BIO: Bill Ward was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Bulleen basketball program. Ward received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1981. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1981, 1982).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Bill Ward made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 19 years of age. He scored eight points in his first 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. Ward averaged 5.5 points and 1.3 rebounds, and helped guide the Bullets to a first place with a record of 20-6. Ward 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.

Ward contributed 2 points and 2 steals in the 93-76 win over Canberra, which earned them a Grand Final matchup against the Adelaide 36ers.

In the deciding game Ward contributed three points and played limited minutes in the 121-95 victory but had a first class seat to watch the Bullets win first NBL championship on their home court at the Sleeman Sports Centre (Brisbane).

Bill Ward played two seasons the Brisbane Bullets. He averaged 4.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 53 NBL games.