Basketball On The Internet.

PHAB PHOENIX duo Mitch Creek and Ryan Broekoff now will be missing from the NBL PreSeason Blitz when it tips off in Darwin on Friday, both recovering from minor injuries. And the Opals are 1-1 in pre-World Cup practice matches against Puerto Rico and China, with the championship in Sydney just over a week from tip-off.

South East Melbourne takes on the 2021-22 Blitz champion Adelaide 36ers on Friday, the rejuvenated Perth Wildcats on Monday and concludes its pursuit of the Loggins-Bruton Cup on Wednesday against the defending champion Sydney Kings.

Recovering from a minor hamstring strain, Broekhoff's place in the lineu[p will be taken by Owen Foxwell.

Creek, rehabbing his ankle injury, will have his spot in the team taken by Anzac Risetto.

IN practice matches this week ahead of the FIBA World Cup in Sydney from tomorrow-week, Australia has been impressive but still, not unexpectedly, a "work-in-progress".

The Opals whacked Puerto Rico 81-51 but suffered a 63-70 reversal against China.

No-one appears unduly excited or overly concerned, the games simply part of the preliminaries as the Opals build for their most important tournament in 22 years.

DAVID Barlow has announced his retirement as an NBL player, hanging up his boots on a 20-year career which saw him become a dual-Olympian and a five-time league champion, winning titles with Sydney Kings in 2004 and 2005, Melbourne Tigers in 2008 and Melbourne United in 2018 and 2021.

However it appears the retirement just didn't take and Barlow, who turns 39 next month, has signed a new deal with Melbourne United to continue this season.

There is a strong possibility he may dable with retirement again next year but he keeps himself in good nick so... who knows?