NBL leading scorer Ben Madgen joins Melbourne Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix have added another piece in their recruiting puzzle, signing NBL leading scoring Ben Madgen to their squad. Madgen is the brother of Collingwood AFL player Jack.

Ben Madgen will play for Melbourne Phoenix next NBL season. Picture: Brett Costello

South East Melbourne Phoenix have signed their second player with former NBL leading scorer Ben Madgen joining the new club.

The South Australian has been playing in Europe since 2015 and is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Crailsheim Merlins in the German Bundesliga. His signing follows that of Mitch Creek, who has just completed a second 10-day contract with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.

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Now 34, Madgen averaged 17.9 point per game in the 2012-13 NBL when he played for the Sydney Kings.

The 193cm shooting guard was named to the All-NBL first team and honoured as Most Improved Player in that season.

Ben Madgen in action for the Sydney Kings.

Madgen comes from a sporting family with his sister Tess representing the Opals and playing for the WNBL’s Townsville Fire.

His brother Jack is a rising star with Collingwood in the AFL after he played NBL with Cairns.

Jack Madgen made his Collingwood debut last year. Picture: Michael Klein

The Phoenix will join the NBL for the 2019-20 season.

They can’t sign NBL-contracted players until free agency begins later this year but are free to sign overseas-based players.

Originally published as NBL leading scorer Ben Madgen joins Melbourne Phoenix