Star big man returns for Phoenix

It will be a case of one out, one in for South East Melbourne, as the Phoenix prepare to welcome star import Alan Williams to the court for the first time this season.

Williams has been sidelined since the NBL pre-season due to a knee complaint picked up following an off-season stint in Japan. Tyler Cook initially replaced him on the roster, but has missed the Phoenix’s last two games due to an eye injury.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? TEAM NEWS?<br><br>Guess who is back! Alan Williams returns to the team tomorrow night.<br><br>Unfortunately, Ben Ayre will miss tomorrow’s game with a minor ankle injury and will be replaced by Luke Rosendale. <a href="https://t.co/n3DKoFFzkA">pic.twitter.com/n3DKoFFzkA</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1714400603995271493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The return of Williams to the court has been offset by the loss of Ben Ayre for Thursday’s clash with Adelaide.

Development player Luke Rosendale will replace Ayre in the lineup for the clash.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you ??? <a href="https://t.co/Tnnk8AjPAI">pic.twitter.com/Tnnk8AjPAI</a></p>&mdash; Tyler Cook (@iamtc25) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamtc25/status/1714167760006340972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>