NICKNAME/S: Vanilla Gorilla

BIO: Rhys Anthony Vague was born in the Perth suburb of Kardinya (WA). He played his first game of basketball at the age of seven, starting at the Spearwood Hawks Junior Basketball Club before joining the Cockburn Cougars junior program. He is also a product of the rich basketball program at Willetton Senior High School.

As a teenager he barracked for the Perth Wildcats, idolising the players and dreamt of playing for the club.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Rhys Vague made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 17 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Following Perth’s 2014 NBL championship, the Wildcats retained most of their roster under coach Trevor Gleeson, adding DeAndre Daniels (via Connecticut) and Earnest Ross (via Missouri) following the departures of James Ennis (to Miami) and Erik Burdon (to Mount Gambier). Rhys Vague joined Perth during preseason training before earning a development-player position, providing additional frontcourt depth alongside Matthew Knight, Shawn Redhage, Jesse Wagstaff and Tom Jervis.

Vague made his NBL debut against Sydney at Perth Arena on October 24, playing the final 45 seconds without recording a statistic as Perth defeated the Kings 84-63. Jermaine Beal (16 points) and Wagstaff (15 points and 2 rebounds) led the Wildcats, while Martin (2 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 9 steals) recorded the second-most steals in a game by a Wildcat behind Ricky Grace’s ten. Ben Madgen (15 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney.

Vague (0 points across 1 game) remained outside Gleeson’s regular rotation, with his limited appearances reflecting his development-player role rather than an injury. Despite Perth experiencing several frontcourt injuries, including a torn calf suffered by Greg Hire and a broken toe which sidelined Knight for six games, Vague did not receive further court time. He was active for three additional games but remained unused.

Beal (16.4 points across 30 games) became Perth’s leading scorer and won the club’s MVP award, while Daniels (14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds across 30 games) provided further scoring and rebounding. Martin (6.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.7 steals across 30 games) won the NBL Best Defensive Player award for the fifth consecutive season and Knight received All-NBL Second Team honours. Perth finished fourth with a 16-12 record, qualifying for its 29th consecutive postseason.

Vague did not appear in either semifinal as Cairns defeated Perth 71-64 in game one and 80-68 in game two, completing a 2-0 sweep and ending the Wildcats’ championship defence.

2015/16
After finishing fourth with a 16-12 record and being swept by Cairns in the semifinals the previous season, Perth entered 2015/16 looking to rebound from an injury-riddled campaign where coach Trevor Gleeson felt the Wildcats had also struggled with chemistry. DeAndre Daniels (not re-signed), Drake U’U (opted out) and Earnest Ross (released following an Achilles injury) departed, while Casey Prather (via Bakersfield), Nathan Jawai (via Andorra) and Hugh Greenwood (via New Mexico) were added. Greenwood requested a release before the season (to Adelaide Crows) to pursue an AFL career, with Jarrod Kenny (via Hawke’s Bay) signed on September 1 as his replacement. Once the regular season began, Perth made no contracted mid-season roster addition or release.

Rhys Vague returned for a second season as a development player after making one appearance for Perth the previous year. He entered the NBL season after a breakout campaign with the East Perth Eagles, averaging 18.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 22 SBL games and winning the league’s Most Improved Player award.

Perth opened the season in Adelaide on October 10 with a 79-66 victory, with Jermaine Beal (18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) leading the Wildcats and Jesse Wagstaff (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) providing support, while Daniel Johnson (18 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best.

Vague (1.5 points across 6 games) remained outside Perth’s regular rotation, making five regular-season appearances and one during the Grand Final. No injury was reported during the season, with his limited court time coming through his development-player role and Perth’s experienced frontcourt depth. Prather (16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 27 games) led Perth in scoring and Beal (15.6 points and 3.6 assists across 33 games) remained the Wildcats’ other major offensive weapon.

Vague’s best game of the season came against Melbourne at Perth Arena on December 10, where Vague (4 points) made his only field-goal attempt, which was a three-pointer, during the final three minutes as Perth defeated United 113-83. Beal (40 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals) made ten three-pointers to set a Wildcats single-game record and Prather (20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Daniel Kickert (23 points and 3 rebounds) was Melbourne’s leading scorer.

His longest opportunity came against Sydney on February 10, where Vague (3 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal) played 19:47 as Perth rested and managed a number of its regular rotation players. Matthew Knight (15 points and 9 rebounds) led the Wildcats and Kenny (11 points and 2 assists) provided support, while Tom Garlepp (22 points and 3 assists) led Sydney to a 103-77 victory.

Knight (11.6 points and 7.9 rebounds across 33 games) earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Jawai (10.3 points and 4.1 rebounds across 32 games), Wagstaff (9.3 points and 4 rebounds across 34 games), Tom Jervis (6.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 34 games) and Shawn Redhage (6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds across 34 games) gave Perth considerable frontcourt depth. Damian Martin (5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals across 24 games) missed the opening four games with a calf injury before suffering a broken jaw and displaced teeth following an accidental clash with Townsville’s Brian Conklin, returning only 23 days after surgery. Prather was named Perth’s Most Valuable Player.

Vague did not appear as Perth defeated Illawarra 2-1 in the semifinals and remained unused through the opening two games of the Grand Final against New Zealand.

The deciding game returned to Perth Arena, where Vague (0 points and 1 rebound) played the final 1:10 as Prather (19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block), Beal (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Martin (10 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) led Perth, while Thomas Abercrombie (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals) was New Zealand’s leading scorer. Martin was named Grand Final MVP as Perth defeated the Breakers 75-52 to claim its seventh NBL championship.

2017/18
After a year outside of the NBL, Vague re-joined Perth in 2017. Following consecutive championship seasons, Perth re-signed Grand Final MVP Bryce Cotton but lost Casey Prather (to Melbourne), Jameel McKay (to Spain) and Shawn Redhage (retired). Devondrick Walker (via Delaware) initially signed as Prather’s replacement, but fractured his left foot during the preseason and was replaced by JP Tokoto (via Rio Grande Valley) before playing a regular-season game. Derek Cooke Jr (via Northern Arizona) replaced McKay, while Lucas Walker was elevated from training player to the full-time roster.

Rhys Vague (8 points) produced his best game of the season against Cairns on October 22, making both of his field goals, which were three-pointers, and two free throws in just over two minutes as the Taipans defeated Perth 90-69. Tokoto (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Cotton (12 points) led Perth, while Mitch McCarron (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Cairns’ leading scorer.

Vague (1.4 points across 14 games) remained a development player for a fourth season and received limited opportunities behind Perth’s experienced frontcourt. No injury was reported during the season, with his limited court time coming through his development-player role and team selection.

Matthew Knight brought forward his planned retirement in November after three early-season head knocks, with Clint Steindl (via Greece) signed as his replacement. Perth started 10-3 before injuries to Damian Martin and Greg Hire contributed to the Wildcats falling to 13-9 by mid-January. Following a 76-68 road win over Sydney on January 6, Vague joined Trevor Gleeson for Perth’s post-game press conference after Cotton (18 points and 4 assists) and Tokoto (14 points and 7 rebounds) led the Wildcats, while Jerome Randle (18 points) led Sydney.

Perth recovered to finish third with a 16-12 record, led by Cotton (19.5 points and 1.2 steals across 30 games), Tokoto (15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 30 games), Angus Brandt (9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Jesse Wagstaff (9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 29 games) and Lucas Walker (8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds across 30 games). Cotton was named NBL MVP and selected to the All-NBL First Team, Tokoto earned All-NBL Second Team honours and Martin (4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 28 games) won the NBL Best Defensive Player Award for a record sixth time.

Vague (2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) played the final two minutes of Perth’s opening semifinal against Adelaide as the 36ers defeated the Wildcats 109-74 behind Josh Childress (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Mitch Creek (20 points and 11 rebounds), while Cotton (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Perth. The 35-point defeat was Perth’s second-biggest finals loss in club history. Vague did not take the court in game two as Cotton (31 points and 3 assists), Tokoto (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Brandt (14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped Perth build an 18-point lead, but Childress (25 points and 11 rebounds), Creek (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Nathan Sobey (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Adelaide back to win 89-88 and complete the semifinal sweep.

2018/19
After finishing third with a 16-12 record and being swept 2-0 by Adelaide in the 2018 semifinals, Perth reshaped its roster. Matt Knight (retired), JP Tokoto (to Israel), Lucas Walker (to Cairns), Jarrod Kenny (to Cairns), Dexter Kernich-Drew (to Cairns) and Derek Cooke Jr (not retained) departed, while Bryce Cotton signed a new three-year deal. Nick Kay (via Illawarra), Mitch Norton (via Illawarra), Tom Jervis (via Brisbane) and import Terrico White (via Seoul) joined the Wildcats, while four-year development player Rhys Vague was elevated to the full-time roster.

His elevation followed a two-year deal signed in April after spending three seasons as a development player. After returning from a season with Dandenong in the SEABL, where he averaged 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists, he entered preseason looking to establish himself in Perth’s rotation. “It’s going to be huge to establish myself and show the coaches what I’ve improved on and what I can do now,” he said.

With five regular rotation players unavailable for Perth’s opening preseason game against Adelaide on September 7, the newly promoted forward finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds as Perth won 100-61. Trevor Gleeson said, “I thought Rhys was really good. He’s been in our system for a while now and it’s time for him to take that opportunity and run with it.”

Perth later travelled to the United States, suffering a 130-72 loss to the Utah Jazz before producing a much stronger performance in a 96-88 loss to the Denver Nuggets, with Gleeson later citing the Utah defeat as a catalyst for the Wildcats’ season.

Perth opened the regular season in Adelaide on October 11, where the newly promoted forward scored 3 points in his first game as a fully contracted Wildcat as Perth defeated the 36ers 99-91 behind Cotton (22 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and White (20 points), while Daniel Johnson (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block) led Adelaide. VIDEO: Rhys Vague celebrates his promotion to Perth’s main roster with a dunk against Adelaide

Vague (2 points across 33 games) became a regular member of Perth’s bench rotation in his first season on the full roster, appearing in all 28 regular-season games and five of the Wildcats’ six playoff games. He did not miss a regular-season game through injury.

One of his first major performances came in Brisbane on October 25, where Vague (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) produced his highest score of the opening month in a 100-96 loss to the Bullets. White (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Cotton (17 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth, while Cameron Bairstow (18 points) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Vague (5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) then produced one of his most complete games against New Zealand on November 3 as Perth defeated the Breakers 92-78, with Cotton (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Steindl (17 points) leading the Wildcats, while Tai Wesley (22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand. The game also saw Perth field four West Australian players in the same game for the first time since 1994, with Vague part of the group.

Perth surged to a 10-1 start before injuries began to disrupt the rotation. Martin (5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 28 games) missed six games with a right calf tear, while Brandt (8 points and 5.5 rebounds across 31 games) missed three games after re-injuring an ankle originally hurt while playing for the Australian Boomers. Perth lost eight of its next ten games and fell to 12-9 by mid-January, but despite increasing pressure to make roster changes or activate a third import, Gleeson backed the existing group while Vague remained available throughout the downturn.

Vague’s best game of the season came against Adelaide on January 17, where he was promoted to the starting five for the first time and finished with a season-high 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block in a career-high 25 minutes. White (24 points and 4 rebounds) and Brandt (11 points) provided Perth’s other main scoring as Adelaide defeated the Wildcats 97-84 behind Demitrius Conger (18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block). Despite Perth having lost eight of ten games, Vague said after the loss, “I’m super confident in our team that we’re going to make the play-offs.”

With the rotation returning to health, Perth recovered from its mid-season slump and returned to the top of the ladder. Cotton (21.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 31 games) led the NBL in scoring, while White (17 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games) was Perth’s second-leading scorer and Kay (14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 34 games) produced a career-best season. Norton (8.3 points across 27 games), Steindl (6.9 points across 34 games) and Wagstaff (5.6 points across 34 games) provided further depth alongside Martin and Brandt. Cotton finished third in MVP voting and joined Kay on the All-NBL First Team, while Vague was later named Perth’s Most Improved Player at the club’s end-of-season awards.

Perth closed the regular season against Melbourne on February 17, where Vague (0 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) played ten minutes as Kay (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Wagstaff (12 points) led the Wildcats, while DJ Kennedy (21 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) powered United to an 81-70 overtime victory. Despite the loss, Perth finished first with an 18-10 record and secured its 33rd consecutive postseason appearance.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Brisbane at RAC Arena, where Vague (0 points and 1 rebound) saw limited minutes as Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and White (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats to an 89-59 victory, while Cameron Gliddon (18 points and 4 rebounds) and Matt Hodgson (10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) were Brisbane’s best.

Game two moved to Brisbane, where Vague did not appear, his only missed game across Perth’s 34-game season, with no injury reported as the reason for his absence. White (24 points and 3 rebounds), Cotton (19 points and 10 assists) and Kay (16 points, 15 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Perth to an 84-79 victory, while Lamar Patterson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Hodgson (15 points and 2 blocks) led Brisbane as the Wildcats completed the semifinal sweep.

The Grand Final series opened at RAC Arena, where Vague (0 points) played briefly as White (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Brandt (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Cotton (10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) helped Perth defeat Melbourne 81-71, while Casper Ware (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Chris Goulding (15 points) led United.

Melbourne responded in game two with a 92-74 victory at Melbourne Arena, where Vague (4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block) played almost 13 minutes off the bench. Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and White (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth, while Ware (14 points), Goulding (14 points) and Kennedy (12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) helped United level the series 1-1.

Back in Perth for game three, Vague (1 point, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) contributed off the bench as White (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) made seven three-pointers and Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) controlled the offence in a 96-67 victory. Kennedy (13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and David Barlow (13 points and 5 rebounds) led Melbourne as Perth moved ahead 2-1.

Game four returned to Melbourne Arena, where Vague (0 points) saw limited minutes as Cotton (28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), White (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Perth, while Ware (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Barlow (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne. White was awarded the Larry Sengstock Medal after averaging 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across the Grand Final series, while Martin and Wagstaff became the first players to win five championships with the same club. Having previously experienced championships as a development player, Vague said, “This is surreal. It has so much more to it than when I was a DP. It’s just incredible.” Perth defeated Melbourne 97-84, won the series 3-1 and claimed its ninth NBL championship.

2019/20
After defeating Melbourne United 3-1 in the 2019 Grand Final to claim their ninth NBL championship, Perth focused on keeping its championship core together. Four-time championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson re-signed on a three-year deal, while Damian Martin, Jesse Wagstaff and import Terrico White also returned. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk was elevated from development player to the full roster to replace Greg Hire (retired), while Dario Hunt (via Belgium) and Majok Majok (via New Zealand) were added after Tom Jervis (retired) and Angus Brandt (to Europe) departed.

Perth opened its championship defence against Melbourne United at RAC Arena on October 5, where Vague (6 points and 4 rebounds) played 14 minutes off the bench as the Wildcats won 94-93. Bryce Cotton (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and White (20 points and 2 steals) led Perth, while Melo Trimble (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) was Melbourne’s best. White hit the game-winning three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining as Perth closed the game on a 12-2 run.

Vague (2 points across 27 games) entered the second and final season of the two-year deal he had signed in 2018 after being elevated from development player to Perth’s full roster. Vague appeared in 25 of Perth’s 28 regular-season games and later twice during the playoffs, with no injury-related absence reported during the season. He later explained his limited opportunities, saying, “I wasn’t really cracking the rotation a whole lot, because I was playing behind great players like Nick Kay and Jesse Wagstaff.”

Vague’s best game of the season came against the previously undefeated South East Melbourne Phoenix on October 25, where Vague (12 points and 3 rebounds) made four of six field-goal attempts and two of three three-pointers as Perth won 110-79 at RAC Arena. White (17 points) and Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) led the Wildcats alongside him, while Jaye Crockett (12 points) was South East Melbourne’s leading scorer. Perth made 15 three-pointers, every Wildcat who took the court scored and a 23-point halftime lead helped the team record its highest score of the season.

The Wildcats started the season 5-1 before slipping to 8-5 by Round 10, then responded with four consecutive victories to close December with a 13-6 record. Martin (3.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) played his 300th game for Perth during December before a left heel injury sidelined him throughout January.

After consecutive losses to begin 2020, Perth released Hunt (8.6 points and 6 rebounds across 21 games) and replaced him with seven-year NBA veteran Miles Plumlee (via Zhejiang Lions). Plumlee (8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds across 12 games) needed to appear in each of Perth’s seven remaining regular-season games to qualify for the playoffs, with his arrival highlighted by Plumlee (23 points, 18 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helping Perth defeat New Zealand 80-79 on January 25. Cotton (23 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Kay (20 points and 11 rebounds) provided support, while Brandon Ashley (21 points and 12 rebounds) led the Breakers. Plumlee became the first Wildcat since 2007 to record more than 20 points and 15 rebounds in a game.

Vague (0 points and 2 rebounds) played six minutes in Perth’s final regular-season game against Adelaide, where the Wildcats won 94-79 behind Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Plumlee (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), while Daniel Johnson (18 points and 11 rebounds) led the 36ers. Perth won six of its final seven games to finish second with a 19-9 record and qualify for the playoffs for a 34th consecutive season.

Cotton (22.6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 32 games) won his second NBL MVP award and became the first import to lead the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons, while Kay (15.9 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 33 games) joined him on the All-NBL First Team. White (15 points and 3.6 rebounds across 30 games), Clint Steindl (9.6 points across 32 games), Mitchell Norton (6.8 points across 33 games) and Wagstaff (5.8 points across 33 games) completed Perth’s main rotation.

Vague did not take the court as Perth opened its semifinal series against Cairns with a 108-107 overtime victory at RAC Arena. Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) made 10 three-pointers to tie the NBL finals record and Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) also starred, while Scott Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists) and DJ Newbill (25 points) led Cairns.

Game two moved to Cairns, where Vague (0 points in 54 seconds) made his first appearance of the postseason as the Taipans defeated Perth 85-74. Steindl (18 points and 3 rebounds) and White (13 points and 4 rebounds) led the Wildcats, while Cameron Oliver (22 points and 19 rebounds) and Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped Cairns tie the series at 1-1.

Back at RAC Arena for game three, Vague did not take the court as Perth defeated Cairns 93-82 behind White (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), while Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns. Perth won the series 2-1 and advanced to its 15th NBL Grand Final.

Vague did not play in game one of the Grand Final at Qudos Bank Arena, where Perth defeated Sydney 88-86 in front of 11,647 fans. Cotton (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led the Wildcats, while Andrew Bogut (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Kevin Lisch (17 points) led Sydney as Perth took a 1-0 series lead.

With the developing COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the remainder of the Grand Final series being played behind closed doors, Vague (0 points and 2 rebounds in 1:13) played during the closing stages of game two as Sydney defeated Perth 97-83 at an empty RAC Arena. Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Perth, while Jae’Sean Tate (20 points), Bogut (19 points and 14 rebounds) and Lisch (19 points) led Sydney to tie the series at 1-1.

Vague did not take the court in game three at Qudos Bank Arena, where Perth defeated Sydney 111-96 behind Cotton (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists), who made seven three-pointers. Tate (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Brad Newley (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as Perth moved ahead 2-1. Sydney subsequently withdrew from the series amid concerns surrounding COVID-19 and uncertainty over travel restrictions, leading the NBL to cancel the remaining two games before Perth was officially awarded its tenth NBL championship two days later, giving Vague his fourth championship with the Wildcats.

Following the season, Vague entered free agency looking for a larger role and signed with Kagawa Five Arrows in Japan. “It was a childhood dream to play for the team I grew up supporting,” Vague said at the time of leaving Australia to play for the Kagawa Five Arrows.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
2023/24
South East Melbourne entered a new era after a 15-13 season ended with a 106-99 Play-In Qualifier loss to Perth, with Mike Kelly replacing Simon Mitchell as head coach. Kyle Adnam (to Sibiu), Trey Kell III (to Adelaide), Ryan Broekhoff (retired) and Dane Pineau (to New Zealand) departed, while Kelly added Gorjok Gak (via Brisbane), Matt Kenyon (via Tasmania), Ben Ayre (via Cairns), Rhys Vague (via Kagawa), Craig Moller (via Germany) and import Will Cummings (via China) around returning leaders Mitch Creek, Alan Williams and Gary Browne. Williams suffered a knee injury during the preseason, leading to Tyler Cook joining as an injury replacement.

After spending three seasons with Kagawa in Japan, Vague returned to the NBL on a two-year deal with South East Melbourne and reunited with Kelly, who had previously coached him within the Australian Boomers program. Vague had averaged 12.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists during his final season in Japan before returning to Australia.

“Rhys brings a lot of qualities that we are looking for. He’s 6 foot 9 and super long, shoots the ball very well, really good person, will get along with his teammates well, but also has this kind of quiet determination or quiet toughness about him, and he’s not afraid to get physical,” Kelly said on signing Vague.

“I think he is going to be great in that four spot, backing up Mitch (Creek) and occasionally being able to play a little bit of that five,” he added.

South East Melbourne opened NBL24 against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on September 28, where Vague (1 rebound) played eight minutes off the bench in an 82-67 loss. Ayre (17 points) and Cummings (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led the Phoenix, while Travers (20 points and 8 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best.

Vague (3.1 points across 27 games) appeared in 27 of South East Melbourne’s 28 games, averaging 12.8 minutes and making three starts as Kelly primarily used him off the bench at the four and occasionally at centre.

Vague’s best game came against Brisbane at John Cain Arena on October 21, where Vague (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist) made three of four three-pointers in 15 minutes as South East Melbourne defeated the Bullets 96-73. Williams (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ayre (16 points and 3 rebounds) led the Phoenix, while Sobey (14 points and 7 rebounds) was Brisbane’s best.

Injuries and roster changes continued throughout the season. Cook (13.3 points and 7 rebounds across 3 games) departed when Williams (16.7 points and 10.9 rebounds across 15 games) returned, while Moller (6.2 points and 5.3 rebounds across 12 games) suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture. Gak (5.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 17 games) missed time with a calf injury, leading to Daniel Johnson (3.7 points across 3 games) joining temporarily. Cummings (14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) was released in December and replaced by Abdel Nader (14.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 8 games).

Creek (20.8 points and 6.7 rebounds across 23 games) remained South East Melbourne’s leading scorer, earning All-NBL Second Team honours and winning his fifth consecutive club MVP award, while Williams led the NBL in rebounding despite playing only 15 games. Browne (13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 20 games) remained the team’s primary playmaker when healthy, with Ayre (10.7 points across 27 games) enjoying a breakout season.

Despite originally signing for two seasons, Vague’s time with the Phoenix ended after NBL24, with the club announcing in March that he would not return for the second year of his deal.

South East Melbourne closed the season against Sydney at John Cain Arena on February 17, where Vague (7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 20 minutes as the Phoenix suffered a club-record 122-67 defeat. Foxwell (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Creek (13 points and 3 rebounds) led South East Melbourne, while Hogg (25 points and 7 rebounds) was Sydney’s best as the Phoenix finished last with a 10-18 record.

Rhys Vague played six seasons in the NBL, playing for both the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Perth Wildcats. He averaged 2.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 107 NBL games.