Echuca Pirates product Luke Rosendale achieved a remarkable milestone on Sunday, stepping onto the court to debut for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL, the top-tier of Australian Basketball.
The opportunity completes an incredible rise for the 22-year-old, who was only just promoted to a development list spot at the Phoenix ahead of the season.
Speaking to The Riv during pre-season, Rosendale was clear about his ambition, despite playing a development role.
“As cliché as it is, the goal is to get better,” Rosendale said.
“The development role is very clear; they see potential in you in the future.
“Selfishly, I want to play. I think, chuck me into any game and I’ll find a way to be productive and help the team win in any way possible.
And in just the second game of the season, that is exactly what Rosendale did, with head coach Mike Kelly injecting Rosendale into the game during the fourth quarter.
While playing just four minutes, the guard made his presence felt, putting up six points in the 110-99 win for the Phoenix over the Perth Wildcats.
Rosendale’s ascension through the ranks of Australian basketball has been rapid, earning grand final MVP honours in each of the Pirates 2018-19 and 2021-22 CBL triumphs, which earned him a move to the Bendigo Braves.
Starring for the Braves over the past two seasons in the NBL1 South competition, Rosendale averaged 16.1 points, 3.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds, as well as earning the Braves’ Defensive Player of the Year award, before making the move to the Phoenix.