South East Melbourne Phoenix gets Next Star in Terry Armstrong
The NBL gets its third Next Star for the coming season. NBA prospect Terry Armstrong will be committing to the South East Melbourne Phoenix in its debut NBL season.
A 6’6’’ shooting guard from Flint, Michigan, Armstrong had previously committed to Arizona University but decided to start his professional career early with the NBL.
Armstrong will join the Illawarra Hawks’ LaMelo Ball and the SKY Sport New Zealand Breakers’ RJ Hampton in the NBL's Next Stars program, which continues to establish itself as an alternative pathway to the NBA draft.
Armstrong's commitment was discussed on by ESPN's The Jump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GgsMpnonW0
The 18-year-old played high school basketball at Bella Vista Prep and is rated among the top guard prospects in the US, currently 40th in both the ESPN 2020 mock draft and the ESPN 100 recruits.
According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Armstrong is a legitimate NBA prospect, and is known as a "tough, aggressive and versatile scorer standing 6-7 with long arms, wide shoulders and good athletic ability that allow him to play either the shooting guard or small forward positions."
In 2018, Armstrong starred in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, averaging 20.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, and shot over 45 per cent from the field.
https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1147282257322921984
Phoenix GM Tommy Greer is very excited at Terry's addition to the team, and compliments the guard's potential fit within the team.
“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 organisation and team.”
Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell expresses enthusiasm about Armstrong's work ethic and talent. “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.”
The South East Melbourne Phoenix will play in the coming NBL 2019/20 season.