The news leaked that Adelaide was looking to replace import Donald Sloan with former San Antonio Spurs swingman Brandon Paul but that news has been confirmed by Adelaide front office today.
The 29-year-old Illinois native started his professional basketball career in 2013 after a standout NCAA career at the University of Illinois. Paul was a two-time All-Big Ten selection at Illinois and was just the second player in school history to compile 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard averaged 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a senior for the Fighting Illini.
He’s basketball journey is one of grit and determination with him playing in the G-League for three straight seasons before finally reaching his NBA dream, four years after graduating college at age 26.
The 193cm guard was one of the stronger performers in the 2017 NBA Summer League averaging 15 points, five rebounds, and just shy of three assists. The San Antonio Spurs subsequently signed him for the 2017-2018 NBA season where he played 64 games.
“It was definitely an emotional time for me. I teared up again when I told my mom because the Spurs are her favorite team. That was icing on the cake as well,” Paul said when he signed his NBA contract.
In his first month playing with the Spurs Paul was required to step up in the absence of All-Star Kawhi Leonard and starting point guard Tony Parker who were both out due to injuries. In his first month (October) he averaged 5 points and shot 66 per cent from the field and incredibly 63 per cent from the perimeter.
Greg Popovich described the swingman as intelligent, skilled and reminiscent of former San Antonio Spurs star Bruce Bowen.
He scored a season-high 18 points going up against Kyrie Irving in a loss to the Boston Celtics on Oct. 30 and averaged 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds, in 9.0 minutes a game for the season.
Paul was waived at the end of the year and joined the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2019. After arriving in China it seemed he had a point to prove, he scored 40 points in his debut game and then backed in up with a triple-double with 51 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 assists in his second game.
EuroLeague team and Greek powerhouse Olympiacos contracted Paul for the 2019-2020 season and following his time there he returned to the United States awaiting the right opportunity.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Brandon’s talent join the club and look forward to him combining with Josh Giddey on our backcourt and strengthening our offensive capabilities” Adelaide 36ers Chairman Grant Kelley said on Paul joining the team for the remainder of the season.
Known for his explosive athleticism and ability to guard multiple positions (he guarded positions one to three in the NBA) General Manager of Basketball, Jeff Van Groningen expects Paul to not only blend in well with the team but take them to a new level.
“Brandon Paul is an elite level athlete with strengths on both sides of the ball that will improve our team. His scoring ability and athleticism on the open floor will resonate with his teammates and our fans. He has considerable international experience, having spent time in the NBA, Euroleague, Asia, and the NBA G-League, and from that he’s drawn an understanding of the game that we believe will assist him in making a smooth transition to this strong NBL competition” said Van Groningen.
Brandon Paul is looking forward to joining his new teammates and taking on the challenge ahead.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and to contributing every way I can with the 36ers. I know quite a few players across the NBL and have heard great things about the league, so I cannot wait to get there and be part of it. Things moved quickly because the fit for myself and the 36ers feels right”, Paul said today from his home in Chicago.
With the completion of immigration and travel arrangements required prior to today’s announcement, Paul is expected to arrive in late February and the club will announce the date of his first game in due course. He will replace Jeremy Kendle who was signed as a replacement player by the 36ers but never played. The Adelaide 36ers are heading to Melbourne this week for the NBL Cup.