Rucker: Adnam Ready for Next Move?

Two of South East Melbourne’s three co-captains are out of contract heading into NBL24, and former MVP Derek Rucker believes the time is right for one of them to move on.

Kyle Adnam has been a near ever-present for the Phoenix since the side’s introduction into the competition in 2019. After having turned out for Adelaide, Illawarra, Melbourne and Sydney before his stint in the ‘heartland’, Adnam has since played 115 games for the club.

The 2018 championship winner averaged 8.7 points per game in NBL23, as his side’s guard rotation struggled for consistency following injuries to both Gary Browne and Trey Kell throughout the season.

“I think it might be a good opportunity for both the club and the player with respect to Kyle Adnam to move apart from each other,” Rucker said.

“I think Kyle has done his due there and there are some probably some places – maybe Adelaide in a reserve role – that might have a spot for him.

“If the Phoenix don’t get those injuries about two thirds of the way through the season, we have no idea what could have happened.”

After former head coach Simon Mitchell’s departure from the program at the end of NBL23, the Phoenix are knee-deep in the search for a new head coach.

Club CEO Tommy Greer recently revealed he’s planning on keeping expressions of interest in the position open through most of March, and is planning to announce the decision surrounding a new head coach around the start of free agency.

“Realistically I think there’s a chance that if the right coach is hired, they can make moves,” Rucker said.

“We don’t know what’s happening with Zhou Qi, maybe he comes back … Alan Williams is a very good player for this competition, we know what ‘Creeky’ can do – if they can find the right guard combination.”

NBL Free Agency opens on March 30, with all team, player and mutual options needing to be confirmed by March 27.