Will Magnay steals the show as Brisbane Bullets crush NBL1 All-Stars

Brisbane young gun Will Magnay was the standout as the Bullets started the pre-season NBL Blitz with a thumping victory against the NBL1 All-Stars in Tasmania.

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Brisbane young gun Will Magnay was the standout as the Bullets enjoyed a glorified training run in the 106-57 win over the NBL1 All-Stars in the first game of the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament in Tasmania on Thursday night.

The Bullets dominated the All-Star side from the second-tier competition from the opening tip-off in Ulverstone with Magnay starting at power forward and finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal.

His night out included a few thundering slam dunks and a long bomb from beyond the three-point line. It continued his eye-catching form from the QBL season where he was a star for the championship-winning Brisbane Capitals.

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Will Magnay was the standout performer in the Bullets’ win in the NBL Blitz. Picture: Getty Images

Magnay battled injuries and illness last season but is ready to get major minutes in the 2019-20 NBL campaign for the Bullets who have a smaller but more mobile roster.

“What the team needs, I’ll do … be the energy guy,’’ Magnay said. “I feel great, it’s the healthiest I’ve felt in a long time. I feel bouncy.’’

While Magnay owned the paint in the lopsided romp, Brisbane import EJ Singler was on fire coming off the bench with 19 points at the nice clip of seven field goals from nine attempts.

Singler was a sharpshooter from long range in the NZNBL over the winter and he hit three three-pointers from four attempts on Thursday night.

Singler’s fellow American Taylor Braun (11 points, eight rebounds, three assists) had some nice touches at times while Brisbane centre Matt Hodgson chimed in with 16 points and seven rebounds for the rampant Bullets.

Bullets import EJ Singler impressed when he came off the bench against the NBL 1 All-Stars. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane will get much-needed NBL-quality opposition on Saturday night in Launceston when they take on Joey Wright’s Adelaide 36ers.

Brisbane had lost three of their first four pre-season matches before last night and while the easy victory will build confidence in the Bullets camp, they were not stretched or challenged in the slightest.

Brisbane led 27-13 at quarter-time and 54-27 at halftime with a 29-12 third quarter handing the Bullets an 83-39 buffer at the last change.

Boomers guards Cam Gliddon and Nathan Sobey had the night off and should return for the match-up with the 36ers.

Head coach Andrej Lemanis was an interested observer last night as assistant coach CJ Bruton took the reins.