Vrenz Bleijenbergh signs with the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the 2025–26 NBL season. The Belgian forward last played for Merkezefendi of the Basketbol Süper Ligi in Türkiye where he averaged 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He does this all at the height of 6’10”.

The Phoenix were not left reeling for long after the abrupt departure of their intended starting point guard, import Omari Moore, earlier in the week. They instead return to what is now becoming their familiar recruitment grounds of the Basketbol Süper Ligi to sign someone who played against Moore last season. Perhaps it was Phoenix head coach Josh King watching his former team Darüşşafaka play against Merkezefendi when he first noticed Bleijenbergh. If King had been watching on 29 March 2025, he would have seen Bleijenbergh post 20 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. A reminder that Bleijenbergh is a 6’10” forward.

The Phoenix even the score with Europe after losing Moore by recruiting a European who has effectively played his entire career in European leagues. He started his career with the Antwerp Giants of his home country in 2018 where he rose to being the team’s starter during his third season. Bleijenbergh fascinatingly only had a brief tenure in the United States when he was an early entrant in the 2021 NBA draft and returned after a stint with Real Betis in Spain to play three scoreless games with the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League. He has now spent the last two seasons with Merkezefendi and had a career-best year this past season.

Bleijenbergh is simply an archetype that has not been seen before in the league. A European playmaking forward. The Phoenix had made it clear that Moore was to be their starting point guard and it is greatly fascinating that they have effectively replaced him with an even taller playmaker. I had remarked in my post on Moore’s departure about how he would have created havoc amongst the league’s small guard line-ups; will Bleijenbergh be a match-up catastrophe purely by his ability to be taller than everyone? A reminder again that Bleijenbergh is a 6’10” forward!

This is an exciting signing. I look forward to seeing how the Phoenix shape the rest of their roster because it will show whether they really intend to use Bleijenbergh as their primary ball handler. Their only present point guard is local reserve Owen Foxwell. I really hope that they do it.

6’10”!