South East Melbourne Phoenix import Tai Wesley on cusp of return from hamstring injury
He’s been out for 10 games, but Tai Wesley is ready to make his return for South East Melbourne Phoenix.
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South East Melbourne Phoenix will activate Tai Wesley on Wednesday after a nine-week hamstring injury.
Wesley, 33, has missed 10 matches after breaking down minutes into Phoenix’s season-opener against Melbourne United.
The two-time NBL champion declared himself fit on Tuesday and ready to lace up the shoes again ahead of a decisive fitness test on Wednesday.
Wesley had been extremely durable before his latest setback, having missed just four weeks across five NBL campaigns due to an appendectomy.
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“It’s been a long nine weeks of recovery,” Wesley said.
“My body feels good, my hamstring feels good.”
Wesley’s return on Sunday against Perth Wildcats will come at the expense of injury replacement Jaye Crockett.
Crockett has made nine appearances for the high-octane green machine, averaging 8.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and one assist.
Crockett helped Phoenix get the win over Brisbane Bullets last weekend, with 10 points in the second half including the go-ahead buckets.
“Jaye’s been phenomenal for us to step into that spot … and be a good team guy,” Wesley said.
Wesley has had a profound impact during the lay-off, cheering from the bench and helping to develop emerging Phoenix big men Dane Pineau, Deng Acouth and Daniel Trist.
“It’s so hard (being injured and watching from the bench),” Wesley said.
“I don’t know, you get into the game almost more, I’m so much more nervous, sweating, I’m yelling at the referees, it’s not a good thing sitting there.
“As far as helping my teammates, giving advice and sharing wisdom, I’m more than willing to do that.”
Wesley will be on restricted minutes on Sunday — as long as he pulls up well from training today — but his return will still give Phoenix, who has relied on perimetre shooting, another important avenue to the basket.
The Wildcats punished Phoenix by 31 points in Perth early in the season and 200cm power forward Wesley is determined to get one back on the NBL powerhouse.
“We haven’t forgotten about them beating up on us,” Wesley said.
“So it should be a good one, hopefully we can get them back on our home court.”