Latest news with #SouthSudanese-Australian
West Australian
23-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Lat Mayen: Perth Wildcats secure versatile two-way player on two-year deal
Perth have pulled off a recruiting raid of NBL rivals Adelaide, securing versatile two-way player Lat Mayen a day after announcing the signature of fellow 36er Sunday Dech. Mayen, a 206cm South Sudanese-Australian, is set to add flexibility to the Wildcats as they continue to build their roster for the post-Bryce Cotton era. The 26-year-old said he was 'super excited' to be heading west for what will be his third stop in three seasons, having begun his NBL journey at Cairns. 'With four of my oldest brothers living in Perth, it's going to make it a smooth transition,' Mayen said. 'I'm very excited to play for 'JR' (John Rillie) and in front of the Red Army instead of up against them. 'Perth will bring new challenges that I'm ready to take on.' Mayen and Dech join import duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler as well as veteran Jesse Wagstaff and reserve guard Elijah Pepper as the beginning of the Wildcats' core ahead of next season. Perth general manager Danny Mills said he was thrilled to bring in Mayen, who averaged 5.4 points and almost four rebounds per game at Adelaide last campaign. 'Lat is a gifted athlete who has great positional size which continues to add to the versatility we are building our NBL26 roster with,' Mills said. 'Over his three seasons in the NBL he has shown flashes of the two-way impact he can have on the court which is something that really excites us. 'We're confident that in our player-development focused environment here he will take the next step in his game and be a consistent contributor.'
Perth Now
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Making moves: Wildcats lure another 36er west
Perth have pulled off a recruiting raid of NBL rivals Adelaide, securing versatile two-way player Lat Mayen a day after announcing the signature of fellow 36er Sunday Dech. Mayen, a 206cm South Sudanese-Australian, is set to add flexibility to the Wildcats as they continue to build their roster for the post-Bryce Cotton era. The 26-year-old said he was 'super excited' to be heading west for what will be his third stop in three seasons, having begun his NBL journey at Cairns. 'With four of my oldest brothers living in Perth, it's going to make it a smooth transition,' Mayen said. 'I'm very excited to play for 'JR' (John Rillie) and in front of the Red Army instead of up against them. 'Perth will bring new challenges that I'm ready to take on.' Lat Mayen going up against the Wildcats in 2023. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Mayen and Dech join import duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler as well as veteran Jesse Wagstaff and reserve guard Elijah Pepper as the beginning of the Wildcats' core ahead of next season. Perth general manager Danny Mills said he was thrilled to bring in Mayen, who averaged 5.4 points and almost four rebounds per game at Adelaide last campaign. 'Lat is a gifted athlete who has great positional size which continues to add to the versatility we are building our NBL26 roster with,' Mills said. 'Over his three seasons in the NBL he has shown flashes of the two-way impact he can have on the court which is something that really excites us. 'We're confident that in our player-development focused environment here he will take the next step in his game and be a consistent contributor.'
West Australian
22-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Sunday Dech: Guard returns to Perth Wildcats on three-year NBL deal
Olympian and two-time NBL champion Sunday Dech says he can't wait to head 'back home' to Perth, with the Wildcats securing the hard-nosed guard on a three-year deal. Dech was a part of the 'Cats squad for titles in 2013-14 and 2018-19, with the South Sudanese-Australian enjoying success in the west after starting as a development player with his hometown team. Having had stops at Illawarra and Adelaide, and rising to become one of the NBL's best defensive guards, Dech is now back in Wildcats red to help add depth to the club's backcourt amid the exit of Bryce Cotton. 'When you grow up and it's your childhood team and then you end up playing for them, it's always something you dream of, coming in and finishing your career at the team where it all started,' Dech said. 'By no means am I close to finishing my career, but it is something that I'm excited and grateful that it's happened earlier, rather than later in my career. 'I had a really good foundation at the Cats with a lot of good veterans and a lot of people that I looked up to. 'Over my time in Adelaide and Illawarra, I've been able to gain a wealth of knowledge there as well. 'I'm looking forward to coming back and trying to use that to push our team forward as much as I can and I'm excited to be back home in the red and black.' Dech represented South Sudan at last year's Olympics, and was in the starting line-up for 14 games at the 36ers last season to help lead the side into the NBL's play-in tournament. Wildcats general manager Danny Mills described Dech as 'a respected leader throughout the league' who would give Perth's roster a big boost. 'He adds great size and depth on the wing, brings versatility on the defensive end, and his skill set offensively fits well with the core group of players we have returning.' Dech will be reunited with Jesse Wagstaff in Perth after the veteran recommitted for a 17th NBL season, while import duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have also been signed up as the Wildcats begin the post-Cotton era.
Perth Now
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Back on Dech! Title-winning Wildcat returns to Perth
Olympian and two-time NBL champion Sunday Dech says he can't wait to head 'back home' to Perth, with the Wildcats securing the hard-nosed guard on a three-year deal. Dech was a part of the 'Cats squad for titles in 2013-14 and 2018-19, with the South Sudanese-Australian enjoying success in the west after starting as a development player with his hometown team. Having had stops at Illawarra and Adelaide, and rising to become one of the NBL's best defensive guards, Dech is now back in Wildcats red to help add depth to the club's backcourt amid the exit of Bryce Cotton. 'When you grow up and it's your childhood team and then you end up playing for them, it's always something you dream of, coming in and finishing your career at the team where it all started,' Dech said. 'By no means am I close to finishing my career, but it is something that I'm excited and grateful that it's happened earlier, rather than later in my career. Dech as a Wildcat in 2019. Credit: Kelly Defina / Getty Images 'I had a really good foundation at the Cats with a lot of good veterans and a lot of people that I looked up to. 'Over my time in Adelaide and Illawarra, I've been able to gain a wealth of knowledge there as well. 'I'm looking forward to coming back and trying to use that to push our team forward as much as I can and I'm excited to be back home in the red and black.' Dech (right) with the Wildcats in 2019. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Dech represented South Sudan at last year's Olympics, and was in the starting line-up for 14 games at the 36ers last season to help lead the side into the NBL's play-in tournament. Wildcats general manager Danny Mills described Dech as 'a respected leader throughout the league' who would give Perth's roster a big boost. 'He adds great size and depth on the wing, brings versatility on the defensive end, and his skill set offensively fits well with the core group of players we have returning.' Dech will be reunited with Jesse Wagstaff in Perth after the veteran recommitted for a 17th NBL season, while import duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler have also been signed up as the Wildcats begin the post-Cotton era.
South China Morning Post
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The sleek new Melbourne Place hotel pays tribute to the Australian city's vibrant design and cultural scenes – and comes with thoughtful details and excellent coffee, too
What makes something Melbourne ? Stereotypes abound, of course. A propensity for wearing black and being pernickety about coffee. Moody cocktail bars and understated sophistication, compared to Sydney's flash. Melbourne is a city you need to uncover slowly – there's more beneath its gorgeous surface. And this is the case for its newest hotel, Melbourne Place, which opened last November. The eye-catching brickwork exterior of Melbourne Place hotel. Photo: Handout Advertisement Even at first glance, the hotel – situated on Russell Street in the central business district, close to the buzz of Collins Street, Little Collins Street and Flinders Lane precincts – has superb aesthetics. There's the striking exterior of glazed brickwork and a colour palette of terracotta, rust, teal and forest green, with wood panelling and retro-accented brickwork throughout. South Sudanese-Australian artist Atong Atem's work is on display in the hotel. Photo: Handout The hotel has a partnership with the Mars Gallery in the Windsor area of Melbourne, so the powerful, exuberant work of South Sudanese-Australian artist Atong Atem is featured in its lobby and corridors. The digital artwork above the reception desk, a 125-minute loop featuring the artist and her family, is especially joyful. Melbourne Place hotel, inspired by the spirit of the city. Photo: Handout But perhaps the most appealing thing about the 191-room, independent hotel (which includes surprisingly affordable, entry-level options called Everyday rooms; suites with deep and inviting baths; and a grand penthouse taking up the entire 14th floor, complete with a baby grand piano and dining seating for 12) is the thoughtfulness behind its design. Practically all the fixtures and bespoke furniture are from local suppliers, including Jardan (the nubby Joy Bear Chair is especially appealing), Sussex (bronze taps) and Aesop (bath and body products). The baby grand piano in the 14th floor penthouse. Photo: Handout What it feels like, actually, is very Melbourne. Which was the whole idea for the award-winning architects behind the design, Kennedy Nolan. 'The raison d'être of Melbourne Place was to create the hotel that Melbourne needs. While Melbourne is well served by global chains, there was no hotel brand created in [Melbourne] by Melburnians. And so Melbourne Place was created to reflect Melbourne's unique identity as a city of design, of culture, of hospitality and of major events,' says the firm's Patrick Kennedy.
