NBA X NBL Success Driving Hankins ahead of Summer League Stint

Over the last few years the NBL has established itself as an elite talent pathway to the NBA.

LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton, Didi Louzada, Torrey Craig, Jae’Sean Tate and most recently Josh Giddey being taken by Oklahoma City with pick six in last week’s NBA Draft highlight the opportunities on offer to those who flourish on our shores.

For new Phoenix import Zach Hankins, the path paved by these former NBL studs inspired his decision to make South East Melbourne home for NBL22.

NBL22 MEMBERSHIPS

The 6’11 American is preparing to represent the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League, starting next week, in a bid to “show I can play at the highest level possible”.

Following Hankins’ stint with the Suns, the 25-year-old hopes to make the trip down under in September to join pre-season training.

It will be his second NBA Summer League appearance, having played for Philadelphia in 2019.

“Having the league really mimic the NBA and try to establish itself as a really great place for players to come play and continue to develop (was part of my decision),” Hankins said.

“LaMelo Ball and a couple of other really high-level young players have gone there to show, ‘hey, I can play at a high level, this is high-level basketball’ is really cool to watch.

“Specifically for me, I watch Jae’Sean Tate. He’s with my same agency, Beyond Athlete Management and seeing him go there, have a wonderful time, kill it and make it to the Houston Rockets – that’s such a cool story.

“It’s great basketball and going to be a mix of good culture for me and my wife along with great basketball.”

The Phoenix sorely missed the shot blocking and defensive prowess of centre Dane Pineau last season, but now enter NBL22 with a potent defensive punch on the interior with Pineau returning and Hankins’ addition.

Hankins hopes to show off his talent on both ends of the floor in his new colours to catch the eyes of NBA scouts.

“I’m a shot blocker, I love blocking shots. Defensively just disrupting people, getting in their way with little bumps and shoves here and there,” he said.

READ: TWITTER REACTS TO HANKINS SIGNING

“I protect the rim hard and being able to stretch out and defend a guard on the perimeter if I can is a really important thing in today’s basketball.

“Offensively, I like sprinting the floor really hard, catching lobs, post moves, touch around the rim.

“I’ve been trying to develop a bit of a shot outside because it’s a necessity of the game moving forward but never fall away from your identity of what you know you’re really great at – (which for me is) around the rim finishing and making fun, exciting plays.”

The Phoenix’s roster still has a few places to fill, with local and international talent to join Hankins’ adventure down under.

“I’m ecstatic to get to Australia, get through quarantine and then experience a place I’ve dreamt about going to for as long as I can remember and playing some basketball.”

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (03/08/2021)