Champion center inks Phoenix deal

The South East Melbourne Phoenix have felled another domino in the local center merry-go-round, signing two-time NBL champion Jordan Hunter.

The 27-year-old was a crucial piece of Sydney’s NBL23 title-winning side under Chase Buford, and has spent his entire NBL career with the Kings since he graduated from notorious Australian collegiate pathway, Saint Mary's.

He emerged as Sydney’s starting center in NBL24 after seasons supporting the likes of Boomers legend Andrew Bogut and import Tim Soares, and has played a total of 127 NBL games across his career to date.

Hunter is currently playing for Latvian side Rigas Zelli over the NBL off-season, and averaged 10.3 points and seven rebounds per game across 28 games in NBL24.

Phoenix General Manager of Basketball Simon Mitchell says Hunter is primed to “explode” at the Phoenix.

“Jordan has shown what he is capable of on court in arguably the toughest position, he is at the perfect period in his career to explode and dominate,” Mitchell said.

“The Phoenix are looking forward to Jordan forming a pivotal piece of our team puzzle moving forward.”

Hunter has joined Nathan Sobey and fellow former King Angus Glover as new signings at the Phoenix.