Will Broekhoff Play On? Star on Playing Future

One of the NBL’s biggest names remains without a contract heading into NBL24, and former Dallas Maverick Ryan Broekhoff has admitted continuing his playing career is currently “lowest on the totem pole” in his list of priorities.

Broekhoff, 32, started his professional career in Europe before moving to the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the 2018 season. Following 59 games in the NBA he linked up with the Phoenix in NBL21.

Since his arrival in the competition he has been beset by consistent injury issues, and played just 57 games in the past three seasons – including just 20 in NBL23.

“It’s a little all up in the air at the moment,” Broekhoff told SEN of his playing future.

“The Hoop City where myself and my wife are partnered with Australian basketball great David Andersen, we’re owners of that facility that’s going up so we’ve been busy getting all that together.

“There’s been a little bit going on so my playing has become the lowest on the totem pole of my priorities at the moment.

“Mike (Kelly) has come in and we’ve had a few little chats already … we’re just see what happens.”

After the flurry of free agency activity in the past few weeks, Broekhoff remains as one of the most high-profile free agents still on the board.

His former side has been busy in re-tooling for the upcoming campaign, and have added Matt Kenyon, Gorjok Gak, Rhys Vague and Ben Ayre to the roster for NBL24.

With only Mitch Creek, Alan Williams, Reuben Te Rangi and Owen Foxwell signed on before Kelly took over, the side still has some recruiting to do to round out its roster – including signing two imports to play alongside Williams.

Broekhoff says he’s impressed with the calibre of player coming to the NBL.

“The imports are very important slots to fill, so I know they’re looking around for that,” he said of the Phoenix.

“I think every team is just re-tooling and restocking.

“You look across the board – even at the Next Stars program – players that are coming across, the talent just keeps going up and up for the league.

“I’m excited for the Phoenix and looking forward to the roster they put together. It’s going to be a great season next season.”