BrisBayne: Aron Baynes signs with the Brisbane Bullets
Aron Baynes has signed with home state team Brisbane Bullets
Aron Baynes has made a miraculous return to basketball after signing a two-year deal with the NBL’s Brisbane Bullets.
Baynes is widely recognised as one of Australia’s greatest ever basketballers. Joining the ranks of Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova of NBA players returning to home through the NBL.
The 35-year-old suffered a career threatening spinal cord injury during the Tokyo Olympics but wants to make it back to the NBA after diligently attacking his rehabilitation program.
“We’ve seen time and time again, players using the NBL as a springboard to get into, or back into, the NBA,” Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.
“This signing is further evidence of the recognition of the NBL’s strong standing in world basketball as a legitimate and proven pathway to the NBA.”
Baynes is an NBA veteran, playing 522 NBA games for the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and the Toronto Raptors. He won an NBA championship in 2014 alongside Boomers teammate Patty Mills with the Spurs.
Baynes represented Australia at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics, and was a member of the historic bronze medal winning Boomers in Tokyo.
“Aron is one of the most respected and successful figures in Australian basketball and has a lot of great basketball ahead of him,” Loeliger added.
“The world will be watching his comeback through the NBL and we believe signing with the Bullets gives Aron the best chance at returning to the NBA.
“Our season enables Aron to progressively work back into shape and be primed for the end of the NBL season, which coincides with the final stages of the NBA season.
“We saw Andrew Bogut sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2019 after his MVP winning NBL season with the Sydney Kings, which provides the perfect model for Aron.
“Aron joins several Australian NBA players who have returned to the NBL, and we look forward to him dominating for the Bullets.”
Baynes joins the Bullets roster which currently has Nathan Sobey, Jason Cadee, Tanner Krebs, Kody Stattmann, Lual Diing (DP), DJ Mitchell, Harry Froling, Tyrell Harrison and Gorjok Gak.
Brisbane are currently looking for an import point guard and forward to complete their roster.
Brisbane’s season starts on October 2nd when they play the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena.