Off-Season Player Wrap: 39-point Weekend for Akech Aliir

Here’s how our Phoenix players performed with their off-season teams:

Akech Aliir – Mt Gambier Pioneers (NBL1 South)
22PTS, 7REBS, 2ASTS vs Sandringham Sabres
17PTS, 16REBS, 5ASTS, 3STLS vs Eltham Wildcats

Freshly signed with the Phoenix, Akech Aliir has been in fine form for the Mt Gambier Pioneers in NBL1 South. Through five games, the 209cm power forward is averaging 21.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

Over the weekend, he tallied a combined 39 points in two wins over the Sandringham Sabres and Eltham Wildcats. His standout performance included a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds in the nine-point win over the Wildcats.

Akech Aliir cannot be contained 💪

Watch NBL1 South via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App 💻 & 📲 pic.twitter.com/5sZ9WhBsl8

— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 12, 2025

Owen Foxwell – Taranaki Airs (NZ NBL)
35PTS, 5REBS, 9ASTS, 3STLS vs Manawatu Jets

Owen Foxwell continues to impress in New Zealand with the Taranaki Airs. Despite the Airs leading for the majority of the game, the Jets snatched a late win. Foxwell was outstanding, delivering a game-high 35 points along with nine assists and three steals.

Foxwell crossing them up into the step back 3 pic.twitter.com/NKYGFzGpyO

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) April 13, 2025

Nathan Sobey – Santeros de Aguada (BSN)
26PTS, 5REBS, 7ASTS, 1STL vs Criollos de Caguas
15PTS, 3REBS, 5ASTS, 4STLS vs Leones de Ponce
16PTS, 4REBS, 1AST, 3STLS vs Capitanes de Arecibo

The Santeros de Aguada finally secured their first win of the season, defeating Criollos de Caguas by nine points last Tuesday. Nathan Sobey starred, posting 26 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in a best-on-court performance.

Despite losses in their next two games against Leones de Ponce and former Phoenix guard Gary Browne’s team, Capitanes de Arecibo, Sobey continued to perform strongly on both ends of the floor.

Luke Rosendale / Majok Majok – Ballarat Miners (NBL1 South)
Rosendale: 10PTS, 3REBS, 2STLS vs NW Tasmania
Majok: 18PTS, 9REBS, 2ASTS vs NW Tasmania
Rosendale: 9PTS, 2REBS, 1AST, 2STLS vs Hobart Chargers
Majok: 14PTS, 6REBS, 1AST vs Hobart Chargers

The Ballarat Miners enjoyed a successful road trip to Tasmania, going 2–0 across the weekend. They opened with a six-point win over NW Tasmania on Friday night, followed by a three-point victory over the Hobart Chargers.

Majok Majok was a dominant presence, nearly registering a double-double in Friday’s game with 18 points and nine rebounds. Luke Rosendale also made a solid contribution, recording a combined 19 points, five rebounds, and four steals across both games.

Tom Vodanovich – Auckland Tuatara (NZ NBL)
12PTS, 7REBS, 2ASTS, 2STLS vs Indian Panthers
11PTS, 7REBS, 4ASTS, 2STLS vs Hawkes Bay Hawks

Auckland went 2–0 across the weekend with wins over the Indian Panthers and Hawkes Bay Hawks, moving up to fifth on the NZ NBL ladder. Tom Vodanovich was reliable at both ends, contributing a total of 23 points and 14 rebounds across the two victories.

Ben Ayre – EWE Baskets Oldenburg (BBL Germany)
2PTS, 1REB, 1AST vs Frankfurt
2REBS, 3ASTS vs Bayern

It was a tough week for EWE Baskets Oldenburg, who fell short in both of their recent matches. Ben Ayre had a quiet outing, registering just two points in the loss to Frankfurt. The team currently sits 14th on the ladder with five games remaining as they push for a playoff spot.

Stay tuned via Phoenix socials and website to be kept updated on how players perform during the off-season.

For a list of the latest roster updates, see below.

Under Contract
Akech Aliir
Owen Foxwell
Angus Glover
Jordan Hunter
Malique Lewis (Next Star)
Nathan Sobey

Free Agents
Ben Ayre  
Matt Hurt
Matt Kenyon
Majok Majok
Luke Rosendale
Tom Vodanovich
Derrick Walton Jr
Joe Wieskamp

Off-Season Moves 

Luke Fennell (Syracuse University)

Cover Image: 3 Point Photography by Tania Millard