Off-Season Player Wrap: New DP Lights up the Floor in NBL1

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

Luke Fennell – Centre of Excellence – (NBL1 East)
22PTS, 6REBS, 3ASTS vs Sydney Comets
14PTS, 5REBS, 3ASTS, 1STLS vs North Bears

Recently signed development player Luke Fennell is plying his trade for the Centre of Excellence in Canberra during the off-season.

The COE's two important wins on the weekend over Sydney Comets (95-79) and North Bears (83-70) moved them from 13th to 7th on the ladder.

Fennell had two solid performances coming off the bench, including a game-high 22 points in the 16-point win over Sydney.

Luke Fennell spins his way for 2️⃣

Watch the NBL1 East Game of the Week Live & Free on Kayo Freebies 📺 pic.twitter.com/iqn80ttS2F

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 5, 2024

Jordan Hunter – Rigas Zelli – (Latvian Basketball League)
7PTS, 8REBS vs BK Ventspils
14PTS, 5REBS vs BK Ventspils
14PTS, 8REBS vs BK Ventspils

Jordi Hunter's Rigas Zelli has advanced to the LBL Grand Final after a 3-1 semi-final win.

After a minor scare as BK Ventspils took out game two 82-103, Rigas Zelli fought back with 111-81 and 65-61 wins. Hunter remained dominant at both ends of the court, helping his side move onto the final stage of the post-season.

Hunter and his side will play VEF Riga, which finished top of the ladder overall in the regular season, in the grand final. Game one will begin on Friday morning.

JORDAN. HUNTER.@basketbols @Sportacentrs @TV4Latvija pic.twitter.com/w60YsHa3ua

— Rīgas Zeļļi (@RigasZelli) May 5, 2024

Ben Ayre – Wellington Saints (NZNBL)
15PTS, 3ASTS, 2REB vs Manawatu Jets 

The Wellington Saints remain at the top of the NZ NBL ladder after a 107-82 win over the Manawatu Jets. Ayre was pivotal in the win, scoring 15 points in the 25-point victory.

Ben Ayre for 3️⃣ 💸#SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/t4MtyEzzvi

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) May 5, 2024

Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
17PTS, 5ASTS, 5REBS, 3STL vs Ringwood Hawks 

Owen Foxwell's side, the Eltham Wildcats, lost to the Ringwood Hawks 77-86 on Saturday night.

Starting the game strong wasn't enough, as the Hawks came out firing in the second and third quarters, outscoring Eltham 53-38 and securing the win. Angus Glover did not suit up for the game, but despite the loss, Foxwell was still dominant, with 17 points, five rebounds, and assists.

(Owen Foxwell shooting for Eltham Wildcats. PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Peterson)

Matt Kenyon – North Gold Coast Seahawks (NBL1 North)
13PTS, 6ASTS, 19REBS, 2STLS vs Brisbane Capitals 

Matt Kenyon's Seahawks had a close 86-83 win on Saturday night over Brisbane. Kenyon returned to his double-double form with 13 points and 19 rebounds and was massive in helping his teammates with six assists.

(Matt Kenyon in action for the Seahawks. Photo Credit: Paul Shaw – P2DK Photography)

Mitch Creek – Xinjiang Flying Tigers (CBA)
9PTS, 3REBS, 1STL vs Zhejiang Chouzhou
2PTS, 1REBS, 1STL vs Zhejiang Chouzhou

Xinjiang are 1-1 in their start in the semi-finals against Zhejiang Chouzhou. After a massive 125-90 victory in game 1, the opposition fought back, taking game 2 85-95.

In his limited minutes - due to the one import on the floor ruling - Creek scored nine points and three rebounds in game one. Creek and Xinjiang will look to bounce back in game three today as they move closer to the grand final berth.

Nathan Sobey – Ipswich Force (NBL1 North)
21PTS, 3ASTS, 3REBS, 2STLS vs Rockhampton Rockets

Unfortunately, Ipswich suffered a tough loss against Rockhampton, going down 100-105. Sobey continued his hot start to the NBL1 North season, scoring 21 points.

That was only ever going to one place from Nathan Sobey 🎯

Watch NBL1 North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App 💻 & pic.twitter.com/WfsveD2EN2

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 4, 2024

Luke Rosendale – Ballarat Miners (NBL1 South)
8PTS, 6ASTS, 2REBS, 2STLS vs Keilor Thunder

The Miners continued their winning ways with a vast 113-83 win over Keilor on Saturday night. Rosendale was huge offensively, hitting his teammates with six assists and contributing eight points of his own.

Reuben Te Rangi – Auckland Tuatara (NZNBL)
12PTS, 4ASTS, 6REBS vs Hawkes Bay Hawks

Auckland and Te Rangi had a big win over the Hawks, with a 120-96 victory, and saw them move to second place on the ladder.

Te Rangi continued working hard at both ends, ending the game with 12 points and six rebounds.

Reuben Te Rangi hits the 3️⃣ to open tonight's game!🎉#SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/9WGiOmSQpR

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) May 4, 2024

Kody Stattmann – Cairns Marlins (NBL1 North)
18PTS, 1ASTS, 2REBS vs Darwin Salties

Cairns had a challenging task in front of them: taking on Darwin Salties, who were atop the ladder. Unfortunately, Darwin were too strong, winning 74-103.

Stattmann still had a strong performance, scoring 18 points in the game.

(Stattmann in action for Cairns. Photo Credit: Gordon Greaves/Cairns Basketball | www.gordong.com)

Gary Browne – Mets de Guaynabo (BSN)
3PTS, 6ASTS, 7REBS, 1STLS vs Criollos de Caguas
7PTS, 6ASTS, 6REBS vs Leones de Ponce
3PTS, 2ASTS, 1REBS vs Gigantes de Carolina

Browne managed to squeeze out three games inside of a week as he ramps up his basketball return in his native Puerto Rico.

Browne's best game came from their win over Leones de Ponce, 103-85, as he was solid across the board, recording seven points, six rebounds and six assists.

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

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

Under Contract
Ben Ayre 
Mitch Creek 
Luke Fennell
Owen Foxwell
Angus Glover
Jordan Hunter
Matt Kenyon
Nathan Sobey 
Derrick Walton Jr

Free Agents
Gary Browne 
Craig Moller 
Abdel Nader 
Anzac Rissetto 
Luke Rosendale 
Kody Stattmann 
Reuben Te Rangi 
Alan Williams 
Rhys Vague

Off-Season Moves
Gorjok Gak (Tasmania)
Austin Rapp (Portland Pilots)

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