Crosscourt: Battling South East Melbourne Phoenix boosted by Jordi Hunter’s contract commitment

A renegotiation of contract clauses will have huge implications for big man Jordi Hunter and the South East Melbourne Phoenix, in CROSSCOURT.

Jordi Hunter celebrates the Phoenix’s win over Melbourne United. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Any fears South East Melbourne’s finest leader could be lured by an Asian club in the next three years have been averted.

Sources told Code Sports key Aussie big man Jordi Hunter has given up the Asia out clauses in his contract, ensuring he is fully committed to the Phoenix until at least the end of the 2026-27 season.

Amid early season turmoil, where the club lost its first five games, axed coach Mike Kelly and hired American Josh King, Phoenix co-captain Hunter has played a key role in holding the group together.

Couple that with stellar play and a dearth of true centres on the Phoenix roster and the club prioritised a renegotiation of the contract of arguably its most important player.

Hunter’s out clauses were to kick in each off-season of his three-year deal and expire before the beginning of the next season.

Hunter has been a source of stability for the Phoenix in a troubled start to the season. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The 27-year-old’s added layer of commitment is a big positive for the club off the back of its first win of the season as it hopes to turn its campaign around under a new coach.

After four seasons in Sydney where he won two NBL titles, Hunter made the move to South East Melbourne in free agency and, through six games, he is enjoying career-best form, producing 13.8 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting over 60 per cent from the field. He dominated Melbourne United in Sunday’s 93-84 win with 20 points and 9 rebounds and he’ll lead the Phoenix under caretaker coach Sam Mackinnon in a road-home double this week, first against the Breakers in New Zealand Thursday night, then a Saturday home date with top-of-the-table Illawarra.

Originally published as Crosscourt: Battling South East Melbourne Phoenix boosted by Jordi Hunter’s contract commitment