Off-Season Player Wrap Week 7

It’s that time again to check in with how our players have performed over the weekend in their off-season competitions while preparing for the NBL24 season.

Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats – NBL1 South

NBL1 teams donned pink to bring awareness for breast cancer across the Mother's Day weekend.

Owen Foxwell bounced back from a quiet weekend in round 5 with a big game over Andrew Gaze’s Melbourne Tigers with a nine-point win and cementing second position on the ladder. Foxwell was instrumental in his side’s victory with 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. 

Eltham 100-91 Melbourne Tigers
Foxwell: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals.

Foxwell returns to the court on Saturday to take on the Ringwood Hawks.

(Foxwell was of the standouts for Eltham on the weekend. Photo: Travis Palmieri)

Ben Ayre – Sandringham Sabres – NBL1 South

Ben Ayre continues to shine for the Sandringham Sabres notching up a game-high 30 points in their big 36-point win over Keilor Thunder. 

Ayre was on target with a huge 69.23% from the field and 100% from the free throw line. 

Sandringham 125-89 Keilor Thunder
Ayre: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Ayre and the Sabres take the court again on Friday night against Mt Gambier Pioneers before another game on Sunday against NW Tasmania.

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Reuben Te Rangi – Auckland Tuatara – NZ NBL

Reuben Te Rangi was pivotal in Auckland Tuatara’s bounce-back win after last week’s close loss. Te Rangi scored 24 points and six rebounds in his side’s 31-point win over Hawke’s Bay Hawks.

Auckland 106-75 Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Te Rangi: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block.

Te Rangi and Aukland will be seeking revenge against the Otago Nuggets on Thursday night, following a close loss to them a fortnight ago.

Matt Kenyon – USC Rip City – NBL1 North

USC Rip City had a close loss to the second-placed Ipswich Force on Friday night going down by nine points. Matt Kenyon again had a strong performance recording another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. 

Rip City 102-111 Ipswich Force
Kenyon: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals.

Rip City will look to return to the winner’s list this Saturday against Southern Districts Spartans.

Gorjok Gak – Willetton Tigers – NBL1 West

Gorjok Gak’s Willetton Tigers sadly went down by 22 points against third placed Geraldton Buccaneers on the weekend. Gak continued his good form as he builds towards the upcoming NBL season, recording his seventh double-double this NBL1 season with 22 points and 16 rebounds, in addition to being 72.73% from the field.

Tigers 98-120 Geraldton Buccaneers
Gak: 22 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks.

Willetton Tigers will look to redeem themselves as they take on Mandurah Magic and Goldfields Giants in back-to-back games this weekend.

(Gak bought up his sevent double-double for the NBL1 season. Photo: June Halliday.)

Anzac Rissetto – Taranaki Airs – NZ NBL

The Taranaki Airs unfortunately lost to the Bay Hawks on the weekend by 11 points. Anzac Rissetto had a quiet game but still contributed with six points and six rebounds. 

Airs 93-102 Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Rissetto: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block.

Rissetto returns to the court with the Airs on Friday night to take on his old NZ NBL side, Franklin Bulls.

Alan Williams - Nagoya Diamond Dolphins – Japan B.League

Alan Williams’ Dolphins unfortunately went out in straight sets in their quarter final series against West District conference champions Ryukyu Golden Kings over the weekend.

Williams was unable to take part in the series after receiving a concussion in the final game of the regular season against Alvark Tokyo. He was replaced in the side for the first quarter final.

Despite being available to play in the second game of the series, due to league rules, the roster cannot be changed once the finals series begins, so Williams was unable to play for any remaining games.

Dolphins 85-91 Golden Kings

Dolphins 81-92 Golden Kings

Williams will now return home to Phoenix Arizona before returning to Melbourne for pre-season later this year.

That's it for this week's wrap, check back next week to see how Phoenix's contracted players are going locally and internationally.

Phoenix Media (16/05/23)