Latest news with #Bullets
West Australian
30-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
ANA 2025: Shooting star Te Paea Keremete puts Narrikup in cruise control as battling Bullets come up short
ANA 2025: Shooting star Te Paea Keremete puts Narrikup in cruise control as battling Bullets come up short
Perth Now
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
NBA champion Alex Ducas returning to Australia
Australian NBA champion Alex Ducas has signed a one-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets in a major coup for their NBL rebuild. Part of Oklahoma City's 2024/25 championship-winning roster, 24-year-old Ducas had been linked with the Bullets for weeks before his arrival was confirmed Monday. A 201cm tall swingman originally from Geraldton, Ducas brings size and accuracy from deep to a Bullets side hoping to snap a six-year play-offs drought under new coach Stu Lash. "I'm pumped to be coming back to Australia and putting on a Bullets jersey," Ducas said. "Winning a title with OKC was unbelievable, but I'm ready to bring that energy and mindset to Brisbane." Ducas went undrafted in 2024 but signed a two-way contract at OKC to split his time between the Thunder's NBA side and their G-League affiliate. He played 21 games in his NBA rookie season but did not feature in the play-offs as the Thunder broke through for their first championship since 1979, when they were still based in Seattle as the Supersonics. Ducas nevertheless received a championship ring for his role in the squad, becoming just the ninth Australian-born player to taste NBA glory. Prior to his professional career, Ducas played college basketball at Saint Mary's, the alma mater of fellow Australian NBA players Patty Mills, Jock Landale and Matthew Dellavedova, winning the NCAA's West Coast Conference championship in 2024. Ducas' arrival at the Bullets comes after the side landed former NBL MVP Jaylen Adams, who has played the past two seasons with the Sydney Kings. "After months of targeted recruitment and behind-the-scenes strategy, the Bullets' patient approach is paying off," said Lash. "Alex has been on our radar for a long time. We waited for the right moment, and this is it. His talent and work ethic are a great fit for the club."
West Australian
13-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Bullets hit bullseye by signing NBL championship winner
The Brisbane Bullets have signed NBL championship winner Jaylen Adams in a huge boost for the side's Stu Lash era. Amid reports they will soon announce the arrival of Australian NBA player Alex Ducas, the Bullets unveiled former Sydney Kings combo guard Adams as their second import for the 2025/26 season. Adams won an NBL championship and the league's most valuable player award at the Kings in 2022, receiving plaudits for his versatility and composure down the stretch. The Maryland native returned to Sydney for the past two seasons but could not replicate those heroics for an underachieving Kings side, though he did have a 43-point game against Adelaide in January. Outside of his time in the NBL, Adams played 44 NBA games between 2018 and 2021 across stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks. The arrivals of high-profile Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis left the writing on the wall for Adams at the Kings in the off-season. He is the biggest signing yet for the Bullets under coach Lash, who will hope to snap a six-year play-offs drought as he replaces the ousted Justin Schueller at the helm. "I've seen what Brisbane is building and I want to be part of something special," Adams said. "This is a team and city ready to take the next step, and I'm coming in hungry to lead from the front, compete every night, and chase another title." Adams joins fellow American Casey Prather, big man Tyrell Harrison and veteran Mitch Norton as key components of the Bullets' roster for the upcoming season. The Bullets remain on the lookout for a top-quality back-court partner for Adams, and have been linked with Ducas, who was part of Oklahoma City's championship-winning roster last NBA season. A graduate of the same US college as Patty Mills and Jock Landale, Ducas played 21 games in his rookie NBA season for the Thunder, but did not feature in the post-season.
Perth Now
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bullets hit bullseye by signing NBL championship winner
The Brisbane Bullets have signed NBL championship winner Jaylen Adams in a huge boost for the side's Stu Lash era. Amid reports they will soon announce the arrival of Australian NBA player Alex Ducas, the Bullets unveiled former Sydney Kings combo guard Adams as their second import for the 2025/26 season. Adams won an NBL championship and the league's most valuable player award at the Kings in 2022, receiving plaudits for his versatility and composure down the stretch. The Maryland native returned to Sydney for the past two seasons but could not replicate those heroics for an underachieving Kings side, though he did have a 43-point game against Adelaide in January. Outside of his time in the NBL, Adams played 44 NBA games between 2018 and 2021 across stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks. The arrivals of high-profile Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis left the writing on the wall for Adams at the Kings in the off-season. He is the biggest signing yet for the Bullets under coach Lash, who will hope to snap a six-year play-offs drought as he replaces the ousted Justin Schueller at the helm. "I've seen what Brisbane is building and I want to be part of something special," Adams said. "This is a team and city ready to take the next step, and I'm coming in hungry to lead from the front, compete every night, and chase another title." Adams joins fellow American Casey Prather, big man Tyrell Harrison and veteran Mitch Norton as key components of the Bullets' roster for the upcoming season. The Bullets remain on the lookout for a top-quality back-court partner for Adams, and have been linked with Ducas, who was part of Oklahoma City's championship-winning roster last NBA season. A graduate of the same US college as Patty Mills and Jock Landale, Ducas played 21 games in his rookie NBA season for the Thunder, but did not feature in the post-season.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
No. 45 pick Rocco Zikarsky signs two-way contract with Timberwolves
Australian center Rocco Zikarsky, No. 45 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the team announced. Zikarsky averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field last season with the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL. He was limited to 20 games due to a knee injury after playing 29 games in the season prior with the Bullets because of an ankle injury. The 7-footer was part of the Next Stars program, a plan introduced by the NBL to give top prospects a path to play professionally. He was among several prospects in the program last season, joining the likes of Izan Almansa, Lachlan Olbrich and Alex Toohey. Prior to spending two seasons with the Bullets, Zikarsky attended the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia. He is the second NBA Academy alumnus to be selected in the draft this year (Khaman Maluach) and the 13th to be drafted or sign with a team. The soon-to-be 19-year-old will split his time next season between the NBA and the Iowa Wolves in the G League. He is eligible to be active for up to 50 games in the NBA and will earn $636,435, equal to 50% of the minimum salary applicable to a player with zero years of service. Zikarsky is expected to play in the NBA Summer League with the Timberwolves, beginning on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans (3:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN2).
