Ryan Broekhoff will remain a member of the South East Melbourne Phoenix after signing a two-year deal that will see him play for his hometown NBL club until 2023.

The Frankston junior joined the Phoenix in the middle of the NBL21 season after playing two seasons in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks.

Over 59 games with the Dallas Mavericks, he averaged 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 10.7 minutes and shot 40.3 per cent from three-point range.

He also spent a pre-season with the Philadelphia 76ers before COVID-19 stalled his chances of regaining a place in last year’s NBA season.

The 30-year-old deciding to stay in South East Melbourne is a huge coup for the club who will start their upcoming third season with a core group of Broekhoff, Mitch Creek, Kyle Adnam, Dane Pineau, Cam Gliddon and Reuben Te Rangi was a major coup for not only the Phoenix but the entire NBL, and his recommitment is another landmark moment in the club’s short history.

“I’m excited to resign with the Phoenix. Having stability in my professional career is very important to me and I’m looking forward to rejoining the boys and improving from last season,” Broekhoff said.

Broekhoff averaged 7.6 points, and 3.5 rebounds after arriving mid-season to the Phoenix and playing in 16 contents. Although his play was limited due to his return from injury and starting the season in a bench role the sharpshooting forward never lost his stroke, maintaining a 39% hit rate from beyond the three-point line.

Broekhoff’s move was influenced by having a young family, his son Jackson is just starting Kindergarten and having a home base for his early development made the decision to continue playing for Phoenix an easy one.

“I’ve just really enjoyed my time since returning home and being around this club,” he said.

“I love the team, my teammates, everyone from the coaches to front office. It’s a fun team to be around, it’s a fun group. We enjoy each other’s company and that’s pretty special.

“It’s been a great experience coming back and helping the team grow. It’s such a young club but you see the excitement and the buzz in what we’re building towards, so I’m really excited to be a part of that for the next two years.

“I’m looking to build on some (physical) continuity and hopefully string some good games together going forward. I’ve got to clean some things up and hit some shots and hopefully help the team win some more games.”

Broekhoff last week advised Basketball Australia that he would not join the Olympic squad in the USA for the final selection camp ahead of the Olympic Team announcement in early July. The decision came after he decided it was time to focus on his mental health.

“For me to play at my best I need to be mentally and physically firing, and I’m not there right now,” he said, “My mental health is something I have struggled with for a long time and I think it’s important for me to put my hand up and admit when things aren’t ok and that it is time to seek help.”

Broekhoff felt welcomed the minute he walked through the door at the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

“I really love this team, the players the coaches and the front office it has been a great experience coming back. I’ve felt supported by the entire club and I know that will continue,” he said.

Broekhoff has already made his presence felt in the South East Melbourne community and is passionate about growing the game in the area.

“It’s amazing what the club has been able to achieve in two years,” he said.

“The amount of support in the community and the outreach programs the club do are great at bringing everyone together and getting down to the Heartland of basketball.

Dan Boyce (837 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.