Off-Season Player Wrap: Phoenix recruit delivers clutch win at buzzer

Nathan Sobey (Santeros de Aguada):

25PTS, 11ASTS, 5REBS vs. San German (W)

5PTS, 3ASTS, 3 REBS vs. Pirates de Quebradillas (L)

Nathan Sobey was at his very best in Puerto Rico with a double-double leading his side to a rare victory. Having notched just three wins prior to their match-up with San German, Sobey caught fire with 25 points and 11 assists to lead Santeros to victory over San German.

Just four days later, Santeros played Quebradillas but in a tougher affair, a quieter Sobey mustering just five points and three assists. Next up though awaits a meeting with Josh King, Bryce Cotton and Mets de Guaynabo.

Owen Foxwell (Australia Boomers):

8PTS, 2ASTS vs. New Zealand (W)

4PTS, 2ASTS vs. New Zealand (L)

Angus Glover (Australia Boomers):

10PTS, 3ASTS vs. New Zealand (W)

7PTS, 5REBS, 4ASTS vs. New Zealand (L)

Owen Foxwell and Angus Glover played their second and third games over the weekend for the Australia Boomers against the Tall Blacks in the Trans-Tasman series. In game two, the two Phoenix players combined for 18 points and five assists in a thumping victory over the Kiwi side.

Though it was a different story on Sunday as the Boomers fell foul of the New Zealand side for the first time in five years. Though Angus Glover was one of the best performed players in the loss.

Akech Aliir (Mt. Gambier Pioneers):

19PTS, 8REBS, 6ASTS vs. Casey (W)

A clutch put-back from Akech Aliir handed the Mt Gambier Pioneers the lead – and ultimately the victory – in a top-four clash with the Casey Cavaliers. After a missed shot, Aliir grabbed the offensive rebound and nailed the finish with just one second left on the clock.

A timeout and a launch from Tyler Robertson went in vain, with the Pioneers registering their sixth win from nine attempts. Aliir led allcomers for points, assists and rebounds showing his all-round versatility and skill.

Daniel Foster (Keilor Thunder)

13PTS, 9REBS, 9ASTS vs. Knox (L) 

A near triple-double from the Phoenix’s newest recruit very nearly toppled ladder-leaders Knox in the NBL1 South competition. Foster was the most efficient, played the most minutes and was arguable Keilor’s best player in the matchup.

He showed skill inside, and from deep, with Phoenix fans no doubt licking their lips at what Foster can bring to the squad for NBL26.

Luke Rosendale (Ballarat Miners)

32 PTS, 8REBS, 5ASTS vs. Diamond Valley (W) 

Majok Majok (Ballarat Miners)

0PTS, 4REBS, 2ASTS vs. Diamond Valley (W)

Luke Rosendale was the star of the show on Sunday with an incredible stat-line to prove it as the Miners took down Diamond Valley to notch another win as the creep up the NBL1 South table.

Rosendale’s 32 points led both sides, on an incredible 7-13 shooting from deep. His hot hand proved too much for the opposition, while fellow Phoenix player Majok Majok had a quieter night with four rebounds and two assists.

Luke Fennell (Centre of Excellence)

14PTS, 1AST vs. Hills (W)

17PTS, 4REBS, 1AST vs. Inner West (W)

Fennell led the Centre of Excellence to two back-to-back victories in NBL1’s East competition. With a 7-1 record, the COE currently sit atop the table in the division, with Fennell leading the way with impressive showings for the teenager.

The 19-year-old will head to Syracuse soon to link up with the NCAA Division I college and soon to be Hall-of-Fame inductee Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan.

Matt Kenyon (Logan)

11PTS, 11REBS, 3ASTS vs. Cairns (L) 

A double-double wasn’t enough to propel Logan to victory over the Cairns Marlins in the NBL1 North competition, going down by four points and leaving Kenyon’s side with a 1-2 record early in the season.

Kenyon shot a respectable 5-11 from the field but as normal was a beast on the boards, recapturing his rebounding form from last season.