Off-Season Player Wrap: Kenyon Shines in Round 1 Clash

Feature image credit: Stephen Schulz

See below for how our Phoenix-rostered players are faring locally and internationally.

Matt Kenyon – North Gold Coast Seahawks (NBL1 North)
11PTS, 1AST, 16REBS, 1STL vs Logan Thunder

Matt Kenyon and the Seahawks started their NBL1 North season on Thursday night. 

Unfortunately, they didn't get the win over Logan, going down 65-112, but Kenyon had a standout performance, claiming a double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

(Kenyon is playing for the North Gold Coast Seahawks during the off-season. Photo credit: Stephen Schulz)

Ben Ayre – Wellington Saints (NZNBL)
13PTS, 9ASTS, 1REBS, 4STLS vs Otago Nuggets
17PTS, 5ASTS, 2REBS, 1STL vs Southland Sharks

The Wellington Saints had their first loss of the season, going down to the Nuggets 98-105. Despite the loss, Ayre was dominant defensively, notching up four steals and came up just shy of a double-double.

The Saints bounced back on Monday night in a huge 100-75 win over the Southland Sharks. Ayre shot 62.5% from beyond the arc as he notched up 17 points.

BEN AYRE FROM THE CARPARK! 🔥#SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/vxMpFWou7j

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) April 15, 2024

 

Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
12PTS, 2ASTS, 7REBS, 1STL vs Dandenong Rangers
18PTS, 11ASTS, 4REBS, 1STL, 1BLK vs Nunawading Spectres

The Eltham Wildcats had a superb weekend with back-to-back wins over the Dandenong Rangers 85-75 and Nunawading Spectres 96-75.

Foxwell continued to perform at his best in the two games, including a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists against the Spectres. 

(Foxwell was dominate with Eltham across the weekend. Photo credit: Travis Palmieri)

Luke Rosendale – Ballarat Miners (NBL1 South)
22PTS, 5ASTS, 2REBS, 5STLS vs Mt Gambier Pioneers

Luke Rosendale and Phoenix assistant Luke Brennan (now head coach of the Ballarat Miners) made the trip to South Australia to get a win over the Mt Gambier Pioneers 105-94.

Rosendale was on a defensive mission, recording five steals to go with 22 points in the 11-point victory.

Luke Rosendale four-point play opportunity 💪

Watch NBL1 South via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App 💻 & 📲 pic.twitter.com/hzO76Offjh

— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 14, 2024

Kody Stattmann – Cairns Marlins (NBL1 North)
33PTS, 3ASTS, 14REBS, 3STLS vs Darwin Salties

Kody Stattmann kicked off his NBL1 North season in a 90-77 win over the Darwin Salties.

Stattmann teamed up with his brother Ky Stattmann as they dominated on the court, with the Phoenix DP recording a double-double in the opener with 33 points and 14 rebounds.

What a battle ⚔️

Kouat Noi - 3️⃣5️⃣ points
Kody Stattmann - 3️⃣3️⃣ points @NBL1 action is just heating up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sjB4LloNzB

— NBL (@NBL) April 14, 2024

Reuben Te Rangi – Auckland Tuatara (NZNBL)
16PTS, 7REBS, 4STS, 2STL vs Nelson Giants
11PTS, 7AST, 9REBS vs Canterbury Rams

Te Rangi's Auckland went 1-1 in back-to-back games on the weekend.

Starting the round-off, they fell short against the Nelson Giants, going down 84-88 after trailing by 17 points. The Tall Blacks captain recorded a 16-point game and seven rebounds in the loss.

Before bouncing back against the Canterbury Rams, winning 111-99. 

DEEEP 3️⃣ by Reuben Te Rangi!! #SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/y33QqPwwa1

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) April 14, 2024

Austin Rapp – Knox Raiders (NBL1 South)
12PTS, 3ASTS, 5REBS, 2BLKS vs Ringwood Hawks
1ASTS, 2REBS, 1BLK vs Melbourne Tigers

Knox Raiders suffered their first loss since the first round of the finals, going down 99-103 to the Ringwood Hawks on Thursday night. Even in the loss, Rapp still made an impact, having 12 points and two blocks.

They bounced back on Sunday, winning 87-55 against the Melbourne Tigers.

Gorjok Gak – Rockingham Flames (NBL1 West)
20PTS, 2ASTS, 11REBS, 1STL, 2BLKS vs Perry Lakes Hawks
19PTS, 1ASTS, 14REBS, 1STL vs Warwick Senators

Gorjok Gak continues his defensive best in the two wins he had with the Rockingham Flames on the weekend.

First, the Flames won 97-87 over the Perry Lakes Hawks on Friday. Gak had a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Before continuing the double-double performance the next day with 19 points and 14 rebounds in the 118-96 win over Warwick Senators. 

Gorjok Gak with back to back dunks 💥

Watch NBL1 West via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App 💻 & 📲 pic.twitter.com/9C0BndZIS0

— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 13, 2024

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

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

Under Contract 

Ben Ayre
Mitch Creek 
Owen Foxwell 
Matt Kenyon
Nathan Sobey

Free Agents 

Gary Browne 
Gorjok Gak 
Craig Moller 
Abdel Nader 
Austin Rapp
Anzac Rissetto   
Luke Rosendale 
Kody Stattmann 
Reuben Te Rangi 
Alan Williams 
Rhys Vague