Off-Season Update - 11 June 2024

The past weekend was busy for our Brisbane Bullets stars during the current NBL off-season playing in the NBL1, overseas and preparing for Olympic and international campaigns.

Starting overseas, in the NZNBL Tohi Smith-Milner dominated against quality opposition, as his Wellington Saints defeated the Taranaki Airs 96-85. Smith-Milner finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocks as the Saints retained their spot in third on the ladder.

In the NBL1, Isaac White and the Mackay Meteor’s picked up three big wins, defeating Ipswich, South West Metro and Logan in an away triple header. An integral part of retaining Mackay’s top spot on the NBL1 North ladder, White had an outstanding weekend, averaging 27 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals per game.

On Saturday night, there were multiple Bullets players battling it out as Sam McDaniel and the Brisbane Capitals faced Mitch Norton and Tyrell Harrison’s Southern District Spartans. All three had strong performances in the match up, but it was the Capitals who took the 103-90 win.

For the Capitals, McDaniel finished with 22 points, five rebounds and six assists and for the Spartans Harrison had a 25 point, 13 rebound, double-double and Mitch Norton added 17 points, three assists and three steals.

Further North, Jush Kunen and the Cairns Marlins picked up a 90-82 win over Rockhampton. Kunen had eight points and seven rebounds in his fourth game back from college.

In the NBL1 East, Canberra and the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (CoE) featuring Kye Savage faced off twice over the weekend.

In the first game, the Canberra Gunners defeated CoE, 99-68.The following night CoE answered back in resounding fashion, handing the Gunners their second loss of the season, with an 85-76 victory. After six points and five rebounds in the loss, Kye Savage put together a strong performance in CoE’s win the following night, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Back overseas in France, Deng Adel’s season with Boulazec came to an end as his side came up just short in the Championship series against Stade Rochelais. Adel averaged eight points and three rebounds per game across the season and will now turn his attention to the South Sudan Bright Stars Olympic Campaign where he was named in the 25-man squad.

Tyrell Harrison will be travelling with the New Zealand Tall Blacks to Finland on 20 June, prior to heading to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece early July.

Rocco Zikarsky has been in the United States, invited to training camp with the Australian Boomers in Los Angeles. Zikarsky and Norton are also gearing up for upcoming fixtures representing Australia against Japan in 22-23 June.