The South East Melbourne Phoenix have put out an offer for their import point guard. Head coach Josh King must have been feeling surprisingly candid when he was speaking at a luncheon last week after he signed a three-year contract extension with the Phoenix. He claimed that the Phoenix are yet to decide how to fill their final three roster spots – if it will be two imports and one local or vice versa. He did indicate that one new signing will be a signifier.

We’ve decided to go with the guy that’s got the contract in hand. He’s a big point guard. He’s got a lot of experience, with about 100-plus NBA games on his belt. He’s played EuroLeague, and he’s played high-level European basketball, so I think it’s going to translate really nicely to the NBL if we’re able to get it across the line.

“Big point guard”. “100-plus NBA games”. “High-level European basketball”. A surprising amount of candidness. Could King really be open to reveal so much when the position is not yet confirmed? Through an extensive investigative effort, let us have a look at who fits the criteria.

Dante Exum

Big point guard: 6’5″
100-plus NBA games: 320
High-level European basketball: Barcelona and Partizan of EuroLeague in 2021–23

Now, King did not specify if the point guard with a contract was an import. Dante Exum has always had enough interest in the world to justify playing elsewhere but perhaps sitting out last season with another injury will be what brings him back to his home city. King would have been underplaying both the NBA games and the excitement around Exum being back in Australia so I do think this is unlikely … but not impossible.

Andrew Harrison

Big point guard: 6’6″
100-plus NBA games: 139
High-level European basketball: Khimki of EuroLeague in 2019

Out of all candidates, Andrew Harrison could be one of the most likely. He is aligned too perfectly with King’s descriptions. Harrison bounced around the same countries where King coached (Germany and Turkiyë albeit in different years) so there would be some level of familiarity with each other. He played last season for Mitteldeutscher in the German Basketball Bundesliga.

Frank Jackson

Big point guard: 6’3″
100-plus NBA games: 214
High-level European basketball: ASVEL of EuroLeague in 2023

Frank Jackson would be a stretch purely from the excessive number of NBA games played. There would also be an overemphasis of the European basketball factor; he only played a few games there before being released and then has spent the last three seasons in China which would odd to emit. Still, close enough but not anything definite.

Skylar Mays

Big point guard: 6’3″
100-plus NBA games: 105
High-level European basketball: Fenerbahce and Buducnost of EuroLeague in 2024–26

Alongside Harrison, Skylar Mays would be my second most likely candidate. Again, close alignment with the description given. They were also both in Turkiyë during the 2024–25 season before King left to join the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Mays or Harrison could be the one.

Emmanuel Mudiay

Big point guard: 6’3″
100-plus NBA games: 302
High-level European basketball: Žalgiris Kaunas of EuroLeague in 2021

Emmanuel Mudiay was in NBL contention via the Perth Wildcats last season so I thought him worthy of inclusion here. Of course, it would again only be through an understating of his NBA appearances and an overstating of his European experience. Mudiay has essentially been playing basketball part-time for the last three years by only playing in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional during the summer. Again, probably not likely.

Frank Ntilikina

Big point guard: 6’4″
100-plus NBA games: 321
High-level European basketball: Partizan and Olympiacos of EuroLeague in 2024–26

Frank Ntilikina would have to be driven by incredible forces to leave his native Europe where he has played for two of the top teams in the EuroLeague to move to Australia. He still fits the criteria so I did not wish to exclude him. Perhaps the most unlikely of all.

Edmond Sumner

Big point guard: 6’5″
100-plus NBA games: 161
High-level European basketball: BC Žalgiris of EuroLeague in 2023–24

Edmond Sumner has spent the last two seasons in China with his only other one season out of the NBA being in the EuroLeague. Something odd to gloss over then by saying that he only has high-level European experience. Another unlikely option.

Tyrone Wallace

Big point guard: 6’5″
100-plus NBA games: 112 games
High-level European basketball: Zalgiris Kaunas of EuroLeague in 2024–25

Tyrone Wallace fits the potential but is not to level of Harrison or Mays. He spent three seasons in Europe from 2022 to 2025 including with two teams in the same Turkish league where King was coaching. However, Wallace contemplated retirement in 2024 and then sat out the 2025–26 season. Despite only being 32, he would likely have to be pulled back in if he were to play again.

Rankings

High:
– Andrew Harrison
– Skylar Mays

Medium:
– Tyrone Wallace

Low:
– Dante Exum
– Frank Jackson
– Emmanuel Mudiay
– Frank Ntilikina
– Edmond Sumner