Free Agency Analysis: Ben Moore to South East Melbourne

NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria continues his look at each and every signing, breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21. 

Signed by: South East Melbourne Phoenix

The deal: One year

Age: 25

2019-20 team: Fort Wayne Mad Ants

2019-20 stats (per game): 13.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 56.6 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 74.6 FT%

Projected role: Starting big.

Quote: “To land an NBA-level talent who is entering the prime of his career is a really exciting prospect for our team and our organisation. We feel Ben fits what we want to represent on and off the court with his team-first attitude and dogged competitiveness. He’ll be a huge addition to our club.” – Tommy Greer (SEM Phoenix CEO)

My take: South East Melbourne needed a versatile big to round out their frontcourt and that’s exactly what they’ve found in this highly-regarded import.

At 6’8, Moore initially appears a little undersized to play the five but he’s shown at both the college and pro levels that he can play impactful minutes as a small-ball centre. In fact, I expect Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell to use him in that role pretty regularly, sliding him between the four and the five like Mike Kelly did with Cam Oliver in Cairns last season.

Moore is quick, long and plays with great energy at both ends of the floor. He’s also wiry strong and possesses elite defensive instincts, making him effective at both defending bigs and switching onto guards on the perimeter.

Offensively, I expect him to be much less flashy than a guy like Oliver. Sure, he’ll have a few throwdowns but the majority of his impact will be made below the rim, where he’s likely to be a match-up problem for opposition bigs. Moore’s enormous motor, tenacity on the glass and ability to make plays off the bounce will make him a handful for bigger, slower defenders. In fact, I actually see shades of a guy like Shawn Redhage in his offensive game – the kind of versatile big who may look a little unorthodox at times but will average double-figure points and a couple of dimes without having a single play run for him.

While we’re making comparisons, let’s throw out another one. Because, in a way, this signing kind of reminds me of Sydney’s recruitment of Jae’Sean Tate last year. Like Tate, Moore may be a little undersized for position but he’s likely to make up for that with energy, activity, basketball IQ and ability to quickly assimilate into a group. Also like Tate, Moore’s former coaches and teammates rave about him – something that’s always a really good sign. Interestingly, the two share the same player reps and Moore is looking to replicate the kind of success Tate was able to have Down Under last year. Let’s be honest, if he can have anywhere near that level of impact, SEM will have knocked this signing over the fence.