16
Sep
Player Movement
Phoenix axe import days out from season
Vrenz Bleijenberg of the Phoenix passes during the 2025 NBL Blitz match between Sydney Kings and South East Melbourne Phoenix at AIS Arena on August 31, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.
The Phoenix have dropped a bombshell, axing their import days out from the start of NBL26.
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South East Melbourne Phoenix have made the bombshell decision to cut ties with Belgian import Vrenz Bleijenberg just four days before their first game of the NBL season, report Matt Logue and Mick Randall from CODE Sports.
Bleijenberg, a 211cm 24-year-old centre, was ejected from the Phoenix preseason game last Friday against Ryukyu Golden Kings after allegedly making comments directed at the referee.
“Make a bloody call, you bitch,” Bleijenberg is alleged to have told referee Mark Grist in comments caught on the broadcast.
Bleijenbergh denied he said those words to the referee when contacted by Code Sports.
“I’m a professional and I like to keep things clear,” he said.
“First sentence I said was in my own language and second I said ‘that’s a bumass call’.
“Nothing to do with ‘bitch’.
“I’m all good with SEM, they kept it all professional.
“Had a great vibe with my teammates and almost all staff members.
“I loved being here, loved the club and I do like the city a lot.
“Also if I don’t fly out to my next team yet I will be attending the game on Saturday.
“No bad blood at all, just an unfortunate situation.“
Read the full article on Code Sports here
It’s understood the Phoenix are going through the process of terminating Bleijenberg’s contract and are set to release a statement in the coming days.
Code Sports understands there have been concerns around his on-court demeanour and it was a “captain’s call” to part ways with the big ahead of Saturday’s season opening clash with Cairns Taipans at John Cain Arena.
The silver lining for the Phoenix here is that, while it is a shake-up to the roster, the decision has been made before a ball has been bounced on NBL26, giving them ample time to make adjustments.
It will also allow the club to wait until NBA pre-season ends on October 17 and teams make their cuts ahead of opening rosters being set on October 20.
That can result in desperation times for many fringe NBA players unable to secure contracts in the US who will then be looking overseas for job security.
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