Off-Season Player Wrap: New Signings Dominate on the Court

Cover image: Travis Palmieri

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

Angus Glover – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
23PTS, 3ASTS, 10REBS, 1STL vs Kilsyth Cobras

One of the Phoenix's new recruits has already started his season with the Eltham Wildcats on a high, averaging 22.6 points, 3.6 assists and five rebounds in the five games played.

Eltham's 99-59 win over Kilsyth Cobras saw them shoot up to the top of the NBL1 South ladder. Glover continued his fine form, recording a double-double with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Jordan Hunter – Rigas Zelli – (Latvian Basketball League)
14PTS, 5ASTS, 8REBS vs Valmeria Glass Via

The Phoenix’s brand-new centre, Jordi Hunter, is plying his trade in Latvia as his side Rigas Zelli keep making waves in the finals period. 

In game four, Hunter scored 14 points and eight rebounds in the 84-71 win. Rigas Zelli won the quarter-finals series 3-1 and now advance to the semi-finals to take on BK Ventspil. 

Nathan Sobey – Ipswich Force (NBL1 North)
20PTS, 2ASTS, 2STLS vs Southern District Spartans

NBL veteran Nathan Sobey returned to Ipswich Force on the weekend as he helped the side win their first game for the season over the Southern District Spartans 85-78.

The game had been rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday due to a stadium water leak, but that did not stop the reigning NBL1 North Finals MVP from lighting up the floor and recording 20 points.

Sobes lighting it up in the @NBL1 💚 https://t.co/NmvwL24TBS

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) April 21, 2024

Matt Kenyon – North Gold Coast Seahawks (NBL1 North)
22PTS, 2ASTS, 21REBS, 4STL vs Townsville Heat
14PTS, 4ASTS, 14REBS, 2STLS, 1BLK vs Cairns Marlins

The Seahawks went 1-1 in their back-to-back games across the weekend, and Kenyon had standout performances in both games.

On Friday night, the Seahawks won 109-97 in overtime. Kenyon was on fire, recording an incredible double-double with 22 points and 21 rebounds against the Heat. 

He backed up his performance on Saturday against Kody Stattmann's Cairns Marlins with another double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, staking his claim early to go back-to-back in NBL1 North Defensive Player of the Year. Unfortunately for Kenyon, Stattmann's Marlins had the victory on the scoreboard, taking the win 86-104.

Mitch Creek – Xinjiang Flying Tigers (CBA)
9PTS, 1REB vs Guangzhou
1PTS, 1ASTS, 2REBS vs. Guangzhou

Mitch Creek and Xinjiang started their finals campaign against Guangzhou over the weekend. In two games so far in the quarter-finals, Xinjiang is up 2-0, with a 108-91 victory on Friday and a 113-86 win on Sunday.

In the limited minutes on court, due to the ruling of one import on the court per quarter, Creek still provided a spark in the wins. They play game three on Wednesday.

Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
18PTS, 8ASTS, 4REBS, 1STL vs Kilsyth Cobras

Teaming up with new Phoenix recruit Angus Glover, Foxwell continued his hot start to the NBL1 South season against ex-Phoenix captain Kyle Adnam's Cobras. 

Foxwell recorded 18 points and eight assists in the 40-point win on Saturday.

(Photo credit: Travis Palmieri)

Ben Ayre – Wellington Saints (NZNBL)
8PTS, 8ASTS, 1REB vs Taranaki Airs

On Sunday, Ben Ayre and the Saints came up against Phoenix assistant coach Sam MacKinnon’s side, Taranaki Airs. Ayre's Saints claimed bragging rights in the 103-86 win.

Ayre continues to be a team player, finding his teammates by netting eight assists along with eight points in the 17-point win.

(Ben Ayre playing in New Zealand. Photo credit: dub__gallery)

Kody Stattmann – Cairns Marlins (NBL1 North)
31PTS, 1ASTS, 8REBS, 2STLS, 2BLKS vs North Gold Coast Seahawks

Kody Stattmann faced off against Matt Kenyon's side, which continued their winning streak to start the season with a 104-86 victory. 

Stattmann lit up in the win at both ends of the court, recording 31 points, and was hard defensively, racking up eight boards, two steals and two blocks. 

👀 pic.twitter.com/s0bjQCkPom

— NBL (@NBL) April 22, 2024

Reuben Te Rangi – Auckland Tuatara (NZNBL)
6PTS, 6ASTS, 8REBS, 3STLS vs Southland Sharks

A 94-54 win on Friday night saw Te Rangi's Auckland Tuatara jump from sixth to fourth on the NZNBL ladder.

Te Rangi provided his teammates a brick wall on defence, recording three steals and eight rebounds while finding his teammates through six assists. 

Reuben Te Rangi sees everything 👀#SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/KYg05qrEDU

— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) April 19, 2024

Luke Rosendale – Ballarat Miners (NBL1 South)
5PTS, 5ASTS, 10REBS, 2STLS vs Ringwood Hawks

The Ballarat Miners won the Ringwood Hawks' game 112-81. Rosendale may not have been as prolific on the score sheet as usual but he performed hugely defensively, with 10 boards and two steals.

Austin Rapp – Knox Raiders (NBL1 South)
3PTS, 1ASTS, 2REBS vs Dandenong Rangers

Unfortunately, the Knox Raiders suffered a 74-79 loss to the Dandenong Rangers on Saturday night.

DP Austin Rapp had a quiet game coming off the bench, but in good news for the 18-year-old, he has officially signed with the US college team, the Portland Pilots.

Congrats @austinrappp 💚 https://t.co/nGgHu1f8zE

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) April 22, 2024

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 
Owen Foxwell
Angus Glover
Jordan Hunter
Matt Kenyon
Nathan Sobey  

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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