Owen Foxwell Signs Two Year Deal with Phoenix

Bulleen local and Heartland favourite Owen Foxwell has signed a two-year deal with South East Melbourne Phoenix and will join the full roster for NBL24.

Foxwell, 19, has spent the last two seasons in the NBL playing as a development player for the Phoenix, which has seen his confidence, popularity and respect within the league grow, largely due to his big defensive plays and ability to guard some of the best players in the NBL.

"It means a lot to me to continue to be able to play for the team that represents the area I grew up in. I love the fans, the club, everything about it, and I am so grateful to be back for another two years to help this club win a championship," Foxwell said.

(After two years as a DP, Foxwell has earned a spot on Phoenix's full roster for the next two seasons.)

Foxwell joined the Phoenix for an open run during the pre-season of NBL22 and was invited back by then coach Simon Mitchell, who offered him a development player role.

Foxwell made an instant impression when he took to the court in the club's first NBL Blitz game against the Sydney Kings in NBL22 and quickly became a fan favourite amongst the Phoenix community.

His biggest moment, though, came in NBL23 while guarding a dominant Derrick Walton Jr, forcing stops during crucial moments in play from tough defensive acts, which helped Phoenix beat current grand finalists Sydney Kings in a double overtime thriller in front of a bumper Gippsland crowd.

CEO Tommy Greer has been wrapt with Foxwell's growth, and that the young local guard is staying at the Phoenix as a fully rostered player.

"I've loved witnessing Owen's development over the past two seasons, and I'm really excited about his potential in the NBL as he continues to grow his game," said Greer.

"His intensity on the defensive end of the floor is something, as a club, we want to emphasise going into next season. For that reason and others, we are very happy to see him signing on as a fully rostered player for the next two seasons."

(Foxwell has become a fan favourite in the Heartland.)

Growing up in Bulleen and playing with the Bulleen Boomers in under 14's, Foxwell was grateful to have the opportunity to play with various clubs in the lead-up to his NBL career, including NBL1's Eltham Wildcats.

"I played all my junior basketball at Bulleen from under 12, and I wouldn't have wanted to play anywhere else. It really prepared me for what's to come," Foxwell said.

Foxwell joins Alan Williams, Mitch Creek and Reuben Te Rangi as rostered players signed at the Phoenix ahead of the NBL free agency period starting March 30.

Phoenix Media (14/03/2023)