Bullets appoint Stu Lash as Head Coach

Stu Lash has put in the work in recent seasons to grow the Brisbane Bullets and now has been appointed as the new Head Coach to help the club take the next step forward to build on that growth.

As the Bullets' Senior Basketball Adviser over the past several seasons, Lash has been a driving force in building the basketball culture of the Bullets making him the ideal choice to now take on the role as Head Coach for the next three NBL seasons.

Before arriving at the Bullets, Lash had put together an impressive basketball resume including pivotal roles at the Memphis Grizzlies and the Denver Nuggets in the NBA, and brings with him enormous basketball knowledge and experience to the role as Head Coach.

With his background both in coaching and executive positions, Lash has all the tools to take the Bullets forward following the growth over the past two years both with the team on the court and away from the court including possessing the best facilities owned by a club in the NBL.

Chief Executive Officer Mal Watts has no question that Lash is the right person to take the Bullets to their goal of sustained success.

"This marks an exciting chapter for the Bullets as we take deliberate steps toward long-term success," Watts said.

"Stu Lash is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the club's roster and culture, as well as an elite basketball pedigree.

"Myself, along with our ownership, players and staff, firmly believe that Stu has the ability and mindset to unlock the full potential of the Bullets and lead the team to success both on and off the court."

On a coaching front, Lash was part of George Karl's staff when he was Head Coach at the Denver Nuggets with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee strongly endorsing him in the role with the Bullets.

"Stu brings high energy," Karl said.

"He was great with players, self-motivated and displayed strong traits as a teacher and natural leader."

Former NBA star and Bullets co-owner Kevin Martin also has strongly endorsed the appointment of Lash in the role as Head Coach.

"I have known Stu throughout my NBA journey, during his time both as a coach and an executive," Martin said.

"He is a talented basketball mind and a person of strong character, and I believe he will do a fantastic job leading the Bullets as our next Head Coach. This is a great get for the Bullets."

On top of the coaching history he has, Lash was a key driver of the Memphis Grizzlies working closely with Bullets Owner and Chairman, Jason Levien.

While Lash was working as an executive with the Grizzlies, they enjoyed a 64 per cent winning record during the regular season and won more NBA playoff games that at any other point in the history of the franchise.

That included the Grizzlies reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2013 and they were named the best sports franchise in North America by ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings in Lash's time in Memphis.

He has now become a key contributor in the Bullets growth in recent seasons as Senior Basketball Adviser and now is excited to take the leap into the Head Coach role.

"The Bullets have laid a strong foundation and I'm excited to build on that as we take the next step," Lash said.

"This club has the right pieces in place and now it's about bringing them together to elevate us for NBL25 and beyond.

"Over the past few years I've built strong relationships within the club and have a deep appreciation for the Bullets and the city of Brisbane, and the region of Queensland.

"We've got an incredible fan base, top-tier facilities and a talented roster. Now we'll take that next step together."