Phoenix Off-Season Player Wrap

It may be the off-season in the NBL, but it doesn’t mean our players are taking it easy. All of our currently contracted players are fine tuning their skills locally or overseas in preparation for NBL24. 

Let’s take a look at how they’re going. 

Alan Williams – Nagoya Dolphins – Japan B. League

Phoenix big man, Alan Williams has been fitting in well with his team the Nagoya Dolphins while playing in the B.League in Japan. He has played eight games since joining the team mid-way through their season.

“Japan has been great so far, I’m enjoying the style of play. It is very physical, which I love. We have a talented group of imports with Coty Clarke and Scott Eatherton and some really talented Japanese players, a couple of which play on the national team,” Williams told Phoenix Media.

Continuing his domination at both ends of the court, ‘Big Sauce’ has already notched up three double-doubles. He even got the upper hand over Philippines star, Kai Sotto and Hiroshima Dragonflies, winning by two points. 

“Facing Kai in another league was fun. He’s a talented player with a lot of upside and is getting opportunities here that he did not in the NBL and has had some monster games,” he commented.

Williams has averaged 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and three assists so far since joining the team. The Dolphins are currently on a seven-game winning streak and sit fourth on the West District ladder, with under a month left to play in the regular season.

Dolphins 90-88 Hiroshima Dragonflies
Williams: 22p, 14r, 3a, 1 blk

Dolphins 88-82 Fighting Eagles Nagoya
Williams: 11p, 9r, 4a, 2stls, 2blks

Dolphins 94-58 Fighting Eagles Nagoya
Williams: 20p, 11r, 6a, 1stl, 2blks  

Dolphins 76-72 Akita Northern Happinets
Williams: 22p, 7r, 1stl, 2blks

Dolphins 70-61 Akita Northern Happinets
Williams: 5p, 14r, 4a, 1stl

Williams next takes to the court on Wednesday, facing the Sanen Neophoenix.

Mitch Creek – Mets de Guaynabo – BSN 

Mitch Creek has returned to Puerto Rico for the off-season, re-joining point guard Gary Browne as they both play for the Mets de Guaynabo.

“It’s obviously fantastic being back with Gary (Browne). Having a familiar face coming back to a familiar team makes it a whole bunch easier. Just being here from the start is special because we get to start building from the ground up once again, unlike last year where I went in last minute. It’s just nice to be around a group of guys from the start, just like South East, hopefully we can build towards something special again this year,” Creek told Phoenix Media. 

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Their campaign started with a loss before bouncing back and getting a 10-point win over reigning NBL champion Tim Soares' team Grises de Humacao. The pair also faced off against a familiar face from New Zealand Breakers, Dereck Pardon but fell short by five points against his Cangrejeros.

Unfortunately, the Mets’ season hasn’t started how they would have liked with only one win. Creek has started the season where he left off with the Phoenix, as he averages 21.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and one steal.

“Some of the areas I am just trying to work on is just enjoying the game at the moment and staying healthy, staying in shape in the off-season. It’s not about adding anything too new or crazy or different, but just fine-tuning the parts of the game I am already focusing on. Just staying fit and healthy and enjoying basketball while I can,” Creek said. 

(Creek has teamed up with Gary Browne in Puerto Rico.)

Mets 109-99 Grises de Humacao
Creek: 28p, 7r, 4a, 1stl

Mets 103-108 Cangrejeros
Creek: 31p, 7r, 2a

Mets 84-93 Captianes De Arecibo
Creek: 9p, 4r, 3a, 2stls

Mets 74-87 Piratas de Quebradillas
Creek: 20p, 12r, 5a, 1stl, 2blks

Creek hits the court again tomorrow against Grises de Humacao. All Mets games are streamed live on the Mets de Guaynabo YouTube channel.

Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats – NBL1 South  

Freshly signed to the full-roster, Owen Foxwell has remained local this off-season as he re-joins the Eltham Wildcats in NBL1 South.  

Their season started on Saturday, facing the Diamond Valley Eagles. Foxwell jumped back into form by scoring 25 points at 66% and top scoring for the game.  

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Wildcats 87-77 Diamond Valley Eagles
Foxwell: 25p, 3r, 1a, 1stl

The Wildcats have a weekend of rest for Easter, before getting back into it against NW Tasmania on April 15.  

Still to start their seasons in the NZ NBL are Reuben Te Rangi and Anzac Rissetto, which begins on April 6. Check back next week to see how they went in their first game for the season and how the rest of Phoenix’s contracted players are going.

Phoenix Media (03/04/23)