Mitchell: "Unbelievable Journey" Starts Now

Phoenix Head Coach Simon Mitchell has provided an off-season update ahead of the team’s official pre-season start on Monday. 

The pre-season program will commence with eight rostered players plus additional training players.

New recruit Yanni Wetzell will arrive at the club for the first time on Monday after two weeks in Sydney quarantine, joining Mitch Creek, Reuben Te Rangi, Kendall Stephens, Adam Gibson, Cam Gliddon, Kyle Adnam and Dane Pineau.

(Kyle Adnam listens on as Asssistant Coach Judd Flavell organises a drill)

Development player Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa (living in Sacramento) will join pre-season in early December, likely alongside any further international signings.

Contact training for Victorian-based NBL clubs has returned in recent weeks with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the state, allowing the Phoenix to ramp up the intensity during their sessions.

Training and gym sessions are currently taking place four times a week as NBL21 edges closer.

“Our group is still pretty small at the moment but having said that the difference between this year and last year is immense given the guys here, the majority of them have worked together before so there’s a little bit of continuity there going into pre-season,” Mitchell said.

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“The guys have been fantastic. All credit to them because it’s been really difficult circumstances with changing of the dates and conditions around the way we train. They’ve been really disciplined, their mindset has been great and they’ve used this period to get better.

“All of this off-season has really been on individual skill development but now we’ll start to work a few more team concepts.”

Kendall Stephens and Kyle Adnam are two players Mitchell highlighted as being in great shape heading into pre-season.

Stephens has lit up the training floor since returning from time at home with his family in the United States, getting himself in impressive condition as he looks to improve his game next season, while Adnam has been a standout across the whole off-season period.

“Kendall’s in far better condition than when he came in last year. He’s looking really good, moving well, seems to have a quicker first step, his shots coming off quicker, everything about him has been fantastic,” Mitchell said.

“Kyle Adnam’s off-season has also been unbelievable, he’s really moved into a next level player and I’m really looking forward to seeing him with a full squad here and giving him a stage to show what he’s worked on.”

Mitchell was also happy with the condition and touch of "swiss army knife" Reuben Te Rangi, who arrived from New Zealand last month.

With the fixture announcement expected in mid-November and training across the league stepping up, the second-year coach's focus is now firmly on best preparing for a NBL21 finals push.

“The guys can’t wait,” he said.

“To get everybody together over the next couple of weeks and build towards something we feel is going to be an unbelievable journey - I think we’re all excited.”

Pics: Training Heats Up

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (30/10/2020)