SAFE AND SECURE AS PHOENIX LAND BOOMER
South East Melbourne Phoenix has pulled off a coup with the signature of Boomers and NBA swingman Ryan Broekhoff on a one-year deal.
In one of the biggest signings in NBL history, Broekhoff will add significant strike to the Phoenix with his experience and potent three-point shooting. The ex-Philadelphia and Dallas shooting guard is expected to fly to Australia from Michigan in the US this week.
Broekhoff will be coming in as a nominated replacement player under the NBL rules and it is expected that he will take the position of big man Mike Karena in the active roster when he arrives.
Before taking the court, he must complete a 14-day quarantine upon arrival, but Phoenix officials remain hopeful that he will debut at the back end of the inaugural NBL Cup in Melbourne, which starts on Saturday.
Broekhoff’s preference was to remain in the NBA or go to Europe, but with no deal and coronavirus cases still surging in the US, a return to Australia with South East Melbourne was the most logical fit for the boy from Frankston.
“(It is big) to come home with such low cases in Australia and to have my family feel safe and be able to get out of the house, which I feel like we’ve been stuck in forever,” said Broekhoff, who will be the 16th former NBA player in the NBL season.
“It’s been ongoing communication with the Phoenix, and the timing and everything just seems to fit this year.”
The 30-year-old aims to perform at a high level in the NBL following his previous strong performances in the NBA and with Australia at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics.