Cook leading Bullets scoring but just as focused on defence

Keandre Cook is 10 games into his career in the NBL and is leading the scoring already for the Brisbane Bullets while shooting the three ball at almost 40 per cent, but it's impacting at the defensive end he takes just as much pride in.

Cook has taken no time fitting in to his first season in the NBL at the Bullets currently averaging 16.7 points a game over the opening 10 matches going into the FIBA window for Brisbane following the win at home to Perth, and now ahead of a rematch with the Wildcats this coming Friday night.

The 27-year-old is now on his first foray down under having had stints playing in the G League, and then in Hungary, France, North Macedonia and most recently Germany before signing on at the Bullets for NBL25 since coming out of Missouri State University.

Cook made his mark immediately to start his NBL career at HoopsFest in Perth when he almost shot the Bullets to a stunning comeback win over the New Zealand Breakers on his way to 25 points with 5/9 three-point shooting.

Since then he continued to lead the way for the Bullets in the scoring department including back-to-back 23-point showings against Melbourne United and the Tasmania JackJumpers where he combined to go 8/18 from downtown in those performances.

He also hit another four three-pointers in the last game for the Bullets prior to the FIBA window for 17 points to now be averaging 16.7 points a game this season on the back of shooting 41.5 per cent overall from the field, 38.6 from three-point range and 95.5 at the free-throw line.

Not only is Cook putting up impressive shooting and scoring numbers, but he's also showing he's a man for the big moments with a lot of his shots coming at crucial moments in games.

That's something he has always enjoyed to have the ball in his hands when it matters most, and he is thankful to his new teammates at the Bullets for having that faith in him to get him the ball in the right spots.

"I enjoy that a lot being in that position to take the big shots at the big moments, and my teammates do a great job of finding me," Cook said.

"I can get a hot hand and I know I can shoot the ball really well, but can also do a lot of good things with the basketball in my hand.

"It's just hats off to my teammates for always finding me and getting me to my spots, and having the confidence in me that I can knock those shots down."

As much as Cook has proven himself a lethal offensive weapon already 10 games into his NBL career, he does also pride himself on his defence and his ability to get his hands in the passing lane has become one of his strengths.

Cook has pulled off 19 steals in those 10 games this season and then once he gets in the open floor, he has proven himself unstoppable too and his defence is something he has always taken tremendous pride in.

"I definitely want to be a two-way player and I've always wanted to be a two-way player," Cook said.

"I have the physical capabilities to do a lot of great things on defence with the physical length that I have, and the defensive IQ.

"I try to hang my hat on being aggressive on defence as much as I am on offence to be a two-way player for us."