Not that it’s felt like it, but South East Melbourne have finally solved their open roster spot situation, signing American power forward Brandon Ashley as their third import player.
Ashley, 27 years old, joins the Phoenix after a stint in Italy playing for Fortituto Kontatto Bologna, as well as playing 15 games for the G League Ignite, a developmental team associated with the NBA’s G League.
🔒 We’ve signed 206cm American power forward Brandon Ashley for the remainder of the NBL22 season. 🇺🇸💚 @_Bash21
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) January 10, 2022
📰 Story: https://t.co/ZJJsuRZ4UM pic.twitter.com/rSVdq1xl6E
The last time NBL fans saw Ashley was in 2020, when he played with the New Zealand Breakers during the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 10.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, finishing sixth on the ladder.
Ironically, his NBL debut season coincided with that of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, the team which he would go on to join.
Brandon Ashley appreciation post (Shot still isn't quite there from Kuminga, though the framework is coming along). pic.twitter.com/JQiAE2b91l
— Halbridious (@Halbridious) February 27, 2021
Ashley joins the team to replace Devin Thomas, who had his contract terminated following multiple breaches of the team's code of conduct.
Thomas failed to play even a minute in the NBL, but that has not stopped the Phoenix from surging, currently placed second on the NBL ladder with three wins and only one loss.
For a team already sporting tremendous talent - both in fellow imports Xavier Munford and Zhou Qi, and homegrown players Mitch Creek and Ryan Broekhoff - the addition of Ashley is certain to give the Phoenix an edge off of the bench and make them that much harder to guard.
South East Melbourne coach Simon Mitchell credits Ashley’s experience and conditioning as key reasons that the Phoenix called on him to round out their squad.
“[Ashley] has NBL experience which always helps, especially with bigs as they tend to need a period of time adjusting to the style of the league and how things are called. He has been through this, experienced it and will be better for it,” Mitchell said.
“He brings us increased depth to our frontline. He has great length, athleticism and can guard most guys in the league on the perimeter. He can excel in multiple pick and roll coverages, protects the rim and is a difficult proposition to score over or through. He is above the rim, has good hands-on short rolls and an efficient operator. I think he will have the ability to thrive in our system at both forward and centre.
“We need him to hit the ground running.”
Ashley is expected to join the team immediately, meaning that if all goes to plan he will be available for the Phoenix’s January 15 clash against the Brisbane Bullets.