Local Talent Priority One for Coach Kelly

Friday, April 7, 2023

With a new coach at the helm and just five players currently rostered for NBL24, the NBL is preparing for a new look South East Melbourne Phoenix side to take to the floor in the upcoming season.

Mitch Creek, Alan Williams, Reuben Te Rangi, Owen Foxwell and development player Anzac Rissetto are the quintet of players that are currently locked in to represent the Phoenix next season – but despite having two import spots left to fill, head coach Mike Kelly says the side is currently focusing on local talent.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">????? ???? ????? has arrived in the ?????????! ?<br><br>He spoke to Phoenix Media on what the plan is for Free Agency. ? <a href="https://t.co/S2oID4ZoBW">pic.twitter.com/S2oID4ZoBW</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1643447414689529857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We are definitely going after the best locals we can right now – Australians and New Zealand players,” Kelly said.

“We have one import in Alan Williams, so it’s nice to have that locked away. [He’s] a really high-quality person and player.

“Once we have filled in the locals, then we will go after those import spots.”

The all-around scoring prowess of Creek, the inside strength of Williams and the three-point shooting of Te Rangi and Foxwell has given the Phoenix a solid platform on which to build out its offensive weapons, but Kelly says he is focusing on recruiting for the defensive side of the floor.

South East Melbourne ranked sixth in the regular season for points allowed in NBL23, and gave up an average of 89.7 points per game.

New Zealand topped that particular ranking with an average score allowed of just 80.2 points per game, while only the Wildcats, Hawks, 36ers and Bullets allowed a higher average score than the Phoenix.

“Some defensive intensity and some toughness I think is going to hopefully run throughout the group,” Kelly said.

“We have some great players on the team already – led by Mitch Creek and Alan Williams.”

The Phoenix have been quiet in NBL Free Agency so far but have been linked with the likes of out of contract local talents Luke Travers and Bul Kuol, and former Perth Wildcat Rhys Vague.