Brisbane Bullets: Five things you need to know

• The Brisbane Bullets have won 3 NBL championships in 1985, 1987 and 2007
• The Bullets have not made the postseason in six years 
• Brisbane has signed 2022 NBL MVP Jaylen Adams

The Brisbane Bullets have long been a proud and passionate part of the NBL landscape. Based in Queensland’s capital, they represent a growing basketball market with a fervent fanbase known for its energy. The team’s culture is known for its gritty work ethic with a focus on developing ‘the right way’, aiming to establish themselves once again as a powerhouse within the league.

The Bullets have experienced fluctuating fortunes in their history as they were dissolved for almost a decade between 2008 and 2016. Since their reestablishment, the Bullets have been a sleeping giant in the NBL slowly rebuilding and creating a winning culture. After years of being out of the NBL entirely then at the bottom of the standings, Brisbane is ready to end the rebuild and start competing this season. 

2024-25 Season Summary 

• Record (12-17)
• Finish 8th (Missed Postseason)
• All NBL Selections: Casey Prather (Second Team)

2025 Off-Season Additions

•  Alex Ducas
• Jacob Holt
• Jaylen Adams
• Jensen Bradtke
• Taine Murray

The Bullets off-season had a bit of everything as they added a true superstar, rotation pieces and more youth to develop. The biggest move of the Bullets off-season was the signing of Jaylen Adams, the 2022 NBL MVP and former Sydney Kings star. Adams brings exactly what Brisbane lacked last season, a closer. His ability to take over fourth quarters and hit big shots gives the Bullets a late game weapon they haven't had in years. Ducas is fresh off a championship with the OKC Thunder and returns home to Australia as a two way threat with knockdown shooting and a knowledge of what it takes to win at the highest level. Jacob Holt, Jensen Bradtke and Taine Murray add depth, versatility and long-term upside, giving the Bullets extra players to develop for the future. 

Potential NBL26 Line-up

1. ‍PG: Jaylen Adams (IP) | Mitch Norton‍
2. SG: Javon Freeman-Liberty | Sam McDaniel | Taine Murray | Tristan Devers (DP)‍
3. SF: Alex Ducas‍
4. PF: Casey Prather (IP) | Tohi Smith-Milner | Jensen Bradtke (DP)‍
5. C: Tyrell Harrison | Jacob Holt

Team History

Founded in 1979 as one of the NBL’s original clubs, the Brisbane Bullets have long been one of Australian basketball’s most storied franchises. In the 1980s, Brisbane rose to prominence with a string of playoff runs, headlined by superstar talents such as Leroy Loggins, who remains one of the greatest players in NBL history.

Under coach Brian Kerle, the Bullets captured their first championship in 1985 and followed it up with another title in 1987, cementing their place among the league’s elite. The 1990s brought continued competitiveness, with the team being great the whole decade whilst never truly contending. Brisbane signed Sam Mackinnon in 2005 who would go on to have one of the most dominant seasons the league has ever seen winning the 2007 MVP, Defensive player of the year, championship and Finals MVP with the Bullets. 

Only 1 season after their championship, the Bullets were forced to withdraw from the league due to financial issues, a crushing blow to a proud club who was still competing at the time. In 2016, the Bullets were reborn. The team returned with a renewed sense of purpose and began rebuilding their identity. Though early seasons brought more struggles than success, the club has slowly but surely reestablished itself back into the league.

Five Fast Facts

1. Cal Bruton of the Bullets was the first ever NBL scoring leader
2. After a fallout with the team, Cal Bruton left for the Perth Wildcats who lost to the Bullets in the 1987 final
3. NBL legend Shane Heal won ROTY for the Bullets
4. The NBL Blitz trophy is called the Loggins‑Bruton Cup
5. NBA players to play with the Bullets includes 2025 draftee Rocco Zikarsky

Club Timeline

• ‍1979: Brisbane Bullets are founded as one of the original 10 teams in the inaugural NBL season.‍
• 1984: Make their first Grand Final appearance‍
• 1985: Win their first NBL championship, defeating Adelaide 36ers in the Grand Final.‍
• 1986: Reach the Grand Final again but lose to Adelaide
• 1987: Claimed their second NBL title, led by Leroy Loggins ‍
• 2007: Win their third NBL championship, sweeping the Melbourne Tigers in the Grand Final after Sam McKinnon's legendary season‍
• 2008: Club collapses due to financial issues and is forced to withdraw from the league.‍
• 2016: Brisbane Bullets officially return to the NBL for the 2016-17 season.‍
• 2020: Nathan Sobey joins the team, becoming a franchise cornerstone and eventual Boomers Olympian.‍
• 2023: Despite another season missing finals, Rocco Zikarsky and Josh Bannan headline a promising youth movement.‍
• 2025: The Bullets land major off-season signings including NBA champion Alex Ducas and former MVP runner-up Jaylen Adams, aiming to return to playoff contention.

Since their time back in the NBL, Brisbane has been waiting patiently, and they believe now is their time to strike. With a tough gritty team and a determination to bring the Bullets back to contention, Brisbane is one of the biggest wild-cards of the NBL26 season. Do they need another year or two to keep building? Or are they ready to throw their name in the ring right now?