Same, Same but Different for Phoenix Combo

Photo: Phoenix Media

After locking horns in the NBL for the past two seasons, Owen Foxwell and Ben Ayre are set to become teammates for the first time in NBL24.

Foxwell has been nurtured through South East Melbourne in the early years of its existence. The now 19-year-old has played 21 games for the Phoenix as a development player over the last two seasons, and has been signed to a full roster spot for the upcoming season.

Ayre, meanwhile, is the new kid on the block in the heartland. The former Taipan has moved south after experiencing a breakout campaign in which he made 32 appearances for Cairns.

Despite the different paths they’ve taken to get to the same arena, Ayre says there are plenty of similarities between the pair.

“We’re very similar personalities,” Ayre told Phoenix Media. “Very similar players on the court as well. But at the same time we bring our own flavour to the game and our workouts.

“We’re both high energy guys, play defence and are smart point guards. There are similarities in that way.”

“We’re two guys that really like to get up and in on the defensive end and get downhill and score buckets,” Foxwell added.

“We can both shift if we are playing together on the floor. He’s (Ayre) got the ability to switch to the two position and so do I.

“I think the two types of games we play kind of work well together. We bounce off each other.”

Photo: Travis Palmeiri

With both players currently plying their trade in the NBL1 South over the course of the NBL off-season – Foxwell for Eltham and Ayre for Sandringham – they've hit the gym early ahead of the new campaign, and have given themselves plenty of opportunity to impress new head coach Mike Kelly.

“These workouts allow us to get to know Mike’s style,” Ayre said. “It’s been really good getting to know him as a person and a coach.”

“The basketball will come as the season goes on, but just getting to know his personal life has been really good,” Foxwell added.

“It’s all the little things that I think are more important.”

South East Melbourne’s opening game of the NBL24 season will come against Melbourne United on Thursday, September 28.

For the full story head to >> A Blooming Point Guard Partnership.