IT will be a new-look SEM Phoenix that takes the court in the upcoming National Basketball League (NBL) season, after the team made some huge changes to the roster over the past few months.

Coming off a poor 2023/24 campaign, the Phoenix expectedly made moves both on and off the court in the months that followed the conclusion of their title hunt. They lost their star player, but added some crucial pieces including appointing a new coach.

Now with a more balanced roster, South East Melbourne will look to bounce back and make a return to the postseason action.

South East Melbourne Phoenix

Last time around

The Phoenix struggled with player continuity, with key figures departing the team over the course of the fixture. Between contract releases and long-term injuries, they simply could not get going as the fixture rolled on and other sides made charges into the finals.

Although the imports performed well on the court, they could not stay on the floor for long enough to get the team on a winning streak, and the Phoenix struggled to match it with the teams contending for a championship.

In the end, South East Melbourne finished the season on the bottom of the ladder in 10th spot with a record of 10 wins and 18 losses in a disappointing campaign given it has made it to the finals in recent fixtures.

The off-season

It was a massive period of change for the Phoenix, starting with a change in the position of head coach, as Mike Kelly took the reigns. Kelly played for South East Melbourne in the 90s and already has experience as a head coach in the NBL after leading the Cairns Taipans from 2018-2021.

It looked to be a transition period for the Phoenix after Mitch Creek departed the team for overseas opportunities. Creek was South East Melbourne’s marquee signing and superstar player since its inception, and had led the team in scoring every season.

However, the ins were just as impressive, headlined by Derrick Walton Jr, who returned to the NBL after a year overseas. During his time with the Sydney Kings, he showed his ceiling as an offensive player, and the Phoenix saw this up close when he posted a whopping 45 points and 10 assists against them in an enthralling duel with Creek (46 points, 10 rebounds).

Walton Jr. will be joined in the backcourt by veteran guard Nathan Sobey, who will be searching for that elusive maiden NBL championship with the Phoenix. He showed last season with the Brisbane Bullets that he is still a damaging player on the offensive end, and will be one of the team’s focal points on the scoring front.

Starting lineup (when healthy)

Derrick Walton Jr.
Nathan Sobey
Joe Wieskamp
Matt Hurt
Jordan Hunter

One to watch

Although Walton Jr. was the biggest name in terms of former Kings joining the team, an underrated signing was the addition of Angus Glover. The tough competitor is coming off an exceptional campaign for the Eltham Wildcats in the NBL1, and appears on the brink of a breakout campaign in Australia’s premier men’s basketball competition.

He had already shown his clutch ability with the Wildcats in the past, but brought it to the Phoenix in a preseason clash with cross-town rivals Melbourne United, knocking down a clutch triple off the dribble to nearly win the game. If he can keep stepping up in big moments, he will be one of the most important players in the competition.