Bullets coach believes young Tassie signing could have “levels above this league”

The Brisbane Bullets coach first saw Kye Savage’s “pro habits” when he was 16 and now he believes has the ability to take his talents to the next level in the NBL.

Tasmania's Kye Savage during the Under-20 National Championships in Geelong. Picture: Lachlan Hannah

Brisbane Bullets coach Justin Schueller could see “pro habits” in a 16-year-old Kye Savage when they first formed their relationship at the 2022 under-17 World Cup in Spain.

And after signing a long-term deal with the Bullets last week, Schueller believes the Devonport talent has “levels above this league in him.”

The 18-year-old scoring machine has signed a three-year deal with Brisbane, with the first two years as a development player, before being elevated to a roster spot for 2026-27 via team option.

The combo guard was top scorer at this year’s under-20 national championships (24.57 per game), and helped Tasmania to a second straight bronze medal.

“Kye has shown from day one working with us at under-17 level he already has that Bullets way about him,” Schueller told The Mercury.

“We feel like he’s got levels above this league in him and that’s going to be the exciting part, how he progresses to achieve those goals while helping us as a collective get our goals along the way.”

Asked if he could be a future NBA prospect, Schueller said: “The way he can shoot it and score the ball (is impressive). While he’s six-foot-one, the speed and athleticism that he has absolutely could maybe see him one day project to hat level.

“What I love about Kye is he’s not willing to skip steps to chase his dreams, that’s what we’re most excited about with him and we can’t wait for him to work with us.”

Schueller was a basketball coach at Tasmania Institute of Sport for around five years before departing in 2013.

He said Savage showed all the hallmarks of being a great pro during their time in Spain.

Savage has been at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence for around a year, and play with them in NBL1.

“In the under-17s we used him as an impact scorer and disruptive defender, but what I loved about him though was his day to day habits,” Schueller said.

“He already had pro habits as a young athlete, I knew would transition to the pro level.

“We actually had a chat to Kye last year when I got the job with Brisbane. The COE offer came up but we’ve kept in touch and kept monitoring his development.

Bullets coach Justin Schueller. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/2024 Getty Images)

“He’s always had a bit of an edge, that’s been his point of difference when he plays.

“What we’ll challenge him with is to continue to be a pest defensively. That’s what our program’s foundation is about, we’re looking to him to impact that end of the floor as much as he does the offensive end.”

While he’ll be classified as a development player, Schueller said there’s no reason Savage can’t press for a role in the team immediately.

“At any stage of his contract he’s got the ability to level up,” he said.

“That’s what we’ll challenge him on constantly, is to come in and earn minutes straight away. “We talk about whoever can impact winning the most will get the opportunity, and he’ll have that same expectation put on him from day one.

“While he’ll have a ‘DP’ tag put on him, there’s been a number of athletes in the league who’ve shown that doesn’t mean anything.”

Basketball Tasmania development manager Nic Martin believes the grit and resilience Savage has shown when missing some rep teams will hold him in good stead in Brisbane.

“Kye is an athlete who you can never count out. There’s been many times where people maybe have done that and he hasn’t been picked in squads or teams,” Martin said.

“He’s always responded to that in a really positive way, and has always shown he belongs.

“An opportunity like this, where he has to work his way to get a chance and crack the team is a perfect spot for him with his character and makeup.

“You look at the under-16s, as a bottom age athlete he wasn’t picked in the state team. He took that in his stride, used that to motivate him and took on board all the feedback.

“There’s been times with Australian squads where he wan’t always part of the initial selections, but goes away and performs really well and is included as a late addition.”

Kye Savage in action for the North West Thunder. Photo: Robert Spencer.

The JackJumpers have already formed a massive imprint, especially after winning this year’s NBL championship, but Martin also sees benefits from young talents leaving the Tasmanian comfort zone.

“A signing like this is testament to the performance pathway, and he’s come through all our development programs.

“There’s been some adversity and challenges along the way, but that grit and resilience and determination to not be left out is what’s allowed him to continue to take steps forward.

“Personally I love kids getting away from Tassie for a bit, get some life experience for a while and naturally they often find their way back here.”