Off-Season Player Wrap: Hunter Claims Double-Double in Game One of Semi-Final
Written By
Kadek Thatcher for Phoenix Media
Cover Image via Rigas Zelli
See below for how our Phoenix-rostered players are faring locally and internationally.
Jordan Hunter – Rigas Zelli – (Latvian Basketball League)
17PTS, 13REBS, 4BLKS vs BK Ventspils
Jordi Hunter and Rigas Zelli took on BK Ventspils in game one of the semi-finals.
Hunter was massive, notching a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the 100-97 win. Game two takes place on Tuesday as they look to make it 2-0.
Slamming it down 🔥 @jordihunter1
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) April 26, 2024
Jordi and @RigasZelli are up 1-0 in the semi-final. 🙌 https://t.co/slsZgh9nFn
Mitch Creek – Xinjiang Flying Tigers (CBA)
4PTS vs Guangzhou
9PTS, 1REBS vs Guangzhou
Mitch Creek and Xinjiang continued their quarter-final campaign against Guangzhou last week. Xinjiang was up 2-0 before Guangzhou fought back, taking an 83-105 win and making the series 2-1.
In game four, Creek assisted his side's fight back, winning the series 3-1 and advancing to the semi-finals with a 93-71 win. In the limited minutes on the court, due to the ruling of one import on the court per quarter, Creek had nine points and one rebound in game four.
Nathan Sobey – Ipswich Force (NBL1 North)
30PTS, 4ASTS, 5REBS, 2STLS vs Brisbane Capitals
4PTS, 2ASTS, 5REBS, 1STLS vs South West Metro Pirates
In back-to-back games for Nathan Sobey across the Anzac Day Round for NBL1, Ipswich Force went 1-1 in two close-finishing games.
On Friday night, Sobey scored a game-high 30 points in the 96-94 win over the Brisbane Capitals.
Following up on Saturday, trialling most of the game against the South West Metro Pirates, a last-quarter scoring push of 33-20 wasn't enough for Sobey's side, going down by a single point, 92-93.
Ben Ayre – Wellington Saints (NZNBL)
22PTS, 4ASTS, 5REB, 1STLS vs Hawkes Bay Hawks
Ben Ayre and the Wellington Saints returned to the top of the New Zealand NBL's ladder after a 111-104 win over the Hawkes Bay Hawks on Anzac Day.
Ayre was influential in the win, scoring 22 points and five rebounds.
Ben Ayre steps back and drills it! 🔥#SalsNBL #RatedE @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/ipkQ77jbiy
— Sal’s NBL (@nznbl) April 25, 2024
Matt Kenyon – North Gold Coast Seahawks (NBL1 North)
19PTS, 3ASTS, 7REBS, 3STL vs Logan Thunder
The Seahawks fought against the third-placed Logan Thunder, losing 75-84 on the weekend.
Kenyon fell short of collecting another double-double but was still dominant in the loss, recording 19 points and seven rebounds.
(Kenyon taking flight for the North Gold Coast Seahawks. Photo Credit: Paul Shaw – P2DK Photography )
Owen Foxwell – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
21PTS, 3ASTS, 6REBS, 1STL, 1BLK vs Melbourne Tigers
Starting first on the ladder in NBL1 South at the start of the round, Eltham Wildcats unfortunately went down 81-89 to a fiery Melbourne Tigers on Saturday night.
Despite the loss, Foxwell still racked up big numbers with 21 points and six rebounds.
(Foxwell in action for Eltham Wildcats.)
Angus Glover – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
4PTS, 5ASTS, 2REBS vs Melbourne Tigers
After a stellar start to the season for Eltham Wildcats, Glover was kept quiet throughout the game, only to four points, but still produced the dimes for his teammates with five assists in the loss to Melbourne Tigers.
Gary Browne – Mets de Guaynabo (BSN)
9PTS, 7ASTS, 6REBS, 1STLS vs San German
After 97 days since he last hit the court, Gary Browne returned to the court for his hometown side, Mets de Guaynabo, on the weekend.
The team was already 6-1 before Browne suited up and continued its winning ways in the 102-92 win over San German. In his return, Browne produced nine points and seven assists.
Luke Rosendale – Ballarat Miners (NBL1 South)
15PTS, 4ASTS, 3REBS, 1STLS vs NW Tasmania
11PTS, 2ASTS, 3REBS, 1STL, 1BLK vs Hobart Chargers
In their trip to the Apple Isle to take on the Tasmanian teams, the Ballarat Miners went 1-1 across the weekend.
On Friday night, the Miners fell short to the NW Tasmania, 95-98. Rosendale bounced back after last week's quiet game with 15 points. Following it up on Saturday, the Miners bounced back in their 88-79 win over the Hobart Chargers as Rosendale continued his fine form in Tasmania with 11 points.
(Rosendale in action for Ballarat. PHOTO CREDIT: Therese Heland)
Reuben Te Rangi – Auckland Tuatara (NZNBL)
12PTS, 3ASTS, 1REBS vs Franklin Bulls
5PTS, 3ASTS, 5REBS vs Manawatu Jets
Reuben Te Rangi's Auckland Tuatara went 2-0 in their back-to-back games in round 5 of the NZ NBL.
Starting the round on Wednesday night, they had a significant 92-74 win over the Franklin Bulls. Then back on the court on Sunday to take a 98-79 victory over the Manawatu Jets.
The two wins see Auckland rise from fourth to third on the ladder.
Stay tuned via Phoenix socials to keep updated with players' performances during the off-season.
For a list of the latest roster updates, see below.
Under Contract
Ben Ayre
Mitch Creek
Owen Foxwell
Angus Glover
Jordan Hunter
Matt Kenyon
Nathan Sobey
Free Agents
Gary Browne
Craig Moller
Abdel Nader
Anzac Rissetto
Luke Rosendale
Kody Stattmann
Reuben Te Rangi
Alan Williams
Rhys Vague
Off-Season Moves
Gorjok Gak (Tasmania)
Austin Rapp (Portland Pilots)
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