Basket rumors

South East Melbourne Phoenix has landed one of the biggest fish in the 2020 NBL free agency period, signing Australian Boomer Cam Gliddon.

Gliddon joins Boomers teammate Mitch Creek at the Phoenix on a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old won gold for Australia at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Games and was a member of the fourth-placed FIBA World Cup team last year.

Gliddon joins the Phoenix following stints at Brisbane and Cairns. The Bullets and Gliddon mutually agreed to part ways during the off-season.

Renowned as one of the premier shooters in the league, the Western Australian will likely take the mantle as the Phoenix’s starting shooting guard for NBL21.

“I really liked what the Phoenix did last year. Everything I heard from Gibbo (Adam Gibson) and Kyle Adnam and Dane Pineau while I was at the Boomers was positive.

“I was really excited that they showed interest in me, and that the deal got done and I’m down here.”

Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer is delighted to add the Australian Boomer and star sharpshooter to their dynamic lineup.

“Signing the hottest free agent on the market is a significant coup for our club and an exciting prospect for our fans ahead of our second season.

“Anyone who has represented Australia at a World Cup is an elite talent and a huge addition to an NBL side. Cam will immediately make us stronger on both ends of the court and bring great basketball IQ and experience to our locker room.

“A constant in our recruiting focus from day one has been on great characters and Cam fits that bill perfectly. He’ll be loved by our community in the South East.”

Gliddon has forged a reputation as a clutch shot maker late in games, an important addition to the Phoenix puzzle as the team looks to resolve their close game heartbreaks last season.

The former NBL Rookie of the Year says the idea of building a championship team in the Heartland of basketball lured him to the club.

“Being in South East Melbourne, the biggest basketball hub in the country, you know the team’s going to be supported if you do the right things in the community and conduct yourselves the right way,” Gliddon said.

“I was pretty keen to get down here and be a part of that and help the team build.

Gliddon has just settled into Melbourne with his wife and baby daughter and will immediately join the team as they prepare for NBL21.

South East Melbourne’s roster now includes Gliddon, Mitch Creek, Dane Pineau, Kyle Adnam, Adam Gibson and Kendall Stephens.

The Adelaide 36ers have signed 2018 NBL Rookie of the Year Isaac Humphries on a two-year deal which sees the big man return from the NBA G-League where he has spent the past two seasons.

After his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, Humphries joined the Sydney Kings for the 2017/18 NBL season before moving on to play with the Erie Bayhawks and then the Lakeland Magic in the G-League.

The Atlanta Hawks signed Humphries for the end of the 2018/19 NBA season, which saw him suit up in five games in total.

The 22 year-old said he was excitement to get to Adelaide and begin working towards NBL21 with new coach Conner Henry.

“I’m really excited to get down to Adelaide and to get around my new teammates and to see the city, I also can’t wait to get started with Coach Henry I think we are putting together an excellent group of guys, I just can’t wait to get there to start!” Humphries said.

Henry praised Humphries’ skillset and his fit with the other players that are on the Sixers roster.

“He is a complete offensive five-man – he can play inside as a dominant scorer or stretch the floor out to three-point range.”

“Throughout the recruiting process, we identified Isaac as the ideal fit for our team, and with DJ next to him going forward we feel we just got a lot stronger in the front court. He is a quality young man, a high-level player, and has plenty of upside still to come. We couldn’t be happier to have him part of the 36ers team,” Henry concluded.

Adelaide’s roster for the coming season now includes Humphries, Daniel Johnson, Obi Kyei, Jack McVeigh, Alex Mudronja, Daniel Dillon, Brendan Teys and Next Stars signing Josh Giddey.

The Brisbane Bullets have secured the signature of one of Australia’s most promising young players with Tanner Krebs joining the club on a two-year deal.

Krebs, originally from Tasmania, has spent the past four seasons playing college basketball with the Saint Mary’s Gaels and has represented Australia at numerous levels in his junior career.

The 24-year-old started in all 33 games he played for Saint Mary’s in the 2019/20 season, averaging 30.1 minutes per game and scoring 9.1 points per game, the third highest on the team. He leaves the Gaels tied for second on the school’s all-time games played list (135) and fifth on the school’s all-time three-pointers made list (198).

Krebs also played for Australia at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championships, 2014 FIBA U19 Oceania Championships and the 2013 FIBA Oceania Pacific U18 Championships.

Bullets Head Coach Andrej Lemanis said: “I have always been a fan of Tanner’s game ever since I worked with him at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

“It’s been a pleasure following his growth at Saint Mary’s and I’m pleased that he has chosen to start his professional career with us.

“The way Tanner plays the game and his work ethic fit nicely with who we are as a team. Tanner has a tremendous desire to get better and I know he will give his all for the team – whether that be in practice, in games, in the locker room or making a positive difference in the community.

“He is an exciting addition for the Club. I look forward to him joining us soon and beginning the next stage in his basketball career together.”

Krebs said: “The reason I chose Brisbane was because I like the organisation and I like the people in charge.

“I have a really good relationship with Drej, I have known him since I was at the AIS. We have built a relationship over the years, so I felt comfortable going into the team with him coaching.

“I felt like Brisbane gave me the best opportunity to play and have an impact immediately.

The Hawks have announced the signing of Deng Deng for the 2020/21 Hungry Jack’s NBL season.

Deng played for the Sydney Kings in the 2018/19 season, appearing in 19 games for the club. He was signed by the New Zealand Breakers last season as an injury replacement player.

The 28-year-old has also played professionally in Poland, Lebanon, Finland, Qatar and America in the NBA G-League. Deng represented Australia in 2015 at the World University Games.

Hawks Head Coach Brian Goorjian said: “Deng will play an important role for The Hawks on and off the court next season.

“We believe he has yet to hit his full potential in the NBL and look forward to helping him reach it. Deng is sure to be a player Hawks fans will enjoy watching next season.”

Deng said: “It’s really good to be with Goorj and the whole new ownership. I’m really excited.

“I’ve known Goorj for quite a while now, I played under his brother Kevin Goorjian at Box Hill. I know what he brings to the table, (he’s a) Hall of Fame coach and the style of game he plays, so I’m excited to be playing for him.

“I’ve known Dorry (Kordahi) for a couple of years and I think the direction the club is going is really good.”

Deng joins Emmett Naar on The Hawks roster for the upcoming season, with more exciting player announcements to come.