In The Post – NBL’s game changing “coup”

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

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBL, its Clubs or partners. 

Phoenix’s game changing “coup”

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze says the signing of Zhou Qi is a game changer for the South East Melbourne Phoenix as the Chinese star begins training with his new team.

“It’s a coup that a lot of people don’t yet realise. He’s a legitimate star. He’s been on the national program, the NBA, and he’s a high-profile guy over there,” Gaze told The Age.

“Casual fans wouldn’t be aware of what he has done but it’s another example of a player seeing how this league can provide the exposure and development to get back to the NBA.”

Bairstow Adelaide bound 

The Adelaide 36ers are set to strengthen their roster with the signing of former Chicago Bull Cameron Baristow according to a Newscorp report.

Bairstow, who has previously played with the Brisbane Bullets and Illawarra Hawks, worked out with the 36ers last week and is poised to earn a spot on CJ Bruton’s squad.

Goulding opens up on Warriors workout

Melbourne United star Chris Goulding has opened up on his preseason workout with NBA powerhouse the Golden State Warriors.

“It was an opportunity that I had to take to see what happened. My agent told me there was an opportunity for four or five days in San Francisco. So, when an opportunity like that presents itself, we moved pretty quickly to try and make it happen,” Goulding told Newscorp.

“NBA teams are interesting because they don’t really give you direct feedback, but I spoke to the coaches, and it was great. They said thanks for coming and they were impressed with how I presented myself and played over there. But all the (roster) decisions are made in the front office behind closed doors.”

Cadee’s Big Liu reality check

Jason Cadee has quickly discovered what many NBL opponents will soon learn – trying to defend 7’5 giant Chuanxing Liu is no easy task.

“It was like I was on a video game. Someone threw the ball up to Liu, and I just watched him catch and finish it off at the rim. I just sat there and thought, ‘I can’t get to that’,” Cadee told Newscorp.

“Growing pains” for Cats

The Perth Wildcats are preparing to use the NBL Blitz as a platform to adjust to new coach Scott Morrison according to veteran Jesse Wagstaff.   

“In previous years, the expectation is set and the coach had been here for a while. Everything was known. We’ll probably have growing pains in the first few games but we’ll sort those out. It’s a learning process and that should be expected,” Wagstaff said via The West Australian.

Goorj keen on Jessup return

Illawarra Hawks coach Brian Goorjian is delighted to have Justinian Jessup back with the club, saying he adds a heap of positives on the floor.  

“Having a wing that can shoot the ball, he has good size, he has a year under his belt with the team and knows the city and knows the competition, there's a lot of pluses there,” Goorjian said, via the Illawarra Mercury.