NBL 2023: Latest news and Supercoach advice out of the Australian league
With star big man Alan Williams facing a long stint on the sidelines, South East Melbourne has moved quickly to secure a gun replacement with NBA experience. SUPERCOACH ADVICE
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South East Melbourne has acted swiftly in securing a replacement for injured import Alan Williams with an ex-NBA big man to join the Phoenix.
Former Chicago Bull Tyler Cook, 25, will fill the enormous shoes left by Williams, who faces months on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during a training session last week.
With 203cm, 120kg Williams moved to SEM’s inactive list ahead of surgery on Monday, Cook jetted out of the US on Saturday, and it is hoped he’ll feature at the pre-season NBL Blitz, which tips off Saturday evening.
“I’ve heard plenty about the NBL and I really think that it’s a great opportunity for me and my basketball,” Cook, who plays for Utah Jazz G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars, said.
“As soon as (Phoenix chief executive) Tommy (Greer) got in touch, I was pretty quickly sorting flights out.
“I’m really looking forward to linking up with (coach) Mike (Kelly) and the rest of the squad.
“I’m coming in with the sole focus to get wins.”
Cook, the same height as Williams, is set to play as a similarly undersized five-man with a wide frame at 116kg.
He’ll be leaned on to provide a stopgap for the Phoenix without the NBL’s reigning leading rebounder.
Greer said Williams was a huge loss but the arrival of Cook somewhat softens the blow.
“We are excited to welcome Tyler to the Phoenix family, Greer said.
“A player of his calibre and pedigree will be an amazing cover for Alan, and a great addition for the Phoenix.”
Across three NBA seasons from 2019-22, the Iowa product played 65 games with five franchises, most recently with the Bulls averaging 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds.
SUPERCOACH ADVICE: HOW TO REPLACE SORE SAUCE
Williams ($381,600), right now, is the fourth most popular captain among NBL Supercoaches and, at 14.1 per cent ownership, he is on the top 15 most popular. Expect that to fall in the wake of his injury news.
Perth Next Star Alex Sarr’s ($115,000) brilliant showing against G League Ignite in Las Vegas on Thursday has helped his ownership soar and he will be a popular replacement for Williams. Wildcats teammate Keanu Pinder ($385,900) is the second-most popular centre in the game, but his pre-season has also been interrupted by a groin complaint. There’s hope he will play some minutes in Saturday’s game against Ignite.
Tasmania injury replacement Majok Majok is third at $69,000, with owners banking on teammate Will Magnay to miss more time with his long-term knee complaint. JackJumpers basketball boss Jorrick Chivers said last week Magnay was closing in on a return, but it remains to be seen when.
Teammate Marcus Lee ($288,700) — criminally underowned at just 3.3 per cent — looms as a much better proposition, given he should have the starting role with Magnay out and was a proven performer for Melbourne United last season.
Illawarra rookie Lachlan Olbrich ($69,000) and Melbourne United Next Star Ariel Hukporti ($172,100) are other popular picks, while Adelaide returnee Isaac Humphries ($251,200, 5.7 per cent) and Aron Baynes ($240,300, 6.8 per cent) could prove solid PODs.
SAUCE GROUNDED: PHOENIX STAR FACES SURGERY
Williams took a knock to his left knee during practice earlier this week and subsequent scans revealed the injury would require surgery.
No timeline has been set for Williams’ return, but it’s understood he faces an extended period on the sidelines and is no certainty to be fit for Phoenix’s season-opening clash with cross-town rival Melbourne United on September 28.
Phoenix fitness staff will learn more about the extent of the injury when the surgery is complete.
It’s another hit to new coach Mike Kelly’s preparation, with the likes of Matt Kenyon (foot stress reaction), Gorjok Gak (ankle) and Gary Browne (flu) experiencing interrupted pre-seasons.
“We’ve had a number of guys who haven’t been able to go and this one with Alan, you know, hopefully it’s not too serious, but any time you’re going under the knife, it could be,” Kelly said.
“The first thing is making sure he’s OK. He’s comfortable here so he’ll make the best out of a bad situation.
“For us, from a basketball point of view, Gorjok, Rhys (Vague), (Mitch) Creeky, also Anzac Rissetto’s been really good in our pre-season.
“So we’ll all have to step up and, to get his 12 or 15 rebounds, it’s going to have to be a team thing, for sure.”
In better news for the Phoenix, new arrival Craig Moller is set for his first competitive minutes in 17 months following a long recovery from a serious knee injury suffered in April 2022 while playing in Germany.
He will suit up against Melbourne United on Saturday night at Casey in a pre-season hitout.
Both Kelly and Moller are former United champions — Moller a player and Kelly an assistant to Dean Vickerman during the 2018 run.
There’s a level of excitement in the 29-year-old forward, given the work he’s done to get himself right to return to the court.
“I’ve just been cleared to play some minutes, probably 10, so that will be my first game back and it’s exciting,” Moller said.
“It’s been 17 months. I’m not even worried about the game, to be honest, just getting back out there, getting a bit of the rust out.
“Originally, the plan was (to return at) the (NBL) Blitz so I’m a week ahead.
“(High performance boss) Eric’s (Hollingsworth) ticked it off.
“I’ve been able to get a heap of work in lately on court, so it’s just about getting the feeling back.
“I reckon first touch might be going straight up.”
Kelly’s taking a simplistic approach to the United hitout, given his severely-depleted team fell to Adelaide 101-65 in a practice game last weekend.
“Really I just want to take another step,” Kelly said.
“We’ve been disrupted in pre-season, like everybody, so every day you get out of a session and you feel like you got on the same page more or got a little better, that’s a good day and that’s what I want out of the game.”
South East Melbourne Phoenix squad v Phoenix: Anzac Rissetto, Will Cummings, Ben Ayre, Gary Browne, Rhys Vague, Owen Foxwell, Craig Moller, Mitch Creek, Kody Stattman, Luke Rosendale, Austin Rapp, Kingsley Box (training player) Ngor Nai (training player)
Unavailable: Alan Williams (knee), Gorjok Gak (ankle), Matt Kenyon (foot stress reaction), Reuben Te Rangi (rest after FIBA World Cup)
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