Phoenix Confident on Final Roster Spots

Monday, August 8, 2022

Tommy Greer says his side has clear targets in mind for the team's two remaining spots.

By Dan Woods - NBL Media

With last week’s addition of former Phoenix Sun Alan Williams to their roster, the South East Melbourne Phoenix have just two remaining roster spots for the upcoming season – both reserved for Australian players.

As we approach the NBL Blitz, to be held in Darwin this year, teams are scrambling to finalise their rosters ahead of the new campaign.

Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer says his side has clear targets in mind for the team's two remaining spots.

“We’re nearly done. We’ve got two local positions to go which will likely be a backup position behind Mitch Creek and then potentially another Australian five,” Greer told SEN.

“We’re not far from complete. The guys are starting to arrive into town and we’ve got our international roster sorted so all of our imports will be landing into town reasonably soon to kick things off for the new season.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CREEKY ? BIG SAUCE ?<br><br>Alan Williams will be reunited with his old NBA G League teammate, Mitch Creek in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <a href="https://t.co/H2D7MegLbs">pic.twitter.com/H2D7MegLbs</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1555382874089848833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One thing missing from South East Melbourne’s roster - an NBL Next Star.

The Next Stars program played a crucial role in former New Zealand pair Ousmane Dieng and Hugo Besson being selected in the most recent NBA Draft, with previous success stories RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball already plying their trade in the United States.

With the recent revelation that high school talent Bronny James is considering the NBL as a potential destination, Greer says any young international talent should consider Australia as the perfect stepping stone for their career.

“The program the NBL has developed over the last couple of years is one that’s now been proven,” Greer added.

“It’s something that’s really attractive to young talent who want to have an opportunity to display their talents in a league that’s going to provide them with exposure and give them a chance to lift their draft stock.

“I think it’s an incredible opportunity for any young talent that’s looking to get to the NBA.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a>? ?<br><br>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/joevardon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joevardon</a>, Australia could be a potential landing spot for Bronny James next year.<br><br>More at <a href="https://t.co/CawVeifcWe">https://t.co/CawVeifcWe</a> <a href="https://t.co/p9nk0Ua6hC">pic.twitter.com/p9nk0Ua6hC</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1555342330957565953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>