On a day when the Phoenix unveiled three-time Richmond AFL premiership captain Trent Cotchin as their No.1 ticketholder for NBL24, Creek mentioned the membership had by no means had a participant fairly like Tyler Cook, who he mentioned offers the squad a special look to the wide-bodied Williams.
The 203cm large man stepped off a 22-hour, three-flight journey from Chicago to Melbourne and straight into follow.
“He’s a little more athletic than Sauce,” Creek mentioned of the 25-year-old, who has performed 65 NBA video games.
“He’s jet-lagged and, first day, he looked like Usain Bolt out there in the sprints. He was jumping head above the rim and making great spectacular plays.
“Cook’s ability to be athletic … (and) … his patience and size, it makes him very versatile for us.
“It’ll be exciting to see him with some fresh legs.”
If you’re in search of Cook in NBL Supercoach, cool your jets for now — he will likely be added and is prone to begin across the similar as different new imports ($277,000). The Phoenix have three doubles within the first 4 rounds, making them very fantasy pleasant within the early going, and meaning Cook may very well be a brilliant early POD for coaches to lean into whereas Big Sauce is on the rack.
Get him in, hope he dominates and makes over $115k after which swap him straight out for Sauce when wholesome.
It’s a bet, given Williams, on Monday, underwent a profitable arthroscope and was in good spirits on the State Basketball Centre on Wednesday as he started his rehab.
WHAT TIGERS’ AFL LEGEND CAN BRING TO PHOENIX
South East Melbourne has linked with Cotchin, given the membership discovered a robust collaboration between Phoenix and Tiger supporters and a synergy between the Brownlow medallist’s psychological well being endeavours and the membership’s work locally.
He’ll tackle an natural management position on the membership, with the finer particulars to be labored out on the fly as he creates bonds among the many Heartland squad.
“We haven’t quite established exactly what it looks like but I think leadership is purely based around building relationships,” Cotchin informed Code Sports.
“So doing that in the beginning and then working through from my own journey and the insights that are provided from the players and the coaches. Staff will be able to work through some of the stuff that’s helped us.
“I’ll probably learned just as much from the guys as what they learn from me.
“I’m excited to be part of a group that is willing to lean in and wants to get better.”
Creek’s eager to choose Cotchin’s mind, hear an outdoor perspective on the membership from somebody who has achieved a lot success in one other elite sporting code and hopes extra Tiger supporters will discover the Phoenix by means of their former captain.
Interestingly, when Cotchin met with Tommy Greer, the pair shortly realised they grew up on the identical road — Bodycoats Rd — an early icebreaker.
“In the first meeting it was established and that was pretty cool, totally small world,” Cotchin mentioned.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever met someone else in the sporting world who grew up in Wollert but that was a nice connection to begin with.
“Then, just hearing about the direction of the club and their growth and their focuses and new coach (Mike Kelly) coming in, I was intrigued and the conversation happened from there.”
The Phoenix head to the Gold Coast on Friday and can tip off the primary recreation of the NBL Blitz in opposition to Tasmania on Saturday at 5pm AEST.
Tough break: NZ’s Aussie star William McDowell-White sidelined
—Michael Randall and Matt Logue
Star Brisbane-born level guard William McDowell-White has been dominated out of the NBL Blitz and is not any certainty to go well with up in spherical one.
It’s understood the 25-year-old broke his hand in coaching with New Zealand Breakers, who he led to the NBL grand ultimate final season.
Code Sports has been informed the Paris Olympic hopeful is not going to require surgical procedure however is carrying a solid on his left arm and is doubtful for the Breakers’ September 30 season opener in opposition to Cairns.
It’s unclear if the 196cm guard will likely be match for the Breakers’ NBLxNBA clashes with Portland and Utah on October 11 and 17 — an opportunity for him to indicate his wares in entrance of massive league scouts.
Owing to the Breakers’ absence for spherical three and 4, McDowell-White is just at six per cent possession in NBL Supercoach, however his all-round potential offers him the potential to be among the many recreation’s topscorers and the harm will see his possession dip even additional within the interim.
The son of Brisbane Lions three-time AFL premiership-winning star Darryl White, McDowell-White produced a standout season in New Zealand, ending among the many high 5 help males at 6.2 per recreation, to go together with 10.5 factors and 5.1 rebounds.
He led the Breakers to second on the ladder and helped stretch Sydney to 5 video games within the grand ultimate, falling 3-2. His masterpiece got here in recreation one when he produced an nearly faultless 19-point, nine-rebound, nine-assist close to triple-double in a shock win on the Kings’ house ground.
One of the most popular free brokers within the NBL this low season, McDowell-White spurned big-money abroad affords and Australian-based groups to re-sign with the Breakers on a two-year deal.
He was a part of Australia’s 18-man World Cup choice squad however was minimize after the August coaching camp in Cairns.
The Breakers have a deep guard rotation and are usually not anticipated to signal a alternative for McDowell-White whereas he’s out injured.
Originally revealed as Hoops intel: All the news, harm and Supercoach recommendation forward of NBL24
Source: www.news.com.au
