South East Melbourne Phoenix lock in Belgian forward Vrenz Bleijenbergh amid import guard Omari Moore’s departure

Amid the departure of one import after less than a month on the roster, South East Melbourne are set to be buoyed by the arrival of a European big-man with Joe Ingles-like “unicorn” qualities.

South East Melbourne has inked a towering Belgian who once drew comparisons with Boomers great Joe Ingles and has “unicorn” potential in the NBL.

On the same day import guard Omari Moore exercised his European out clause — before playing a single game in a Phoenix jersey — sources told Code Sports the club has zeroed in on its Matt Hurt replacement in 208cm point forward Vrenz Bleijenbergh.

Honing his craft as a floor general for much of his early basketball life, Bleijenbergh is an elite big-man playmaker who can create off the bounce, lead the transition and find his teammates with his exceptional court vision.

Those skills will be something unique to the NBL, outside of perhaps Sydney’s former league MVP Xavier Cooks.

What is likely to set the 2023 Belgian league finals MVP apart is his shooting ability — Bleijenbergh shot 39 per cent on threes last season with Turkish club Merkezefendi, while averaging 11.6 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

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South East Melbourne is set to lock in Belgian import Vrenz Bleijenbergh, sources said. Picture: Getty Images

One source told Code Sports Bleijenbergh also offered a two-way presence, his high basketball IQ and athleticism allowing him to effectively guard bigs and smalls, adding flexibility to defensive-minded coach Josh King’s schemes.

After turning pro at just 16, a raw Bleijenbergh, prior to the 2021, drew comparisons to Tokyo Olymopic bronze medallist Joe Ingles and Serbian former first-round pick Aleksej Pokusevski for his combination of height and playmaking ability.

He went undrafted and has spent time in Belgium, Spain and Turkey, along with a brief stint with Chicago’s G League affiliate — he’ll arrive in Melbourne an eight-year veteran on the precipice of his prime at age 24.

Code Sports understands the club will unveil its new signing in the coming days.

The big signing news comes as the short ride with Moore, the 24-year-old Californian combo guard, ends.

The Phoenix, who signed Moore less than a month ago, are set to reap a buyout from the San Antonio Spurs’ Summer League competitor’s exit to Europe.

His departure, though, sends King and basketball boss Simon Mitchell back to the drawing board as the seek a replacement guard.

Originally published as South East Melbourne Phoenix lock in Belgian forward Vrenz Bleijenbergh amid import guard Omari Moore’s departure