NBA stars Zach Randolph, Josh Childress and Al Harrington buy into NBL’s South East Melbourne Phoenix

Three NBA stars have thrown their weight behind NBL debutant South East Melbourne Phoenix

Al Harrington during his time with the Sydney Kings. Photo by DAMIAN SHAW

For the second week in a row, massive basketball news came out of Melbourne’s south-east with the announcement that three National Basketball Association stars — Zach Randolph, Josh Childress and Al Harrington — have purchased an ownership stake in Australia’s National Basketball League debutant South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The three players will all bring extensive NBA experience to the club with Childress and Harrington also spending time playing in the NBL. The trio will attend Phoenix games during the season as well as supporting the Wantirna-based club through a range of initiatives.​

The news comes just a week after it was announced Jayco caravan king Gerry Harvey would take over the Dandenong Rangers Women’s National Basketball League licence previously held by the Dandenong Basketball Association.​

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Adelaide 36ers‘ Josh Childress goes to the basket against Melbourne United. Picture SARAH REED

Randolph was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2001 and spent 18 years at five NBA clubs, most recently the Sacramento Kings.​

Childress had eight seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets before spending time with the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers.​

Harrington started with the Indiana Pacers and played 981 NBA games across 16 seasons before a stint with the Sydney Kings.​

The Phoenix franchise was born just last year and will make its debut in the 2019/20 season.​

Owned by Romie Chaudari, a part owner of soccer club Swansea City in the English Championship, the club’s administration will be based at Wantirna South’s State Basketball Centre. Tommy Greer was appointed general manager with Simon Mitchell the inaugural coach.​

Mitchell was thrilled at the experience the trio will bring to the club.​

“It’s going to be really good,” he said. “Their experience in the NBA and their connection to people in the NBA, it’s going to be amazing for us and our growth.​

“One of the big things in basketball internationally is getting in front of the right people. They’ll be able to open those doors for us when it comes to meeting the right players.”​

Wantirna-based South East Melbourne Phoenix are the new kids on the block

Chaudhari was also delighted with the experienced trio’s support of the franchise.​

“We are thrilled to welcome Zach, Josh and Al to the Phoenix family. I have worked with them all in various capacities in the past and they all have the type of qualities I would want in partners for this venture,” he said. “When they individually expressed interest in being part of the Phoenix, I was delighted to welcome them. We look forward to introducing them to the fans as we build a great club for this exciting journey ahead.”​

NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger said the trio’s decision to buy into an NBL club was a pat on the back for the national league.​

“To have three NBA players, two of whom have also played in the NBL, invest in Phoenix is a great endorsement of the league. We believe the NBL is now one of the best leagues in the world outside of the NBA,” he said. “Australian basketball continues to go from strength to strength with the NBL enjoying record attendances and broadcast audiences. Basketball is now in the top 10 sports played in Australia and enjoying record popularity at a grassroots and elite level.”