To the Phoenix with a Bullet

South East Melbourne has added to its NBL-proven development player stocks, signing former Brisbane Bullet Kody Stattmann as a development player.

Stattmann was a member of the Bullets’ main roster for NBL23 and played 19 times, and will reunite with Sam Mackinnon at the Phoenix.

The 23-year-old wing played a full four-year collegiate career with the University of Virginia, where he won a national championship in his freshman year.

“I am very excited to work with the coaches and all the boys and am very grateful for this opportunity. The main reason why I wanted to join SEM is because I’ve known Mike (Kelly) and Sam (Mackinnon) for a bit and want to be coached by them,” Stattmann said.

“Sam and I have known each other for a bit, he’s always believed in me, and I’m excited to be coached by him this year.

“They expect me to come in and push myself to improve my game and work hard to be the best player I can. I know they believe in me, and it’s the best place for my development as a pro basketball player.”

Stattmann attended the development player camp the club ran last month and impressed enough to earn himself a roster spot for NBL24.

“At the DP camp, Kody’s size and length stood out, and his improved shot-making made it hard to go past,” Mackinnon said.

“Kody’s signing as a DP gives our roster great depth. Personally, I’m looking forward to working with Kody on a daily basis to ensure he fulfils his basketball goals,” he added.  

Stattmann is the third development player signed by the Phoenix for the upcoming season alongside Austin Rapp and Anzac Rissetto. The trio will support a main roster currently consisting of Ben Ayre, Gary Browne, Mitch Creek, Owen Foxwell, Gorjok Gak, Matt Kenyon, Reuben Te Rangi, Rhys Vague and Alan Williams.