Former Arizona commit Terry Armstrong is the latest American player to jump to Australia’s NBL.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Flint, Mich., followed R.J. Hampton and LaMelo Ball Down Under and will play for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in its inaugural NBL Season.
Armstrong announced June 19 he would forego college although at that point he did not announce where he would play next. Now he has.
“The NBL is one of the most competitive leagues in the world,” Armstrong told ESPN. “Australia has a rabid fan base and a proven track record of putting players in the NBA. In addition, there is a strong focus on development and a season which consists of 32 games which lends itself to more developmental rigor. I’ll have a chance to train with some of the best professional coaches and trainers in the world, so that is a very attractive situation for me.”
z tion and team.”
Phoenix Head Coach Simon Mitchell said: “I love what I am hearing about his personality and work ethic. I love that he is from Flint, a tough working-class town. He will be at home in South East Melbourne.”
“We are super excited to be working with a young man of his
talent and feel like we have great leaders for him to work under who can
teach him to be a pro in Madgen, Gibson, Wesley and Creek, it’s the
perfect situation for a young man wanting to learn on the job.”
Hungry Jack’s NBL Chief Executive Jeremy Loeliger: “We’re thrilled to welcome Terry to the NBL as our third Next Star for this season.
“Recently we saw Brian Bowen II sign a two way contract with Indiana Pacers after his season with the Sydney Kings as the NBL’s inaugural Next Star.
“To have players of the talent of RJ Hampton, LaMelo Ball and now Terry Armstrong decide they want to play in the NBL is tremendous endorsement of the league and its standing as one of the premier basketball leagues in the world outside of the NBA.”
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Armstrong played at Bella Vista Prep and is ranked No. 40 in both the ESPN 2020 mock draft and the 2019 ESPN 100. In 2018, Armstrong averaged 20.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, and shot over 45 percent, in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. Armstrong’s decision to join Phoenix was announced on ESPN’s The Jump in the U.S. Phoenix General Manager Tommy Greer said: “We are very excited to have a player of Terry’s quality join the Phoenix for our first year in the NBL. “It was important for us to identify a Next Star who could come in and contribute straight away but would also fit our no-nonsense culture. “Just as exciting he was in a position to choose where he wanted to play and he chose us, which is a big vote of confidence in the culture we are building within our organiWe’re excited to announce that 2020 NBA Draft Prospect, @TerryTerry25, will be joining the Phoenix as an #NBLNextStar
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) July 5, 2019
This is going to be good ?#RiseUpPhoenix #Heartland
