NBL free agency 2023: Latest news and whispers on player movement
After three years in Japan, a taste of home for the man they call the Vanilla Gorilla was all it took to get him to seek an NBL return. From there, it all came up Phoenix. Here’s why.
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When South East Melbourne Phoenix boss Tommy Greer decided to target four-time NBL champion Rhys Vague, the basketball gods must have been watching.
A series of timely events all pointed to the Phoenix for the 27-year-old former Perth Wildcat.
About to come out-of-contract in Japan, where he’d spent the past three years with the Kagawa Five Arrows, the ‘Vanilla Gorilla’ was drafted into the Australian Boomers’ squad for a pair of FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Melbourne.
SCROLL DOWN FOR EVERY FREE AGENCY MOVE AND CLUB’S ROSTER
The venue? South East Melbourne’s home in the Heartland, Wantirna South’s State Basketball Centre.
The raucous crowd showed plenty of love across the two February games and, as Vague put up 13 points, five boards and a trio of three pointers against Bahrain, his mind began to tick over, eventually leading to a two-year deal with the Phoenix.
“Just being back in Melbourne a couple of months ago and that atmosphere for basketball … was just really cool,” Vague said.
“It was one of those things you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone and that feeling again was quite surreal.”
Surreal turned to serendipity when Phoenix hired cherished Boomers’ assistant Mike Kelly as their new head coach.
“Being coached by Mike is always awesome,” Vague, who won last year’s FIBA Asia Cup under Kelly, said.
“I like the way he goes about his business, I like that he develops relationships with the players, not just on the court but off the court, he cares.
“Just to be around for the next two years will be great.
“Once I heard that my agency saw what was there in the NBL and then it aligned with the Phoenix — I am just stoked to be on-board.”
So what can fans expect from Vague, who, during those aforementioned internationals, bore such a striking resemblance to Boomers great Joe Ingles, in both shooting ability and appearance, one Twitter user suggested his nickname could change from ‘Vanilla Gorilla’ to ‘Jailhouse Joe’ in honour of his tattoo-speckled body?
“I’m a big that stretches the floor and is quite versatile, can switch defences and knock down a three so hopefully I can bring that to the Phoenix,” Vague, who, last season, averaged 13 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in Japan, said.
He’ll also bring a love for the community and be a plus in the club’s culture, having cut his teeth under legendary leaders Shawn Redhage, Greg Hire, Damian Martin, Bryce Cotton and Jesse Wagstaff in Perth.
“Those guys taught me how to go about business in the right way,” he said.
“Being part of four championships there helped me realise what it takes to grow a winning culture.
“What I have seen from the Phoenix, people are getting around the fanbase. I am super excited to get into the community out there.”
Vague’s Japan sojourn bore an interest in film photography but it’s a love of coffee that has also aligned perfectly with his new destination.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Vanilla Gorilla.@RhysVague96#NBL19#NBLFinals🆠pic.twitter.com/TnGKkG3zRy
— NBL (@NBL) March 17, 2019
“I can see a future as a barista down the line,” Vague says — and he wouldn’t look out of place behind the espresso machine pulling a few shots and bashing on the knockbox in a trendy Melbourne cafe, although they might need to raise the bench for him a little.
The 206cm Perth native shot the three ball at around 34 per cent last season and completes a fearsome Phoenix frontline quartet of perennial MVP candidate Mitch Creek, marauding import Alan Williams and fellow new signing Gorjok Gak.
He plans to spend time with family and friends back home in Perth and put a big off-season into his body and game to be prepared for NBL24.
AGELESS WONDER BACK AT UNITED
Evergreen veteran Brad Newley will return to Melbourne United for a third season.
The recently-turned 38-year-old played his 300th NBL game last season and will provide an experienced presence in a new-look United locker-room for NBL24.
“I’m really appreciative to be getting another chance to play for this great club,” he said.
“I want to help get us back to where we should be and that’s towards the top of the NBL ladder.
“This group that’s coming together is really special.
“I like the young guys we’ve brought in and how they complement the returning players we’ve got, it’s a nicely-balanced squad and it’s going to be great fun to be a part of.”
It also means the long-time bromance with Chris Goulding continues on the court for another season.
“I’m really happy for Newls and his family to extend with the club again,” Goulding said.
“He’s really embraced the culture at Melbourne United and has become a real positive driver of it recently, while bringing that veteran mentality that every team needs.”
WHO ARE THE BEST LOCAL FREE AGENTS STILL AVAILABLE?
But there is still a glut of local talent without contracts for NBL24.
News Corp spoke with several NBL sources to determine who were the most-coveted yet to secure new deals.
Kyle Adnam and Ben Ayre loom as the two point guards clubs are fighting for, with nearly every source mentioning either one or both.
Each are interesting cases. Adnam is a foundation member of South East Melbourne and co-captain but, with a change of coach has come a change of direction at the Phoenix. The 29-year-old has no shortage of suitors, but money and role could be sticking points. Illawarra is one club that needs a veteran in its back-court but Adnam could command more money overseas.
Many raised eyebrows when Ayre was let go by Cairns, one source believing he did not fit the club’s mould of long, athletic defensive players. Regardless, he is back in Melbourne, playing for Sandringham in NBL1 and generating plenty of buzz across the league, with both Melbourne clubs and Brisbane among those keen on the 27-year-old.
Interestingly, one source mentioned former Sydney King Biwali Bayles, who was let go by the Kings on a paid leave of absence over an undisclosed issue. Bayles is an intriguing prospect who has yet to secure a meaningful role in the league, but has impressed with his effort and aggression in limited minutes.
Gun former Breakers forward Finn Delany, who has been playing in Germany, continues to be mentioned as a potential returnee to the league. The Kiwis would love to have him back but News Corp understands there has been interest from the back-to-back champion Sydney Kings, who, after missing on Pinder and Travers, will be looking to add a high-level talent to help fill the void left by Xavier Cooks.
Sixers forwards Daniel Johnson and Hyrum Harris have value for different reasons — DJ for his offence and experience and Harris for his relentless effort and defensive chops. Adelaide was keen to go in a different direction from their club great, but respected hoops scribe Boti Nagy recently floated the 35-year-old walking bucket could be back in Sixers’ colours next season.
Ryan Broekhoff is an interesting case. The former NBA man, who, late last season, quashed retirement rumours, is taking his time as he focuses on family and setting up a new Hoops City location in Melbourne’s south east. Clubs have asked about athletic Phoenix guard Junior Madut, who had a 50 piece in NBL1 this month.
Up front, a trio of big South Sudanese products in Deng Deng, Majok Deng and Mangok Mathiang are popular, with the former the most in-demand.
News Corp has been told Big boys Majok Majok, Matt Hodgson and Tohi Smith-Milner all have suitors.
Phoenix big Dane Pineau hasn’t got a job yet, but one source said they love what they’ve seen of him in NBL1: “He just plays his way, efficient, no fuss,” the source said.
Clubs like sharpshooting giant Rob Loe but he is expected to ink a new deal with New Zealand, while it’d be unthinkable for club icon Tom Abercrombie to wear anything but a Breakers jersey in NBL24.
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