Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright believes Shaun Bruce will get an NBL contract next season
Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright believes recent signing Shaun Bruce has a future in the competition after being overlooked for a full-time contract this season.
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IT might not be in the City of Churches but 36ers boss Joey Wright believes Shaun Bruce still has a future in the NBL.
With the league to expand into Melbourne again next year and more clubs a chance to bob up over the next few seasons, there is plenty of fringe-NBL players eyeing a second shot at the big time.
After Bruce trained with the Snakes for much of the season without getting a second chance with the club, the brand new 36er gave Cairns some early problems on Saturday afternoon.
Regular back-up point guard Adam Doyle watched on from the bench in casual clothes with a slight hamstring concern as Bruce received his usual minutes.
Bruce’s runner at the halftime buzzer gave him six first half points.
Bruce landed a late triple to collect nine points in arguably his best game for his new club.
The long-time Adelaide coach thinks the country Victoria product is a legitimate NBL player, he just needs to find a full-time home, after stints with Brisbane and Cairns.
“He has been great for us, he is the type of kid you want around any basketball team,” Wright said.
“I found it really surprising that he did not have a job this year but he is a student of the game and a team guy.
“I love to have him around.
“He will be in the league somewhere next year, there is no doubt.
“He is talking to me about game plans and he is doing extra work, he is a team-glue guy that every team needs.”
Bruce’s best game since signing for Adelaide came just days after he suffered a hand injury, which Wright thought would rule him out for the Taipans game.
Bruce, who was signed as an injury replacement for import guard Ramone Moore, was taken to hospital after gashing his hand at training on Wednesday.
The combo-guard has signed with Rockhampton in the upcoming winter QBL season to further push his chances of a full-time NBL gig.
Originally published as Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright believes Shaun Bruce will get an NBL contract next season
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