South East Melbourne Phoenix could be a potential destination for Boomers swingman Ryan Broekhoff
Boomers swingman Ryan Broekhoff has been in limbo since mid-December, but he could return to the NBL if he fails to secure another NBA deal.
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BOOMERS swingman Ryan Broekhoff has confirmed that the NBL is a career option should he fail to pick up another NBA or European deal.
Broekhoff’s comments comes as the South East Melbourne Phoenix have loomed as a destination for the 30-year-old if his overseas options don’t work out.
Broekhoff has been in limbo since mid-December when the Philadelphia 76ers waived his contract, just three weeks after he re-signed with the franchise.
His preference is to remain in the NBA, and he has received interest from several teams about securing a two-way contract.
However, if Broekhoff fails to land another NBA or European deal, a return to Australia with South East Melbourne would be the most logical fit.
“The plan right now is concentrating on the NBA. The NBL is always something to consider if the NBA doesn’t pan out as well as Europe,” Broekhoff said.
Hailing from Frankston, southeast of Melbourne, Broekhoff could become the local face of the franchise.
Phoenix officials would love to sign Broekhoff but understand that his focus is trying to remain in the NBA.
But if this doesn’t happen, an Australian homecoming to the NBL could be on the cards. Broekhoff would add significant strike to a South East Melbourne side already featuring stars like Mitch Creek and Cam Gliddon.
Broekhoff signed a non-guaranteed deal to return to Philadelphia in late November last year.
He was hoping to relaunch his NBA career at the 76ers alongside fellow Australian Ben Simmons following an interrupted 2020 season.
Broekhoff fractured his leg in January before being waived by Dallas in February.
After an extended injury lay-off, Broekhoff then signed with Philadelphia in June and looked set to return before his wife tested positive to COVID-19.
As a result, he opted not to partake in the NBA season restart in the Orlando bubble in July.
Broekhoff didn’t travel with the 76ers, deciding to stay home and reveal his wife’s situation via a tweet.
“I am not with the 76ers right now in Orlando because my wife, who is high risk, tested positive for COVID,” Broekhoff said.
“We have a young son, and my focus needs to be with my family at this time. I appreciate the 76ers for their support.”
Broekhoff’s wife has an auto-immune disease, so he had to put her health before basketball.
Now the swingman from Frankston is on the lookout for a new NBA franchise after parting ways with Philadelphia.
Broekhoff played in 59 games for Dallas over the last two seasons, shooting 40.3 per cent from three-point range.
He averaged 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 10.7 minutes with the Mavericks in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Originally published as South East Melbourne Phoenix could be a potential destination for Boomers swingman Ryan Broekhoff
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