Off-Season Update 2.0

With point guard Keifer Sykes signing a deal with the Indiana Pacers, South East Melbourne Phoenix are on the hunt for an import to fill his bouncy shoes.

A Phoenix line-up with Cam Gliddon and Ryan Broekhoff on the wings plus Mitch Creek and new import Zach Hankins in the paint is an impressive outfit and one looking to be solidified with an overseas playmaker.

Heading into their third NBL season, the Phoenix have hit on both of their import point guards in previous years.

John Roberson shot the lights out in year one, breaking the NBL’s 40-minute era three-point record, before Keifer Sykes took things to another level last season.

Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer says the club is on the hunt for another elite level import to plug into their potent line-up.

“Ideally we’re looking for a guard with size and length,” he said.

“We want someone who can finish in the paint, finish at the rim and do a really good job of drawing defenders off our wings and finding the open man. We’ve got guys like Ryan Broekhoff and Cam Gliddon sitting on each wing, so we want a point guard who demands a lot of gravity from opposition defences.

“We’re also looking for the guard to be defensive minded. We don’t want to take any backwards steps on the gains we’ve made on that end of the floor next season, so we want a player who is elite on that end of the floor.”

He also believes the rise of Keifer Sykes in a Phoenix uniform to a dream opportunity in the NBA will be a tasty carrot for potential signings.

“This is exactly how he drew it up when he decided to come out here to Australia. He played a really significant role for us last year, helped us take that next step, and on the back of that earned himself a shot at a NBA roster spot,” Greer said.

“We couldn’t be happier for him. It adds to that NBL/NBA pathway which is now a reality and something we will use this off-season to entice similar and even higher talent to take up the opportunity to come out here and play.”

As for the remainder of the roster, role players to fit specific needs are high on the agenda.

The guard rotation with Kyle Adnam and Izayah Le’afa backing up a likely import is strong, opening up the potential for a few wing or frontcourt types to join the team.

“We’re looking for a local four/five spot big man with the size to hold a five man defensively and can play that role in real spot minutes. A stretch four/five would be ideal to space the floor.

“We’re also looking to add another local player, likely being a wing or forward, just depending on best available talent.”

Timing is another question hot on Phoenix fans’ lips.

As was the case last season with the patient roster building approach in the off-season, the team are again assessing all available options before committing to the right fit.

“The key in this off-season with everything going on around the world is not to rush our decisions.

“We made incredible gains in the off-season last year which saw us make our first semi-final and believe that taking the time this off-season to find the right player rather than rushing into things is going to be key to our success next season.

“There’s still really high-level talent running around at the moment at the NBA Summer League and elsewhere waiting for NBA opportunities. A lot of the high-level European jobs have been taken up, so we believe by being patient it will potentially open us up to some high-level talent.”

Elsewhere in Phoenix land, Cam Gliddon is rehabbing his operated hip and Dane Pineau is a chance to feature for the Melbourne Tigers NBL1 team at some point in his return from injury.

READ: HIP SURGERY TO REVITALISE SHARPSHOOTER

Zach Hankins started his NBA Summer League campaign with the Phoenix Suns this week and has impressed respected NBA commentator Doris Burke with his ability to get teammates open.

(Hankins in action for the Suns)

He scored six points in 10 minutes in the first game and hauled in eight rebounds in 15 minutes in game two.

“We’re really happy with how he’s performed,” Greer said.

“He’s getting in the right spots and doing a great job of getting his teammates open. He’s also running the floor well and we think once he gets his fitness back in those legs, he’ll be a real problem.

“Quite often in Summer League situations the big guys get iced out of the offence a little bit but we’re really happy with what we’ve seen.”

The Phoenix’s current NBL22 roster includes Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff, Zach Hankins, Cam Gliddon, Kyle Adnam, Izayah Le’afa, Dane Pineau and Reuben Te Rangi.

NBL22 MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE

Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (12/08/2021)