The import primed to be every scorer’s worst nightmare

South East Melbourne’s Jordan Hunter believes one of his new teammates will be in the running for one of the top individual awards during the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season.

During episode one of The Phoenix Files podcast, Hunter, who is entering his second season in the Heartland, said import John Brown III has all the makings of a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

“The life of a big [defensive] general [like John] is trying to kind of cover up other people's mistakes,” two-time NBL champion Hunter said.

“You're like Marcus Smart or Pat Beverley in the way you kind of guard space and make stuff happen on the defensive end, which is really hard to do.

“Having someone out there making everyone’s life easier is unbelievable and if all five people on the court are on the same page, it can be nightmarish for the other team.”

While 33-year-old Brown, who has played in the US, Italy, Russia, Monaco and Serbia during his career, is flattered by the recognition by his teammate, it’s not on his radar for NBL26 - rather having larger ambitions.

“At this point [of my career], I'm not even chasing an award anymore,” the Florida-born Brown said.

“‘[But] that’s not going to stop me from doing my job [on the court].

“I’ve got bigger and better goals for this season [an NBL championship].”

The Phoenix host Cairns at John Cain Arena tips of at 5.30pm AEST on Saturday, broadcast live on ESPN.