Pride in Defence for Kenyon

Matt Kenyon earned major plaudits for his work on the defensive end in NBL24.

Oft times when the likes of Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding and Jordan Crawford needed stopping, it would be Kenyon’s task to make life hard for the opposition stars.

And by the looks of things, Kenyon wants more defensive challenges moving into the next NBL campaign.

The New South Wales product is at his third franchise but enjoyed his most fruitful patch of his burgeoning career under Mike Kelly at the Phoenix.

 And the two-time Defensive Player of the Year coach in Kelly is now having the same defensive mindset impact on his young guard.

"It's something that I take a lot of pride in playing defence," Kenyon told Phoenix Media.

“I’m never going to slack on the defensive end … I’m ready to help the boys wherever it’s needed.”

Kenyon secured the NBL1 North’s Defensive Player of the Year last season, and looks on track again averaging an astonishing 13.9 points and 13 rebounds so far in the 2024 campaign.

And while the avid surfer and photographer took some much needed time away in Bali after NBL24, his side were busy at work re-shaping the roster, including bringing in former junior national teammate and NBL Champion Angus Glover.

"We did a lot of winning as a junior, so hopefully that translates to the professional side. I'm super excited just to get going with everyone and start pre-season."

“We have a lot of history, Angus and I, and I’m looking forward to being on the court with him again.”

(Kenyon and Glover playing together for Centre of Excellence in 2016.)

Kenyon will re-group with the Phoenix in July to begin pre-season.

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