Where Phoenix Players Are Playing In The Off-Season

The NBL23 season may be over for South East Melbourne Phoenix but you can still keep on eye on your favourite Phoenix players this off-season.

With some players jetting off home to rest and recover from the NBL season, many have their full focus on building into the next NBL campaign by continuing to play through the break. 

Below are the players who are using the off-season as a chance to play for another team and keep building on their skills and fitness ready for a big NBL24.

(This is the second time Kyle Adnam has been selected to represent Australia and play in the Boomers squad.)

Kyle Adnam – Australian Boomers (National Team)

Kyle Adnam was announced a couple of weeks ago that he was selected for the Boomer’s squad for the final FIBA World Cup Qualifier window which started last week with the Boomer’s beating Bahrain and Kazakhstan at the State Basketball Centre.

Adnam scored five points, two rebounds and five assists in 15 minutes for the Boomers, starting on the bench for the clash in Thursday night's 32 point win over Bahrain.

In Sunday's 45 point win over Kazakhstan, Adnam came off the bench and had a 20 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal game in 17 minutes.

Adnam told Phoenix Media what it meant to him to be selected for this week’s games.

“It’s an amazing feeling. When you are kid you write on a piece of paper your goals and playing for Australia was always at the top of mine and I was able to achieve that before, but to be able to do it multiple times, I am proud of myself to be able to sustain that sort of success over a long period of time. That’s always difficult and requires a lot of dedication. I’m just really proud and to be able to do it in Melbourne with my family, I think that’s going to be a really special moment,” Adam said.

(Mitch Creek will head back over to Puerto Rico to play for Mets de Guaynabo this off-season.)

Mitch Creek – Mets de Guaynabo (BSN)

Following a career-best season in the NBL, All-NBL First Team player and league MVP Finalist Mitch Creek will fly internationally to play in Puerto Rico and re-join the Mets de Guaynabo roster in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional where he played during last year’s NBL off-season.

Creek averaged 23.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.9 APG and 50% from the field in NBL23 and spoke to Phoenix Media about continuing to work on his game during the NBL break. 

“I'll take the individual season and build on that, clean up the gap between my best and worst and try to shorten that even more and hopefully a bigger and better season next year,” said Creek.

“Heading over to Puerto Rico to play with Guaynabo Mets. Played there last season, had an amazing experience there. Just looking forward to going away and relaxing,” he said.

Creek is likely to play alongside Phoenix import point guard Gary Browne who’s playing rights were recently acquired by the Mets. Phoenix fans can stream the Mets de Guaynabo games on YouTube once their season commences.

(Reuben Te Rangi will again suit up for the Tall Blacks during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.)

Reuben Te Rangi - Tall Blacks (National Team)

Reuben Te Rangi was selected to play in the Tall Blacks squad for his home country New Zealand in the FIBA World Cup. The Tall Blacks played their first game on Friday night in their home country against Saudi Arabia at Christchurch Arena where the Tall Balcks took a 110-63 win. Te Rangi had a dominate first game with 17 points, two rebounds, and five assists in 18 minutes on court. 

The Tall Blacks play their second match in the FIBA window against Lebanon on tonight in Wellington.

Reuben had a solid season for the Phoenix in the NBL this year playing a number of roles for the team throughout the season due to injuries to key starters. Known for his defensive game, Te Rangi built nicely into more of a scoring role as the season progressed.

Dane Pineau – Sandringham Sabres (NBL1 South)

Pineau will stay local for the off-season, joining the Sandringham Sabres in the NBL1 South. 

Pineau played for the Diamond Valley Eagles last NBL1 season where he averaged 13.3 points, 1.3 assists, 10.3 rebounds and 61% from the field.

Having overcome his injury woes of the past couple of seasons, Pineau had a solid season for the Phoenix, playing every game for the season and being a good contributor while on the floor.

Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)

Foxwell had a breakout season in his second development year at the Phoenix. His stand-out game for the NBL23 season happened in round 11 in Gippsland where he had two pivotal defensive acts and knocked down a crucial three to assist his team to the one-point win in double overtime over the Kings.

Foxwell will re-join Eltham Wildcats in NBL1 South in the off-season where he averaged 14.8 points, three assists and 3.6 rebounds as he takes the next steps towards NBL24. 

Foxwell was also added late to the Boomers squad as a training player for last week’s camp in a big step for the youngster.

Junior Madut – North Basketball Bears (NBL1 East)

Madut had his first season in professional basketball after college in Hawaii in NBL23. He got his first taste early, starting in multiple games due to injuries in the Phoenix roster and had an impressive game in round 2 against the Hawks where he scored 21 points and recorded seven rebounds.

Madut will travel to his home-state of New South Wales to play for the North Basketball Bears in the NBL1 East competition as he continues his progress towards NBL24.

(Tohi Smith-Milner has been selected to play for the New Zealand Tall Blacks during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.)

Anzac Rissetto – Taranki Airs (NZNBL)

Rissetto quickly became a fan favourite for his energy in his first season in the NBL as a development player. He got his first taste of NBL game time and his first points in round 8 against the Hawks where he received a big cheer when he hit the court. 

He will travel back home to New Zealand to play for the North Island team Taranaki Airs in the New Zealand NBL as he continues to build towards NBL24.

Tohi Smith-Milner – Tall Blacks (National Team) Wellington Saints (NZNBL)

Tohi Smith-Milner was also selected to play for his home country during the FIBA window. Smith-Milner will line-up for the Tall Blacks alongside Phoenix teammate Reuben Te Rangi.

In the win against Saudi Arabia, Smith-Milner scored 14 points, four rebounds, and two blocks in 10 minutes.

Smith-Milner trained with the Phoenix for the entire NBL23 pre-season before being signed as a NRP for Zhou Qi who went back to China for family reasons. Smith-Milner was a solid contributor when he hit the court, often scoring and making defensive plays, proving he can match it with the best in the NBL when given the opportunity.

He will return to his home-country league the NZNBL during the off-season, playing for the Wellington Saints after having a stint in the NBL1 last year with the Sandringham Sabres.

Keep an eye via Phoenix Website and Socials for updates on where more of the boys will be playing and how they are tracking during the off-season.

Phoenix Media (27/2/23)