In The Post – Wildcats import intrigue grows

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

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Brown still training with Wildcats

John Brown is still training with the Wildcats, despite the deadline passing for Perth’s potential new import to play enough games to qualify for finals.

“He’s been in town for a while. Everyone knows that. The club is working through some things behind the scenes…apart from that we don’t know much. It’s great to have him here. To have him out here training with the club regardless of whether he is going to move forward with the club or not is great for us,” Wildcat Kevin White said via The West Australian.

Magnay season in doubt? 

Tasmania JackJumpers assistant coach Jacob Chance hasn’t confirmed if star centre Will Magnay will return from a knee injury this season.

“That's too hard to call at the moment, we're hoping he will but we've got three or four weeks left and there's a period of him having to build back up and get moving. He's doing that now but we're certainly not going to rush him…we're just going to take it day-by-day,” Chance said via The Advocate.

Broekhoff could return early 

South East Melbourne Phoenix star Ryan Broekhoff could return early from his shoulder injury, with next Thursday’s Throwdown against United a possible return date.

“It’s a possibility, yeah. It’s still eight days away, the rehab’s been going really well,” Broekhoff said via Newscorp.

Adams sees himself in Sydney again 

Kings superstar Jaylen Adams would be open to returning to Sydney if he doesn’t land a contract in the NBA.

“I don’t know what my best option will be at the end of the season yet, but I love Sydney. It’s a beautiful place and it’s definitely something that I could see myself doing again,” Adams told Newscorp’s Logue Down podcast.

Cleveland to return to NBA? 

Newscorp basketball writer Matt Logue has reported Illawarra Hawks star Antonius Cleveland “has caught the eye of NBA scouts and is a legitimate chance to return to the league”.

Kenyon should be in DPOY talks

JackJumpers assistant coach Jacob Chance says Tasmania guard Matt Kenyon should be in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year.

“We're thrilled to have him here and he's done an unbelievable job of setting the tone for us defensively each night and I'm shocked he's not talked about more. We've got the second best defence in the league and defensive player of the year talks - he should certainly be there,” Chance said via The Advocate.

Buzz around Hawks

Illawarra coach Brian Goorjian has revealed the Hawks’ recent hot streak has created a positive vibe amongst the team.

“There's a buzz about the group and I think there's a belief that we can do it,” Goorjian said.

Inger taking opportunity

Cairns development player Brayden Inger has stepped up amid a slew of injuries at the Taipans.

“With injuries and adversity comes opportunity, and Brayden was great to be able to capitalise on that,” coach Adam Forde said via the Cairns Post.

Phoenix defensive issues mindset based

South East Melbourne Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell has narrowed the club’s defensive issues down to a mindset.

“It's about a mindset. It's not about waiting to get beaten and then react, it's about preparing ourselves mentally and physically and being willing to give up our body,” Mitchell told ESPN.