Williams Stoked With Saucy Phoenix Signings

Friday, June 16, 2023

After suffering elimination at the first time of asking in the post-season in NBL23, the South East Melbourne Phoenix are re-tooling from top to bottom ahead of their tilt for this season’s championship.

After suffering elimination at the first time of asking in the post-season in NBL23, the South East Melbourne Phoenix are re-tooling from top to bottom for NBL24.

One of few faces to remain the same for the upcoming season is star import centre Alan Williams, who, after an off-season stint in Japan, is now fully focused on bringing the Phoenix their inaugural NBL crown.

Having represented a total of nine teams across his globetrotting basketball career so far, Williams is well accustomed to change.

“Any time you are changing teammates it’s obviously different, but it comes with the business,” he told Phoenix Media. “I’m just ready to get back to work with everybody, to try and create a place where we can win basketball games and achieve the goals we are looking to achieve.

“I think the club’s done a really good job in bringing in a coach and players that will help us get to where we want to be, which is NBL champions.

“We have guys that are returning – you know what you’re getting there – but I think the additions to the club are going to be great. I think everyone can excel in the roles we establish for each other.

“It should be a strong team to forge.”

Williams led what loomed as a deep centre rotation at the Phoenix last season, but with no news announced on Zhou Qi’s potential return and Dane Pineau being strongly linked with a reported move to the Breakers, ‘Big Sauce’ is primed to help lead a new unit of bigs.

Former Brisbane centre Gorjok Gak has been confirmed as one of South East Melbourne’s raft of incoming talent, and Williams says he’s looking forward to working with the 26-year-old.

“He is a heck of a player,” Williams said of his new teammate. “I said that the first time I saw him play. I think he’s dominating in the NBL1 – just his length and athleticism is going to give the team a different look than what we have been able to put out there.”

South East Melbourne’s new-look roster will take to the floor for the first time in NBL24, in the opening game of the new season.

The Phoenix are set to take on local rivals Melbourne on Thursday, September 28.