Vodanovich aims to bring winning ways

If the South East Melbourne Phoenix want to build a winning culture, what better way to do it than recruiting proven winners?

The Kings’ back-to-back championship winning squad is not a bad place to start, and alongside Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter and Derrick Walton Jr, the latest recruit to land at the Phoenix fits the bill perfectly.

Tom Vodanovich boasts a 68 per cent winning record across his NBL career and championships at two different teams, most recently with the Tasmania JackJumpers.

He’s not a starter, and he’s not a high-minutes player either – in fact, his production was at its highest in New Zealand in NBL23, with 13.8 minutes a game – but Vodanovich brings energy and he makes every moment matter while he’s on the court.

“My hustle and rebounding, hard work at training and pushing everyone to be better,” the 29-year-old said of what he can bring to the Phoenix.

“… a little bit of championship experience. Those weeks and months in the Finals program always takes a little bit longer and that little bit of edge.”

While the star power comes in the form of Walton Jr, Nathan Sobey and of course Mitch Creek, Vodanovich knows he has a vital role if success is to come to the Heartland.

“Obviously there’s some talent and some experience in the team that I’m looking forward to learning from too, so putting heads together and seeing where we come out should be where I’m helpful,” he said. 

“I’ve been lucky enough to play with some good fours (power forwards) in front of me - Xavier Cooks and the likes - but what Mitch (Creek) has done in his career in this league and outside this league is pretty incredible.

“To learn from him and challenge him to be better each day at training, it’s exciting.”

South East Melbourne last played in the Finals in NBL23, losing a Play-In Qualifier to the Perth Wildcats.

They finished the most recent season in last place on the standings, prompting significant change in their roster, with just four players returning for NBL25.