NBL news: Melbourne United turns heat on Jordan Caroline, Rayjon Tucker

Melbourne United has turned the heat on two of its star imports as the club looks to ignite its campaign during a tough road trip west.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has told struggling import Jordan Caroline his side needs more from its Illinois energiser.

And Vickerman said he’d “challenged” former NBA guard Rayjon Tucker after an inauspicious start to his time in the NBL.

Vickerman praised Caroline for his “unbelievable” effort, but said the 26-year-old had admitted he needed to up his output.

It comes as NBL legend Shane Heal said the season-ending injury to centre Ariel Hukporti had put Caroline’s position in jeopardy.

“Obviously, he feels like he hasn’t contributed enough to this group right now,” Vickerman said ahead of United’s Perth road trip.

“We look at our statistics and numbers and Catapult (GPS) measure and he’s one of our hardest workers.

“He just hasn’t quite been rewarded with putting the ball in the hole or (executing) decisions that we need him to make.

“We congratulated him for those things in the effort and we talk about the skill areas where we think he’s going to have more advantages.

“He has the ability to play both four and five and I think we’ll see that in this game as well.”

Jordan Caroline.

Rayjon Tucker.

The Wildcats inside the RAC Arena cauldron is one of the toughest asks in hoops, but Vickerman says he’s expecting a boost from Tucker, who has also struggled to find his feet in the early going.

“We talked about how he was going and the things that we recruited him for,” Vickerman said.

“He’s shown us the rebounding, he led us in assists last game (and) certainly we think there’s a higher level of scorer in him.

“He’s been challenged this week and I think we’ll see a great response.”

United faces Bryce Cotton without their main stopper in Shea Ili, who is still feeling the effects of concussion, but Vickerman says imports Tucker and Xavier Rathan-Mayes will tag the NBL all-timer.

Under new coach John Rillie, the Wildcats use shooting big men Brady Manek and Jesse Wagstaff to spread the floor on offense, combined with an aggressive defence that attempts to force the ball out of the hands of opponents’ primary initiators.

Vickerman says communication has been a key focus among his new “quiet” group that has lost vocal leaders Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Jack White and Matthew Dellavedova.

“The general nature of a lot of this group is that they’re a little bit reserved and there’s not a lot of peacocks in our group who are really out there

“But it can’t be like that, it can’t be on the floor that we see people not communicate with their teammates — it’s a form of not helping your teammate.

“We’re really demanding we get more from everybody in their ability to help each other with their communication.”

PHOENIX TO UNLEASH SEVEN-FOOT CHINESE STAR

Matt Logue

Seven-foot Chinese superstar Zhou Qi will be parachuted in to resurrect the South East Melbourne Phoenix’s season for Saturday’s must-win clash against the New Zealand Breakers.

Asia’s best player arrived in Melbourne on Monday and went straight to work preparing his body and mind for his second season with the Phoenix.

The timing of Zhou’s return is perfect for a struggling South East Melbourne side that has opened the season with two losses and one win.

The Phoenix have battled without a host of injured stars, including ex-Boomer Ryan Broekhoff (hamstring) and imports Trey Kell (rib) and Gary Browne (knee).

Broekhoff and Kell are hoping to play against the Breakers on Saturday, but Browne is expected to sit on the sidelines for another week.

"𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲." 💚@officialzhouqi re-joins the team for practice less than 24 hours after arriving back in Melbourne.

🎟 Tickets for Saturday's game ➡️ https://t.co/8p9UgBx9XFpic.twitter.com/MFGaKSEhYv

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) October 11, 2022

Zhou confirmed himself a certain starter to take on New Zealand at John Cain Arena.

“Yeah, I think I will (play),” Zhou said.

“That is why I’ve come back a few days early just to jump on the court with the boys and make some chemistry happen.”

Zhou averaged 11.63 points, 6.63 rebounds and 2.04 blocks in his first season at South East Melbourne.

He provided the Phoenix with a valuable presence in the paint, although he did struggle defending the three-ball last season.

Zhou also had a running battle with the referees.

Australia's Jack White (front) drives past China's Zhou Qi during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 qualifying game between Australia and China in Melbourne on June 30, 2022.

He averaged 2.5 fouls a game and had four fouls in six of his 24 games, but he was never fouled out.

There is still significant upside for China’s premier player, especially with his size and impressive 2.33m wingspan.

These God-given assets give Zhou confidence that he can help the Phoenix achieve success in NBL23.

“I’m very excited to come back and join the team again,” he said.

“Hopefully, we’ll make something happen this season.

“I’ve watched the last few games that the guys have played and I’m looking forward to meeting the new guys and jumping on the court with them.”

It comes as South East Melbourne officials have already expressed a desire to keep Zhou at the club long-term.

The Chinese big man is currently on a one-year deal, but the Phoenix are keen to see him stay in the NBL for an extended period.

Seven-foot Chinese superstar Zhou Qi at South East Melbourne Phoenix training. Photo: SEM Media

Zhou has been ratings bonanza for the South East Melbourne franchise, particularly within the Chinese community.

A post announcing his recruitment last September was posted on multiple Chinese social media platforms.

One reached more than 480 million people — 15.5 million of whom engaged with it.

Another post reached 15 million while he helped the Phoenix increase its average views on the club’s YouTube channel by a whopping 350 per cent.

Originally published as NBL news: Melbourne United turns heat on Jordan Caroline, Rayjon Tucker