Phoenix Announce NBL21 Roster

South East Melbourne Phoenix’s assault on the NBL21 title has stepped up a gear with the completion of their playing roster.

American imports Keifer Sykes and Ben Moore join Australian Boomers Mitch Creek, Cam Gliddon and Kyle Adnam in a dangerous and versatile Phoenix line-up.

Rising Kiwi big man Yanni Wetzell, Tall Blacks stars Reuben Te Rangi, two-time NBL champion Adam Gibson, sharpshooter Kendall Stephens, and defensive weapon Dane Pineau round out the new-look roster.

Development players Tristan Forsyth and Izayah Le’afa will also feature for the team during the year.

Mitch Creek – Power Forward/Small Forward

Creek is one of the premier players in the NBL and a dominant force at either forward position. He is a Phoenix co-captain, regular Australian Boomer representative and has played for Brooklyn and Minnesota in the NBA. NBL21 will be his second year at the club.

Ben Moore – Power Forward/Centre

Moore is an American big man who enters his first season in the NBL with lofty expectations. The Chicago native played college hoops at Southern Methodist University before spending the last three seasons splitting time between the NBA and NBA G-League teams of San Antonio and Indiana. NBL21 will be his first year at the Phoenix.

Keifer Sykes – Point Guard

Sykes is an excitement machine at the point guard position and an elite scorer from all areas of the floor. Despite standing at 5’11 (180cm), Sykes is known to throw down highlight dunks and make the impossible look easy. The Chicago native had a stellar college career at Green Bay, played for three NBA teams in the Summer League, and competed in the EuroLeague. Sykes also has his own Amazon Prime documentary, ‘Chi-Town’.

Kyle Adnam – Point Guard

Adnam is a fan favourite wherever he plays, bringing energy and skill off the bench at the point guard position. He grew up in South East Melbourne and played for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and the Hawks before moving to his hometown club at the Phoenix. Adnam is a co-captain of the club and is entering his second season as a member of the Phoenix.

Cam Gliddon – Shooting Guard/Small Forward  

Gliddon joins the Phoenix with a lofty reputation in the NBL following successful periods at Cairns and Brisbane. The deadeye shooting guard represented Australia in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and joined the Phoenix to play as one of the team’s main scoring threats. Gliddon is entering his first year at the club.

Yanni Wetzell – Centre/Power Forward

Wetzell is a big man out of San Diego State University. The New Zealander finished his college career last season as a highly sought-after NBL talent after starting at centre on the 30-2 San Diego State team. Wetzell is a threat on both ends of the floor and will be a major presence on the glass in his first season at the Phoenix.

Reuben Te Rangi – Small Forward/Power Forward

Te Rangi is a two-time NBL champion with the New Zealand Breakers and a NBL Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player winner with the Brisbane Bullets. The Tall Blacks star was dubbed a ‘swiss army knife’ by Head Coach Simon Mitchell for his size, versatility and broad skillset allowing him to play a variety of roles. Te Rangi will feature in both forward spots in his first season at the Phoenix.

Adam Gibson – Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Gibson is a NBL-veteran and well respected player across the country. The guard is a two-time NBL champion, NBL Best Defensive Player of the Year and a 2012 Olympian. Gibson is a Phoenix co-captain and provides valuable leadership on and off the court. NBL21 will be his second year at the club.

Dane Pineau – Centre

Pineau enjoyed a breakout season last year as starting centre on the Phoenix, earning nominations for the NBL Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards. The big man is a defensive force and strong rebounder who started his NBL career learning behind Andrew Bogut in Sydney before moving to the Phoenix. NBL21 will be his second season at the club. 

(Phoenix big man Dane Pineau is battling a back injury and will miss likely first month of the season. His status will be assessed prior to the Hub.)

Kendall Stephens – Small Forward/Shooting Guard  

Stephens grew up in Chicago and played college basketball at Purdue and Nevada, breaking the Nevada single-season record for three-pointers made. He is considered a local player as he was born in Geelong when his father, Everette Stephens, was playing for the Geelong Supercats. Stephens is a deadly three-point shooter as either a guard or forward and will enter his second season at the club in NBL21.

Izayah Le’afa – Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Le’afa joined the Phoenix as a development player after playing as the starting point guard for the Sacramento State Hornets. The New Zealander will provide guard depth for the Phoenix.

Tristan Forsyth – Centre/Power Forward

Forsyth is a South East Melbourne local and joined the Phoenix as a development player following time at college and NBL1 level. The big man will provide size, energy and the ability to stretch the floor when called upon.

Phoenix Media