In The Post – Tuesday October 19

Catch up on all the latest headlines from around the basketball world in today’s edition of In the Post.

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Exum’s NBL lifeline? 

The South East Melbourne Phoenix have opened the door for part-owner Dante Exum to join the roster, after the Australian Boomers star was waived by the Houston Rockets.

“If and when Dante decides that the NBL is the right move for him, we of course will do whatever we can do to make that as easy for him as possible,” Phoenix GM Tommy Greer said via Newscorp.

Lakers approve Hawks import

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy has approved the signing of Illawarra Hawks import guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes, saying he will be a “great player”.

"Xavier is an NBA talent. He spent two weeks working in our facility and was professional at the highest level. One of the first ones in the gym and always one of the last to leave. He's a student of the game with a dynamic skill set. I think he will be a great player in the NBL," Handy said.

Gaze believes in Hawks

The Illawarra Hawks have what it takes to win their first NBL championship since 2001 according to Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze.

"I think it's right there with the very best of them…based on what they did last year, we expect them to be another legitimate championship contender. I think that they'll be better off for last year because coming in, they'll be a little more acclimatised with the coach and what they're trying to do,” Gaze told the Illawarra Mercury.

How Wildcats persuaded Hodgson 

New Perth Wildcats signing Matt Hodgson has revealed the attention he received from the team in the recruiting process led him to signing out west.

Hodgson was sold after a Zoom interview last week with GM of Basketball Danny Mills, coach Scott Morrison, assistant coach Mike Kelly, CEO Troy Georgiu and owners Craig Hutchison and Richard Simkiss. Players Mitch Norton, Vic Law and Kevin White also touched base with Hodgson.

“I didn’t expect that many people to be involved. It was comprehensive and professional. I really liked that,” Hodgson told The West Australian.

Daniels leans on Delly for advice

Australian rising star and G-League Ignite member Dyson Daniels has revealed he has spoken to Melbourne United star Matthew Dellavedova for advice as he begins his journey to the NBA.

"Matthew Dellavedova's been big for me, I grew up doing some of his camps and things like that and I took the same pathway as he took to get to the NBA through the AIS in Australia…he's been a big mentor, he's done it the hard way and he's given me advice,” Daniels said via Sporting News.