NICKNAME/S: Leapin’ Leroy

BIO: Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Loggins attended Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia, and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 8th round of the 1980 NBA draft.

Leroy dominated the NBL during his time in the league, appearing in the NBL Grand Final every year from 1982 to 1987 and made his seventh Grand Finals appearance in 1990. He won 3 Championships, 3 League MVP’s, 1 Grand Final MVP, 2X Defensive Player of the Year Awards, 10X 1st Team All NBL and he’s on every NBL Anniversary Team ever. He is often referred to as the greatest import in NBL history.

Loggins captained the Bullets between 1991 and his retirement in 2001. During that time, Loggins continued to be one of the best players in the NBL, leading the Bullets to the playoffs every season from 1992 to 1999.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Leroy Loggins made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 23 years of age. He scored 10 points in his first game.

Brisbane returned to the postseason for their second year in a row in 1981, with star import Brian Banks taking over from Bruce Fitzgerald as team captain. Brisbane also added a skinny forward in 1981 going by the name of Leroy Loggins (who would later have his own statue built outside Boondall Entertainment Centre) led the team in scoring his first season with 22.1 points per game, with Banks also adding 20.2 per game and Brisbane finished in fifth place.

Due to first-placed St. Kilda deciding not to participate in the playoffs, who instead chose to play in the World Club Championships in Brazil, the Bullets were elevated into the semi finals as the fourth placed seed. The Bullets lost to eventual champions Launceston Casino City 71–69 in the semi-final game. Citing personal, mental and financial reasons, Loggins opted not to continue with the Bullets after 1981.

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS
1982
Loggins then chose to sign with the West Adelaide Bearcats during the 1982 NBL season after being recruited by player-coach (and the first NBL MVP) Ken Richardson. The Bearcats had compiled a impressive roster starting Loggins (25 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists), fellow import Al Green (26.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), Australian Boomers veterans Peter Ali (8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds) and Ray Wood (8.2 points and 2.1 assists) and young centre Brad Dalton (8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds) with Richardson (14.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists) coming off the bench.

Behind a MVP season from Green, the Bearcats finished the season with a 21-5 record, blitzing the competition, averaging 97.1 ppg as a squad and allowing opponents only 83.7 ppg (a winning differential of 13.4 ppg).

Behind stars Ken Richardson and Leroy Loggins, West Adelaide would dispose of Coburg (94-74) in the semi-final, setting up a NBL NBL Grand Final against the Geelong Supercats, led by player-coach Cal Bruton.

The grand final would be played at the neutral venue of Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium (Newcastle), which West Adelaide entered as the clear favourites. Of the Bearcats’ fives losses that year, two had been by one point and another by two points, and in addition to this, West Adelaide had thrashed Geelong by 29 points at Apollo Stadium during the last round of the season.

West Adelaide would resist a courageous second-half challenge by Geelong to win the Grand Final 80-74. Although no NBL Grand Final MVP was named in 1982, Loggins was named player of the match, being the game’s top scorer with 32 points.

1983
In 1983, player-coach Ken Richardson retired and the Bearcats lost Brad Dalton (to Sydney). They would add Mike Parsons (via Launceston) and national team player Andy Campbell. ‘King’ Ken Cole would take up the head coaching role but struggled to generate the results of previous years, finishing the regular season in third place (17-5).

Al Green (29.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals) would lead the team in scoring once again, while ‘do-it-all’ import Leroy Loggins (24.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals) backed him up offensively while also being tasked to defending the opposing team’s best player each night. Loggins efforts would also see him named in the All-NBL first team at season’s end.

In what was deemed a cost-cutting measure, the NBL chose to play two divisional finals, a three-game round-robin tournament for the top eight team’s, which strangely saw the league’s two best team’s excluded from the playoffs.

The three-game round-robin tournament resulted in the first-placed team in the Western Divison (Sydney) and the first place team in the Eastern Division (Geelong) being eliminated from a playoff spot due to finishing the three game round robin tournament with 2 wins and 1 loss, a equal record to two other team’s who progressed through based on points percentage.

While they made it through to the playoffs, few expected them to survive the rigours of the first round. Cole, widely regarded as the league’s premier motivator, came through on his pre-season prediction that West contend for the championship despite the loss of Richardson and Dalton as Green, Loggins and company led the Bearcats to a victory over Nunawading (84-77). Canberra would eliminate Coburg (80-75) on the other side of the bracket, pitting the two team’s against each other to decide the championship.

In a final which proved a seesaw ride for spectators, Canberra would be crowned champions after defeating West Adelaide by two points (75-73).

RETURN TO BRISBANE
1984
Under new coach Brian Kerle the Bullets underwent a number of roster changes, the biggest being the return of Leroy Loggins who had spent the previous two seasons with the West Adelaide Bearcats. The team then added import guard Ron ‘The Rat’ Radliff, known for his long curly hair and brilliant outside shooting to play alongside star forward Loggins, who delivered his finest season to date in 1984, averaging 29.3 points, 3.4 steals and 1.9 blocked shots per game. Loggins efforts saw him selected to the All NBL First team and voted the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Behind the stellar play of Loggins, Radliff and captain Larry Sengstock the Bullets’ made their first playoffs appearance since 1981, finishing the regular season in first place with a 19–5 record, a major improvement on their 10–12 record in 1983.

After defeating the Coburg Giants and the Geelong Supercats in the playoffs, the team were into their first ever NBL Grand Final with the game to be played at the ‘Glass House’ in Melbourne, which would be the last year that the NBL Grand Final was played at a pre-determined ‘neutral’ venue.

Despite the improvement Brisbane ultimately fell short, losing to the defending champion Canberra Cannons 84–82 who were led by the Australian Boomers point guard Phil Smyth. First year coach Brian Kerle’s efforts in turning the team around were rewarded by claiming 1984 Coach of the Year award.

1985
The NBL added steals and blocks to its statistics in 1984, which meant the statistical prowess of Leroy Loggins during the early years of the league are missing from history. That said, in 1985, the twenty-seven-year-old Loggins had the best statistical season of his career, averaging 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists as well as 4 steals and 2 blocks per game.

After falling short against Canberra Cannons in the previous years Grand Final, the Brisbane Bullets added the legendary Cal Bruton to the squad and young John Dorge to the squad and played with a renewed vigor in 1985. Loggins averaged 27.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists at 3.7 steals and led the Bullets to a first place with a record of 20-6. Loggins and his new teammates then received a first round bye in the NBL playoffs and would meet the winner of the elimination final between the Coburg Giants and last year’s champions Canberra. Canberra eliminated Coburg convincingly by 23 points, setting up a grand final re-match between the two team in the semifinals.

Loggins contributed 28 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals in the 93-76 win over Canberra, which earned them a Grand Final matchup against the Adelaide 36ers.

Loggins unleashed one of his best game’s of the season for the encounter, notching up 41 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the 121-95 victory that saw Loggins claim his second title and Brisbane win their first NBL championship on their home court at the Sleeman Sports Centre in Brisbane.

Although there was no Grand Final MVP awarded that year, it would clearly ended up in Loggins hands. Loggins form saw him selected to his fourth straight All NBL First team.

1986
The team’s major change during the 1986 season was when they moved out of the Chandler Arena (2,700 seats) and into the brand new Brisbane Entertainment Centre, which could seat up to 13,500 fans. The move easily gave the Bullets the largest and newest home arena in the NBL at the time (the next largest venue in the league was The Glass House, which could only seat 7,200). At the time, the Entertainment Centre was not only the NBL’s but also Australia’s largest indoor arena.

Loggins came out on fire to start the season, in the opening game of the season he finished with 31 points against Hobart, after a 17-point first quarter. Loggins (29.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocks), who would win the NBL MVP that season, led the team in scoring alongside Cal Bruton (16.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists) and team captain Sengstock (12.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists).

Brisbane finished the regular season in third place (17–8) and progressed to their third Grand Final in a row after wins over the Sydney Supersonics and regular postseason rivals, the Canberra Cannons.

This season’s Grand Final would be decided in a best-of-three series for the first time ever. Brisbane would face Adelaide in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final, who, behind coach Ken Cole, had lost only two games all year and were unbeaten at home.

In the opening game, over 11,000 fans, a then indoor sports attendance record in Australia, saw the 36ers defeat the Bullets 122–119 in overtime at the Entertainment Centre. In game two, Brisbane became the only team to defeat the 36ers in Adelaide that year winning 104–83 at the Apollo Stadium. The Bullets would lose the deciding game three in Adelaide (113–91), Delivering Adelaide their first championship. Crucially, Loggins fouled out of both game one and 3 of the Grand Final series, which limited his on-court impact.

1987
With Brisbane looking to go ‘younger, bigger and faster’ with their roster to compete with the likes of Adelaide’s Mark Davis and Perth’s James Crawford, the decision was made to release US born players Cal Bruton and Dave Nelson in favour of incoming import Emery Atkinson and giving more playing time to young local talent.

The Bullets were led by star Leroy Loggins (28.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.9 steals), who became the first player to win back-to-back NBL Most Valuable Player awards, sharing the award with Mark Davis of the Adelaide 36ers. Behind Loggins’s brilliance, Brisbane finished with 20 wins and 6 losses and finished in second place (behind Adelaide) during the regular season.

Beyond Loggins, the Bullets had built a roster so full of talent that the team’s second-leading scorer, import Emery Atkinson (15.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals), came off the bench. Veterans Ron Radliff (15.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 steals) and team captain Larry Sengstock (12.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) supported the two imports offensively, while 25-year-old John Dorge (11.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks), 21-year-old Robert Sibley (11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), and 19-year-old Darren Perry (6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals) all made huge contributions despite their inexperience.

Loggins was also voted as the League Best Defensive Player Due and named to a record sixth straight All NBL First team at the end of the season, which saw the Bullets finish with a 20-6 record and in second place. As a result, Brisbane (along with Adelaide, who had claimed top spot) received a first-round bye. There, they would face the Illawarra Hawks after they defeated the North Melbourne Giants in the elimination finals. With Illawarra advancing, the Bullets easily won game one of the semi finals (109-87) before losing game two in a nail-biter (77-78). Brisbane rebounded in game three (100-82), earning a spot in the 1987 NBL Grand Final after winning game three 100-82.

Brisbane made it to the NBL grand final for a league-record fourth consecutive season and would face off against the Perth Wildcats, who had just upset the defending champions Adelaide on the other side of the semi final bracket.

Perth was led by player/coach and former Bullets’ favourite Cal Bruton. Bruton’s exit had also come on the back of a very public falling out with coach Brian Kerle. In a surprise move, Brisbane elevated teenage point guard Darren Perry (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals) into the starting lineup for the playoffs and alongside Atkinson (22 points on 10/16 shooting and 9 rebounds) and Loggins (17 points and 5 rebounds) the Bullets defeated Perth in a low scoring, grind it out, 80-79 victory. Kendall Pinder (27 points and 15 rebounds) and James Crawford (23 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks) led the way for the visitors.

In game two, although Pinder (25 points, 15 rebounds) and Crawford (22 points, 11 rebounds) still proved hard to stop, Brisbane’s frontcourt of Sengstock (8 points and 6 rebounds), John Dorge (7 points and 10 rebounds) and Emery Atkinson (12 points and 4 rebounds), made it almost impossible for the Wildcats’ guards to score inside. The Wildcats guard rotation of Bruton (9), Mike Ellis (6) and Alan Black (2) combined for just 17 points and after the Bullets won a tightly fought first half (47-44), they owned the Wildcat’s in the second.

Brisbane outscored Perth by 16 points, with Loggins (36 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) doing most of the damage on the scoreboard.

With the final score reading 106-87 and Brisbane winning their second championship, Loggins, who averaged 26.5 points over the two games, was named Grand Final MVP.

1988
The Brisbane Bullets came into the 1988 NBL season aiming to defend their title and chase a third championship in four years. Under the steady leadership of head coach Brian Kerle, Brisbane kept the bulk of their 1987 title-winning roster intact. The only significant changes occurred at the end of the bench, with James Carr and Paul Webb moving on and being replaced by promising rookies—17-year-old Shane Heal and Simon Kerle.

The Bullets remained one of the league’s top sides for most of the season and were sitting in second place with two rounds to play. A critical 97–105 home defeat to the Canberra Cannons, however, left them tied with the North Melbourne Giants at 18–6. With the head-to-head split at one win apiece, the Giants took second spot based on for-and-against (+9), leaving Brisbane to settle for third on the ladder.

Leroy Loggins (24.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 steals) again led the way, earning a seventh consecutive All-NBL First Team selection while also topping the league in free throw accuracy (85.6%). American import Emery Atkinson (16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks) was a consistent two-way force, while experienced core players Larry Sengstock (11.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Ron Radliff (12.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals) provided steady leadership.

Rookie guard Shane Heal (15.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) was one of the breakout stars of the season. Playing 27 minutes per game in a backup role behind starting point guard Darren Perry (6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals), Heal quickly proved his ability to perform at the top level, ultimately earning the 1988 NBL Rookie of the Year award.

Brisbane’s third-place finish meant they had to go through a knockout quarterfinal against the sixth-placed Perth Wildcats. The game was played at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where the Bullets entered as strong favourites.

Leroy Loggins delivered a standout performance, finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals while playing nearly the entire game. Larry Sengstock (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Emery Atkinson (12 points, 8 rebounds) provided support in the frontcourt.

Still, Brisbane faltered on the perimeter, connecting on just 2-of-16 from beyond the arc. Perth took full advantage, shooting 52% from the field and showing no signs of nerves. Former Brisbane guard Calvin Bruton lit up his former team with 31 points, 4 assists, and a flawless 9-of-9 from the line. James Crawford was a dominant presence inside, tallying 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks to shut down the Bullets’ interior offense.

The 98–113 loss ended Brisbane’s playoff run in the quarterfinals and brought a close to their bid for a fifth consecutive Grand Final appearance.

1989
Brisbane entered the 1989 NBL season in transition, having lost two of their key offensive weapons from the previous year—emerging star Shane Heal (to Geelong) and import Emery Atkinson (to Canberra). To help fill the scoring void and strengthen their interior presence, the Bullets recruited American forwards Winston Crite and Greg Giddings..

Leroy Loggins (22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks) continued to lead by example on both ends of the floor and remained the team’s primary scorer and defensive anchor. However, for the first time since 1981, he missed out on All-NBL First Team honours—a likely consequence of Brisbane’s drop in the standings. Winston Crite (20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) produced efficient individual stats but never developed the same chemistry with Loggins that previous imports had managed to establish.

Veteran mainstays Larry Sengstock (12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) and Ron Radliff (12.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals) remained key parts of the rotation, though both were beginning to show the effects of wear and tear, with a slight decline in their overall impact. New import Greg Giddings (9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals) showed promise in stretches but was limited to just 19 games due to injury and ultimately fell short of expectations.

Robert Sibley (15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) emerged as one of the season’s bright spots, making a major leap in production after a breakout year. His increased minutes and confidence allowed him to become a consistent scoring threat and a dependable option in the frontcourt.

Despite these individual efforts, Brisbane struggled to find the balance, cohesion, and spark that had made them one of the NBL’s top franchises throughout the 1980s. An 11–13 finish saw the Bullets land in eighth place, marking their first season without a playoff appearance since 1983.

1990
Brisbane entered the season with a new-look squad, ready to rebound from their dismal eighth-placed finish in ’89, which saw the Bullets miss the playoffs for the first time under coach Brian Kerle. Only three of the 13 players who wore a Bullets singlet the previous year returned – Leroy Loggins, Robert Sibley, and Greg Fox.

Heading the absentees were eight-year captain Larry Sengstock, seven-year favourite Ron Radliff who both left to be a part of the NBL’s second Queensland-based team, the Gold Coast Cougars in their inaugural season. Also exiting were five-year centre John Dorge, three-year playmaker Darren Perry, 1989 rookie of the year Rodger Smith and imports Winston Crite and Greg Giddings. As did local product Shane Edwards and veteran pair Dan Clausen and Danny Morseu.

Loggins, who was used with mixed success in the off-guard spot the previous season, reverted to his more familiar and preferred small-forward position. Moore and Sibley headed up a frontline that also included comeback player Chris McGraw and young Melbourne pair Paul Rees and Craig Adams, with locals Steve McLeod and Chris Clarkson making up the 12-man list. In a flash, the Bullets went from the oldest team in the league, with a average age of 26.5, to probably the youngest at 23.1.

Together with new imports Derek Rucker (33.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 2.6 steals) and Andre Moore (26.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals), the Bullets made up for their lacklustre season the year prior, racking up 18 wins, 8 losses and improved to finish in third place.

They would even reach the Grand Final once again, a rematch of the 1987 Grand Final, where they faced the Perth Wildcats. This time around, the Bullets lost game one in Perth, 112–106, before levelling the series in Game two in front of the largest crowd the NBL had seen at the time. 13,221 fans filled the Brisbane Entertainment Centre to see the Bullets defeat Perth 106–90. This would stand the highest-ever grand final crowd for a game played outside of Melbourne until game two of the 2012/13 Grand Final series between the Wildcat’s and New Zealand Breakers in Perth. The attendance record remains the eighth largest for a NBL Grand Final game. Game three was held in front of a near-equal crowd of (13,159), but this time, the Bullets would fall short, losing 86–109 as Perth won their first NBL championship.

Additionally, Brian Kerle received the Coach of the Year award for the second time, while the Bullets would make history by having three players Derek Rucker (33.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.6 steals), Loggins (33.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.6 steals) and Andre Moore (33.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.6 steals) all named to the All-NBL First Team (something which has still never been replicated). Rucker, additionally, won the league’s MVP award, becoming the second Bullets player to do so.

1991
Leroy Loggins’ Brisbane Bullets had a subpar year in 1991, finishing in tenth place with a 13-13 record, but there was nothing subpar about a 33-year-old “Leaping” Leroy that season. Loggins averaged 25.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block across 26 games.

1992
During the 1992 season, Loggins (23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, and 1 steal) helped the Bullets finish with a record of 12-12 and end the regular season in seventh place.

1993
In 1993, Loggins averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds 3 assists, and 2 steals for the Brisbane Bullets, who finished in the third spot on the ladder.

1994
At 36 years of age, Leroy Loggins helped guide the Bullets to a fourth-place finish in the regular season with a 18-8 record.

After upsetting Adelaide in the quarterfinals opener in overtime, they would lose back-to-back games, ending their season early. NBL coaches recognised the efforts of Loggins (25.7 points and 7.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) with him being named to his ninth and final All-NBL First team.

1995
Having lost to Adelaide in the quarterfinals the previous season, the Bullets re-tooled their roster prior to 1995. The early exit saw Brisbane revamp their frontcourt, releasing veteran forward Shane Froling and imports Dave Colbert and Andre Moore. Although Leroy Loggins, Rodger Smith, Robert Sibley and Wayne Larkins were retained from last season, coach Bruce Palmer set out to recruit a younger roster he could develop over the next 2-3 seasons. He signed Andrew Goodwin and Mike Mitchell, both from rival team Gold Coast and added import Chris Munk as their replacements.

John Rillie, who had just graduated from Gonzaga University, was a late addition to the team signed to backup Brisbane’s leading scorer Shane Heal.

Heal (22.9 points and 7.4 assists), Loggins (21.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game), and Mitchell (20.9 points and 6.8 rebounds) would carry the team offensively, notching up 60+ points a game between them. Additionally, promising young talent John Rillie (13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) was awarded the NBL Rookie of the Year award, but the ‘new look’ Bullets didn’t fare much better than the old ones. Brisbane finished in fifth place with a record of 16-10 and would suffer elimination during the Quarterfinals stage yet again, this time losing to North Melbourne (0–2).

1996
In 1996, the Brisbane Bullets re-loaded by adding veterans Mike McKay (via Adelaide) and Mark Dalton (via Sydney), as well star import Steve Woodberry (23.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists), who was coming off a major injury, led the team in scoring, and was selected to the All-NBL second team. McKay (17.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists) was impressive during his first season in Brisbane while the legendary Loggins (16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) delivered his worst season ever, recording career lows in points, rebounds, assists and steals, prompting many to think he may retire at seasons end.

During a extremely tight season where Brisbane, Sydney, North Melbourne, South East Melbourne and Melbourne all tasted the league’s leadership at some point, the Bullets finished up in eighth place (14-12) under first-year head coach David Ingham.

Loggins (16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) who averaged career lows in points, rebounds, assists and steals, prompting many to think he may retire at season’s end.

1997
Although many believed Leroy Loggins would retire after delivering the worst season of his career, he instead bounced back, returning to his previous form. With Loggins (21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) paired with Steve Woodberry (21.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals), who was named to the All-NBL third team, the Bullets finished in fifth place (15-15).

The 39-year-old would also drag the Bullets back into the playoffs, facing off against Perth (17-13) in the elimination finals. Brisbane would lose both games one (79-81) and game two (71-88), ending the season prematurely. Additionally, Loggins would continue to play for another four NBL seasons.

1998
After two first-round exits, Dave Ingham would be released and replaced with returning head coach Brian Kerle who had led the team to hampionship success in 1985 and 1987. Also during this time, the high cost of playing home games at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre (along with falling attendances) forced the Bullets to move to the smaller (4,000) capacity Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from the 1998 season.

Brisbane were led again by Steve Woodberry (26.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists) and a 40 year old Leroy Loggins (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game), who, remarkably, was still starting for the team at small forward.

The Bullets also added CJ Bruton (15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4 assists), fresh from playing college basketball in the USA. Together, the trio formed one of the league’s most effective perimeter attacks and finished the regular season in fourth place (16-14).

After four consecutive seasons of being eliminated during the first round of the playoffs, Brisbane defeated Melbourne in two straight games to move on to the semi finals.

South East Melbourne had destroyed most team’s during the season, losing only four games for the year. With Brisbane responsible for one of those defeats (a 81-76 win in round five) Bullets fans had reason to believe a upset was possible. The Magic wouldn’t let things fall that way, however, winning game one (98–106) and game two (90-84) in straight sets, ending the Bullets’ season.

1998/99
The Bullets made a number of moves during the off-season, signing import Thaddeus Delaney as a replacement for the departing Chuck Kornegay, and adding Ben Knight and Matthew Shanahan, who were both squeezed out of the Giants/Magic merger and Phil Doherty, who had left the Wildcat’s looking for more playing time.

Steve Woodberry (27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 steals) delivered his best season and took home the 1999 NBL MVP in the process alongside Leroy Loggins (18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals), still delivering at 41 years of age. Other than that, the Bullets roster was light on, to say the least. Delaney (11.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks), while able to fill the box score, never delivered on his potential. Veteran Rodger Smith (6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) did what he could on defence, and 23-year-old Mark Nash (8.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists) stepped up here, he could, but when that’s the production you’re getting out of your starting lineup, it was always going to require a big night from Woodberry/Loggins just to keep it competitive.

The team finished with a 13-13 record, finishing fifth and earning a qualifying finals matchup against the Melbourne Tigers, who eliminated Brisbane in two straight games.

Loggins appeared in 28 games and averaged 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

It's just a game. have fun with it!! @SteveWoodberry @nblhistory @BrisbaneBullets @NBL pic.twitter.com/KzmWa1rPDG

— RANDOM HOOPS (@HoopsRandom) March 17, 2023

1999/00
The team were unable to retain imports Chuck Kornegay (Spain) and Steve Woodberry (Sydney), who both left for high-paying deals, and by the 1999/00 season, Leroy Loggins (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game) was finally showing signs of slowing down. By now, his numbers had dropped to career lows across the board, and the Bullets began to plan for life after Leroy.

Head coach Brian Kerle signed his son Simon Kerle and Jason Cameron (both via Townsville) as well as Brendan Mann (via Canberra) to build a local core to build around, adding them to existing young talent, Phil Doherty and Mark Nash. Rod Johnson (via Newcastle) was also added for some veteran leadership, and import signings Kelvin Price and Sheldon Quarles rounded out the roster.

Amazingly, Loggins (15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) was still a vital cog in the Bullets’ offence and continued to clock 29 minutes of playing time each game despite being 42 years old. Kerle (14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists) did what he could, while Price (12.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Quarles (11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) underperformed, to say the least. The Bullets didn’t quite have the talent they did the previous year and finished 7-21, causing Loggins to miss the playoffs for only the third time in his 20 seasons in the NBL.

2000/01
The 2000/01 season was a disastrous campaign for the Bullets, managing only four wins under new head coach Richard Orlick.

Offensively, the team heavily relied on their veterans, with import Randy Rutherford (19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists), Simon Kerle (24.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists), and a 43-year-old Leroy Loggins (16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) carrying much of the load. However, even with Loggins still starting and averaging 36 minutes per game, Brisbane couldn’t keep pace with the league’s top teams.

The team struggled from the outset, starting the season with import CJ Black (6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist), but he was cut after just two games. His replacement, Khari Jaxon (3.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), provided defensive presence but was not the scoring threat Brisbane desperately needed.

Injuries plagued the roster, with only Wade Helliwell (8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds) managing to appear in all 28 games. Both local point guards were lost, with Damien Ryan (7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) and Brendan Mann (4.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) missing 22 and 21 games, respectively. Promising rookie Lee Barlow (8.6 points, 5.8 rebounds) played only half the season, starting center Matt Zauner (7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds) was sidelined for eight games, and Loggins himself missed six games. The team was so undermanned that Bullets legend Rodger Smith was brought back from the state league for a one-game cameo just to fill the roster.

Other notable contributors included David Cooper (5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1 block), who provided some interior defense, while Michael Wheeler (4.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) showed flashes of potential but couldn’t provide consistent production.

The season came to an emotional close as Leroy Loggins retired after an incredible 21-year NBL career. Even in his final season, he remained a key contributor and leader on the court, a testament to both his greatness and the dire state of Brisbane’s roster.

Despite their struggles, Brisbane somehow avoided finishing at the bottom of the ladder, ending the season at 4-24, just one game ahead of the Canberra Cannons (3-25).

Leroy Loggins having played 567 games which at the time was the most games ever played in the NBL (this has since been surpassed by both Andrew Gaze and Tony Ronaldson). He also scored 13,106 points (third all-time) during his career, at 23.1 points per game, grabbed 3,897 rebounds at 6.8 per game, another remains second in all time steals with 1,221 (2.1 per game). The number 30 jersey worn by Loggins throughout his career was retired by the Bullets in his honour.

During his career, Loggins was also selected to numerous NBL All-Star Games, winning the first two-game MVP awards in 1982 at the Apollo Stadium in Adelaide and again in 1988 at The Glass House in Melbourne. Although these games were six years apart, as there was no All-Star Game played from 1983 to 1987 this gave Loggins the distinction of being the only player to win consecutive NBL All-Star Game MVP awards. He is one of only three players (along with Andrew Gaze and Darryl McDonald) to win the award twice.

He was included in the NBL’s 25th Anniversary Team (named 2003) and was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Leroy Loggins played twenty-one seasons in the NBL. He averaged 23.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 567 NBL games.

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 3rd in total games played.
– 2nd in total points
– 8th in total rebounds
– 19th in total assists
– 2nd in total steals
– 6th in total blocks
– 32nd in steals per game.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Dan Boyce (836 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.