Import centre Alan Williams will return to the Phoenix for two more seasons of NBL action, but during the off-season, the big man has made his way to Japan to play in the B. League with the Nagoya Dolphins.

Williams has joined the team late and will take part in the last two months of the season, having played his first three games for the Dolphins last week.

‘Big Sauce’ played his first game on March 15, where he tallied 10 points, six rebounds, one assist, two steals, and a block in 18 minutes on the floor in the loss against the Ryukyu Golden Kings. 

The Dolphins then played Osaka Evessa over the weekend in a two-game series and bounced back from losing against the Golden Kings with back-to-back wins.

In the first game, the Dolphins won by eight points, and Williams showcased his abilities in front of the home crowd at Park Arena Komaki, as he went on to have nine points, 16 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks in 23 minutes. He even produced a signature ‘Floating Saucer’ from the three-point line.

(Williams is playing with the Nagoya Dolphins in Japan during the NBL off-season.)

“It was my first home appearance in this section, and I am happy that I was able to feel the cheers of the fans. All of us played with great intensity and grabbed a win. We will fight together as a team so that we can continue to win tomorrow and the next match without slowing down this momentum!” Williams said via the Dolphins website after the win.

In the second game against Osaka, an undermanned Dolphins fought out a one-point victory. Williams scored 11 points, eight rebounds, and two assists to round out a successful weekend.

The Dolphins sit sixth on the ladder with 18 games left in the regular season and play their next game on Wednesday against the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

For regular updates on how our contracted players are performing during the NBL off-season, follow South East Melbourne Phoenix on social media or visit www.semphoenix.com.au

Phoenix Media (21/03/23)