South East Melbourne Phoenix to join NBL

The NBL’s newest team will be known as the South East Melbourne Phoenix and will play in a predominantly green strip.

South East Melbourne Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell, South East Melbourne General Manager Tommy Greer, Deputy Premier James Merlino and NBL Chief Executive Jeremy Loeliger at the launch of the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Picture: Getty Images

The NBL’s newest team will be known as the South East Melbourne Phoenix and will play in a predominantly green strip.

Victoria’s Deputy Premier James Merlino, NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger and Phoenix general manager Tommy Greer launched the league’s ninth club at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday.

The new team will join the competition for the 2019-20 season and will play home games at Melbourne Arena, along with cross-town rivals Melbourne United.

We’re the NBL’s newest team, come rise with us: https://t.co/litGQakOGF#RiseUpPhoenix pic.twitter.com/S1g2wxdjIT

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) November 17, 2018

The Herald Sun reports the second Melbourne franchise, and ninth overall, are aiming to sign Australian NBA hopeful Mitch Creek and potentially Milwaukee Bucks’ Victorian star Matthew Dellavedova as well.

South East Melbourne general manager Tommy Greer says the new club is already in talks with overseas players for the 2019/19 NBL season.

“We’ve got players playing all over the world at the moment so whilst we can’t start conversations with players in the NBL that are contracted due to free agency regulations, we’ve definitely been out and about and starting conversations,” Greer radio station 1116 SEN on Friday.

AAP