Taking flight: Iwundu eyes immediate impact

The South East Melbourne Phoenix, who have made a strong start to the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season, are hoping to get an added boost during their two Round 5 fixtures.

Newly signed import Wes Iwundu, who has spent time with the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks in the NBA across 236 games, will land in Australia in the coming days and is hoping to make his NBL debut this round.

“I’ve done pretty well to try to prepare myself as much as [I can] to get adjusted for [this opportunity] in Australia,” Iwundu said in a club interview.

“I plan on playing on Thursday or the Saturday game, either way it goes, I'm sure coach (Josh) King and the staff will have a good plan to kind of get me fitted into the system and to the style.

“Coach King, who I was familiar with from the German BBL League, knows my game and I trust him to put me in the right position to be successful in this league.”

Ahead of his debut, the 30-year-old Texas native, who was impressed with his teammates’ fight in Sunday’s comeback win over New Zealand, is excited to test himself in a league he compared to the NBA.

“I’ve heard, honestly, nothing but good things [about the NBL],” Iwundu said.

“It’s a very physical, fast-paced league and a similar style of play to the NBA here back home.

“I’m very excited to play some fun basketball, which, first and foremost, starts on the defensive end for me.

“My impact is so much felt on that side of the ball, but with that being said, I also have a nice offensive game, which, in the right situation, I think I can blossom.

“I really [want] to expand my playmaking, scoring the basketball, and just getting everybody involved.

“I've been playing for over eight years professionally after college, in a lot of different roles, [so I’m excited] to just put it all together.”

South East Melbourne's Round 5 road fixture with Adelaide tips off at 7.30pm AEDT on Thursday, live on ESPN.