Logue Down: Brisbane Bullets signing Josh Bannan NBL bound, after impressing Pacers in pre-draft workout

It’s the NBL off-season, but the NBA Finals are gearing up and it’s a FIBA World Cup year, so there is plenty of hoops news to dissect. Check out this week’s Logue Down column.

Brisbane Bullets bound Australian forward Josh Bannan completed a pre-draft NBA workout with the Indiana Pacers

Boom Brisbane Bullets signing Josh Bannan will be a Bullet for at least a season despite his growing NBA interest.

Bannan – a 6’10 forward from Victoria – attracted headlines on Wednesday after taking part in a pre-draft NBA workout with the Indiana Pacers.

The University of Montana graduate has signed a three-year deal with Brisbane, starting next season.

Bannan currently sits outside mock predictions ahead of the draft on June 23, meaning any NBA team would allow him to start his contract with the Bullets.

“There is nothing I take more pride in than being from Australia.”@MontanaGrizBB forward Josh Bannan discusses how playing college basketball helped his development and how proud he is to represent Australia.@NerdWallet | #GoldOnTheClockpic.twitter.com/tCTBbc1Als

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 7, 2023

This would be a similar situation to when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected fellow Australian Luke Travers at 56 in the 2022 NBA draft before stashing him in the NBL at the Perth Wildcats.

Bullets coach Justin Schueller expects to see Bannan in the NBL next season, but whether or not the rising forward fulfils his three-year contract remains to be seen.

“The reality is once he is in front of NBA teams, they are going to know exactly what we know about him and fall in love with him as well,” said Schueller, who coached Bannan in the Australian Under 17’s team at the FIBA World Cup.

“For now, the Pacers workout is a great opportunity for him to get into the mix.

“His name is still in the draft, but he is evaluating whether he keeps that in or not.

“It’s unlikely that (the draft) is going to occur this year, so it’s more about him gaining the exposure and opportunity.

“He will then come back to us and next year will more likely be his year to go over and have an impact.

“Josh’s upside is tremendous, and he goes about it in the right way. He’ll always do the work and the feedback already from the Pacers workout has been great.”

Josh Bannan spotted putting in work at the @Pacers' pre-NBA Draft workout 👀 pic.twitter.com/9tMmGJ3EKl

— NBL (@NBL) June 6, 2023

Bannan, 22, had three years at the University of Montana.

He averaged 15 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in his final year – on 49.9 per cent shooting from the field and 40.4 per cent from three.

SIULEPA’S BIG DECISION:

Rising Queensland sensation Roman Siulepa has already been dubbed the ‘human highlight’ reel, but he is in no rush when it comes to locking in his professional future.

Siulepa, 16, has attracted rave reviews after producing dominant displays at a state, national and more recently an NBL1 level.

The Brisbane native is averaging nine points and five rebounds playing for the Southern Districts Spartans in the NBL1 this season.

The Bullets have also offered him a chance to come to training.

🇦🇺 Check in with Aussie Roman Siulepa at the #BWBAsia Camp in Abu Dhabi!#InAbuDhabi#FindYourPacepic.twitter.com/5tPO4JaCra

— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) June 3, 2023

Siulepa is currently competing in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia camp in Abu Dhabi, which sees the world’s finest rising players converge to participate in a series of drills and situational workouts led by NBA players and coaches.

He is one of 10 Australian boys and girls attending the prestigious camp that has paved future success for the likes of Josh Giddey and Josh Green.

Siulepa has a USA basketball tour in July and then he plans to sit down and weigh up his next career move.

He has previously stated he’d like to play for Brisbane in the NBL – and the league is looking at him as a potential Next Star – however the US college route is also an option for the emerging small forward.

KINGS LOSE CLUB LEGEND AS NEW COACH LOOMS:

The Sydney Kings have lost a club great – with former guard turned assistant coach Kevin Lisch leaving to return to his native America.

Lisch earnt fan favourite status during his four seasons at the Kings before retiring in 2020 to join the club’s coaching staff.

The Belleville-born guard who won a championship in Perth in 2010 and collected two NBL MVPs is a big loss for Sydney and the Australian domestic league.

Kevin Lisch played alongside Aussie hoops great Andrew Bogut at the Sydney Kings. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.

Lisch’s departure comes as the Kings close in on a new head coach to replace the NBA-bound Chase Buford.

It’s understood Sydney could announce a new coach – most likely an American-based mentor – as early as next week.

Kings owner and special advisor Luc Longley told The Logue Down column the club has been “overwhelmed” with the quality of coaching candidates.

“There is a European coach on the list and Australian, so it’s broad reaching,” Longley said.

“The bulk of our candidates are American guys because that is where the bulk of coaches are – that is just the way it works.

“We’ve done a lot of interviews and we won’t put anymore roster pieces in place until that coach comes in.

“Then he can influence those roster decisions.”

Former Cairns Taipans forward DJ Hogg is Sydney Kings bound to replace Xavier Cooks. Photo: Brendan Radke

Sydney has signed just one main roster player for NBL24 in former Cairns star forward DJ Hogg.

Longley, though, is confident the Kings can successfully retool to be a contender again next season.

“We’re not going into a post Xavier (Cooks) rebuild and we’ve got the pedal on the right still on the floor,” he said.

“We’re wedded to how the Sydney Kings have been playing.

“So, playing in a way that the fans already relate to, which is up-tempo basketball.

“It’s playing in a way that when NBA teams look at our players, they can see our players playing in a way that they can reference from their own culture.

“Part of what we’re excited about is growing guys and we keep spitting guys to the NBA.

“I think part of that is we are playing in a way that NBA scouts can relate to and see.”

MILLS FIRING AHEAD OF WORLD CUP:

We all know ‘Boomers’ Patty Mills is a different beast, but this latest training footage proves it.

Mills is currently based in Hawaii as he prepares for this year’s World Cup in Japan and the Philippines in August and September.

The veteran guard is clearly locked in on more medal success for the bronzed Boomers based on his form in shooting practice.

Mills nailed 30 threes in just 60 seconds.

The sniper-like form should have Boomers fans excited ahead of the World Cup.

Nets guard Patty Mills making 30 threes in 60 seconds 🤯

An absolute SNIPER 🎯

(via @DJSackmann)pic.twitter.com/bheSaATIbK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 7, 2023

The Australians have named a squad loaded with NBA talent and are a legitimate chance of medalling alongside the likes of the USA, France, Spain and Serbia.

The Americans, meanwhile, have named the bulk of its roster for the Cup.

The squad is made of talented yet emerging stars like Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram.

USA still has to name another four players to complete its 12-man roster, so more big names could be announced.

However, the first thought from the hoops world is that his USA roster is beatable.

MORE AUSSIE NBA RETRO TO COME?

The recreation of Luc Longley’s No. 13 Chicago Bulls singlet has sparked childhood memories for a generation of Australian NBA fans.

Now it can be revealed Longley’s merchandise range could pave the way for an Aussies in the NBA series.

This means the likes of Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Andrew Bogut and Chris Anstey will be honoured with their own NBA range.

Luc Longley (13) shoots over top of Greg Ostertag during game 3 of Chicago Bulls v Utah Jazz NBA finals.

Longley likes the idea of retro NBA with an Aussie flavour.

“I hope it (my NBA singlet) opens the door for other Aussies,” Longley said.

“It’s a great idea because I remember walking into a store in Sydney and there were no Patty Mills or Joe Ingles or Andrew Bogut singlets.

“I said to the people in the store, ‘why aren’t there any Aussies here?.”

BOLDEN RETURN?

Former Philadelphia 76er and Australian Boomer Jonah Bolden hasn’t played professional basketball since 2020, but could we see him make a comeback?

The hoops rumour mill has gone into overdrive after Bolden posted pictures on the court with a basketball in hand.

He has also posted stories of basketball memories – including a picture of his NBA days at Philadelphia alongside current Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

Former Philadelphia 76ers draftee Jonah Bolden training with then NBL champions Melbourne United at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

One fan noticed Bolden’s recent focus on basketball and speculated that a return to the court could be on the cards.

“Jonah has been posting some bball content on his socials again,” the fan said about Bolden, who played 61 NBA games for Philadelphia and Phoenix between 2018-2020.

“If there is one guy that I would love to see playing pro again (the NBL) it’s Jonah.

“Always thought his potential was through the roof.”

Originally published as Logue Down: Brisbane Bullets signing Josh Bannan NBL bound, after impressing Pacers in pre-draft workout