities that can benefit both The NBA franchise and NBL clubs,” he said.

Along with maintaining strong relationships while in Las Vegas, Mitchell has his eyes on filling the two remaining import spots for the NBL23 season, with the help of our international scout, Mike Schmidt.

“We are looking at imports at the guard and centre position. We have some defined physical and playing characteristics we want at both positions and a list of names we feel meet those,” Mitchell said.

“We are using this time to meet with those players as well as talk to agents, scouts, trusted industry folk and any suggestions they may also have.”

“A big part of summer league is sitting down and talking hoops with scouts, international coaches and old industry colleagues and friends. Like most, I've missed this connection over the past two years. I'm really looking forward to this trip to reconnect with these people. A lot of the information gathered, and work done this year will be used for seasons ahead when it comes to recruiting,” he said.

While in Vegas, Greer and Mitchell will also catch up with the Phoenix ownership group, an opportunity that has not been possible since the start of the covid pandemic.

“We have already me up with Romie Chaudhari and Dante Exum when we got to the US. We will meet with Josh Childress in Vegas to discuss the season ahead and how our recruiting is going,” Greer said.

“One of the great advantages we have as a club is our ownership group and the connections and insight they can provide.”

The Phoenix ownership group comprises of Romie Chaudhari, LA Clippers point guard John Wall, Australian basketballer Dante Exum, ex-NBA stars Josh Childress, Zach Randolph and Al Harrington.

(Phoenix owner's Romie Chaudhuri and ex-NBA star Josh Childress.)

With Summer League only lasting 10 days, Greer and Mitchell have set clear goals for the overseas trip before heading home to finalise planning for the NBL23 season.

“We want to continue to build on our already strong relationships within the NBA and hopefully coming out of the event with two imports either signed or well along the way to completing the international roster would be the top priorities.

“We would also like to have some positive conversations regarding pre-season games for next year with a few NBA franchises,” Greer said.

Phoenix Media will provide more updates from Summer League as they come to hand.

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Phoenix Media (7/7/22)