Off-Season Player Wrap: Foxwell Shoots High with Eltham

Cover image: Travis Palmieri

See below for how are Phoenix-rostered players are faring across the globe.

Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
15PTS, 8AST, 2STL vs Diamond Valley
26PTS, 3REBS vs Frankston

Owen Foxwell and Eltham started their NBL1 South campaign over the weekend, going 1-1 in back-to-back games.

In the first game against Diamond Valley, Foxwell had a near double-double, scoring 15 points and eight assists in their win 109-73.

In their second game, they lost to a fiery Frankston Blues, 91-104, as the Phoenix rising star scored a game-high 26 points.

Foxy doing what Foxy does best! 🔥 https://t.co/hC6ipUBrBm

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) April 7, 2024

Mitch Creek – Xinjiang Flying Tigers (CBA)
23PTS, 5ASTS, 3REBS, 1STL vs Jiangsu Dragons

In the Flying Tiger's final game for the regular season, Phoenix NBL24 MVP Creek had his best game so far in China.

Recording 23 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal in 16 minutes of court time.

The Flying Tigers now prepare for the playoffs after finishing second on the ladder (41-11).

Ben Ayre – Wellington Saints (NZNBL)
13PTS, 3AST, 2REBS vs Nelson Giants

The Wellington Saints continued their fine form in round two, winning 84- 75 over the Nelson Giants to jump to first on the ladder.

The point guard continued his solid performance, notching 13 points in the win.

Ben Ayre finishes and get the foul called 😎#SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/aC7aPjUG4C

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) April 6, 2024

Reuben Te Rangi – Auckland Tuatara (NZNBL)
13 PTS, 5REBS, 1STL vs Taranaki Airs
23PTS, 1AST, 3REBS vs Whai

After a disappointing loss in the first round, Te Rangi's side bounced back in round two with back-to-back wins.

They had an 84-77 victory against Sam Mackinnon's Taranaki Airs on Thursday night, backing it up on Sunday against new team Whai in a 92-72 win as Te Rangi scored a game-high 23 points.

What control from Reuben Te Rangi! 😍

He's got 23 for the Tuatara! #SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/rSQ6JhWZl3

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) April 6, 2024

Luke Rosendale – Ballarat Miners (NBL1 South)
28PTS, 4ASTS, 8REBS vs Bendigo Braves
11PTS, 2ASTS, 4REBS, 2BLKS vs Geelong United

Development player Luke Rosendale and Phoenix assistant Luke Brennan (now head coach of the Ballarat Miners) had two solid hit-outs in round one, which ended 1-1.

Sharpshooter Rosendale faced off against his old side, Bendigo Braves, where he won their MVP last season, taking out a 97-86 win as Rosendale tallied 28 points and eight rebounds.

Unfortunately, in their second game for the round, the Miners fell short 79-81 to Geelong.  

Austin Rapp – Knox Raiders (NBL1 South)
16PTS, 2ASTS, 7REBS vs Sandringham Sabres
27PTS, 2ASTS, 6REBS, 1STL, 1BLK vs Kilsyth Cobras

The reigning NBL1 South and conference champions continued their hot streak with two wins to start the 2024 season.

College-committed Rapp continued his dominance in NBL1 in the 109-93 win against Sandringham and again against ex-Phoenix captain Kyle Adnam's Kilsyth, where he scored a game-high 27 points in the 109-83 victory.

(Austin Rapp returns to the reigning champions Knox Raiders for 2024. Photo credit: Ian Knight Photography)

Gorjok Gak – Rockingham Flames (NBL1 West)
31PTS, 2ASTS, 9REBS vs Mandurah Magic
20PTS, 2ASTS, 11REBS, 2BLKS vs Goldfields Giants

Another side to continue their winning ways for the start of the season is Gak's Rockingham Flames.

Shooting at 75 per cent and falling short of yet another double-double, Gak's side won 125-116 against the Magic before another win on Sunday. He claimed a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the 87-78 win over the Giants.

Stay tuned via Phoenix socials to keep updated with players' performances during the off-season.