Founded in 2018, South East Melbourne Phoenix joined the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2019-20 season as the league’s ninth franchise.
Their debut game, the first-ever ‘throwdown’, sparked an exciting crosstown rivalry with Melbourne United that remains fierce today. Phoenix clinched a thrilling 91-88 victory in front of a sold-out crowd at John Cain Arena, where both teams play the majority of their home games.
The following week, a record crowd for an NBL home debut watched the Phoenix defeat the Brisbane Bullets, marking the start of a new era for basketball in Melbourne.
Phoenix has continued to draw fans together across Melbourne, building a strong base and a culture of resilience.