Phoenix Add Luke Rosendale as DP for NBL24

South East Melbourne Phoenix is excited to announce the signing of development player, guard Luke Rosendale.

Persistence has been vital for Rosendale after being a training player with the Phoenix during the NBL22/23 season, he now gets his chance on an NBL roster.

"I'm super excited to be joining SEM. Being around the Phoenix last year was the best thing I've done for my basketball, so this opportunity was a no-brainer," commented Rosendale.

"It's awesome to get the opportunity. I feel the work I did as a training player last season has really paid off."

(Rosendale was a training player during the NBL22/23 season.)

Rosendale has played in NBL1 South with the Bendigo Braves from 2021 and had a standout season winning the MVP for the 2023 season. He averaged 16.10 points, 3.67 assists, and 4.81 rebounds in 21 games.

Hailing from Echuca, the 22-year-old has played across Victoria to start his basketball career. He represented his hometown from U12's to U18's in country tournaments for Echuca Pirates. He also made the long drives to Metro teams for VJBL in Eltham for U16s and Dandenong for U18s.

Head coach Mike Kelly has seen the hard work Rosendale has put in during off-season training sessions and is excited to add his energy to the roster.

"Luke is a talented young player that has been great over my short time back at SE Melbourne. Luke brings energy and toughness to every session. I'm so happy that Luke's hard work has resulted in this opportunity," said Kelly.

"Mike's been great so far. I've had a lot of great conversations, and I look forward to getting to know him more and learn from him," Rosendale said.

"My goal for this season is to work hard and enough and learn quickly so I'm able to step up and be trusted if or when I'm needed throughout the season."

(Rosendale has played with the Bendigo Braves in NBL1 South since 2021.)

Rosendale joins his fellow development players in Austin Rapp, Anzac Rissetto and Kody Stattmann, along with fully rostered players Ben Ayre, Gary Browne, Mitch Creek, Owen Foxwell, Gorjok Gak, Matt Kenyon, Craig Moller, Reuben Te Rangi, Rhys Vague, and Alan Williams.

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