European playmaker Velička signs with Bullets

Lithuanian point guard Arnas Velička has signed with the Brisbane Bullets for Hungry Jack's NBL27.

Regarded as one of Europe's premier floor generals, Velička has twice finished as the Euro Cup's leading assist provider. He first achieved the feat with German Bundesliga outfit Niners Chemnitz in 2023 before repeating it with Lithuanian side Neptūnas last season.

The 6'5" playmaker arrives in Brisbane following an MVP-winning season with the club, averaging 14.4 points, 7.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 41 per cent from three-point range.

He became just the second local player in the past seven years to claim the Lithuanian Basketball League Most Valuable Player award. Two years earlier, he played a key role in guiding Rytas Vilnius to the league championship.

On the international stage, Velička has represented Lithuania in both FIBA Basketball World Cup and EuroBasket qualifying campaigns, earning selection in Lithuania's final squad for EuroBasket 2025.

He announced himself on the international basketball stage during Lithuania's quarter-final victory over Latvia at that tournament, recording 21 points and 11 assists to earn Player of the Game honours in the fiercely contested Baltic Derby.

Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations, Will Weaver, said Velička's ability to control a game and elevate those around him made him a natural fit for the Bullets.

“Arnas is a winner because he makes everyone around him better,” Weaver said.

“He is tough, versatile, true point guard who loves defending and passing, but that doesn’t take away from his immense scoring ability.

“He had many great opportunities offered him from all over the world but he believes we are the place that can help him to achieve his goal of playing at the very highest level possible.”

Velička first emerged as one of Europe's brightest young prospects while representing his hometown club, Žalgiris Kaunas, at the 2016 Adidas Next Generation Tournament before earning MVP honours at the Basketball Without Borders camp in Finland.

The Lithuanian subsequently joined the renowned youth program of Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona and has since built an impressive professional résumé across France, Italy, Germany, Estonia and Lithuania, establishing himself as one of the continent's most respected guards.