South East Melbourne coach Josh King has been reunited with American point-guard Omari Moore, who has signed a one-year deal with the NBL club.
Moore is the Phoenix's first import signing for the 2025/26 campaign as they look to build on last season's third-place finish and semi-finals series appearance.
The 24-year-old Californian is coming off a season with Darüşşafaka in the Turkish Basketball Super League, where he briefly played under King.
King left Turkey to take up the vacant South East Melbourne coaching role last October and engineered a stunning turnaround after the club's 0-5 start to the season under Mike Kelly.
Phoenix general manager of basketball operations Simon Mitchell said Moore's size and versatility would make him a tough match-up for opposition teams this season.
"It's great to have a player of that size who can be your primary ball handler and decision-maker, but also swing to other positions when required," Mitchell said.
"His size also allows him to defend at multiple positions.
"Omari is extremely skilled, exceptional in the open court, and that will no doubt translate to the Australian game, which we're excited about."
Moore joins Australian players Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Owen Foxwell, Akech Aliir, Gorjok Gak, DJ Mitchell, Malique Lewis and Daniel Foster on the Phoenix roster.
Across town, Melbourne United have confirmed the signing of American guard Milton Doyle on a one-year deal.
Doyle played 96 NBL games over three seasons with the Tasmania JackJumpers, including the expansion club's historic 2023/24 championship series win over United.
"I'm very excited, it's a new journey for me," Doyle said.
"Playing against Melbourne throughout my career in the NBL has been great, a lot of rivalries going on, so getting the chance to play with these guys that I've been going against is going to be fun.
"I knew I wanted to be in the NBL with a team that makes a push every season to go deep in the playoffs, that shows professionalism, grind,and has a winning mentality.
"Melbourne has all of that, so it was exciting to get a call."
Doyle, 31, previously spent time in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets before moving to Europe and then Australia.
He is currently in Puerto Rico playing for Indios de Mayaguez.
Doyle is Melbourne's first import signed for the upcoming season, joining Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Finn Delany, Tanner Krebs, Kyle Bowen, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson and Dash Daniels as rostered players.
