The Brisbane Bullets continue to sign top talent in preparation for their return to the National Basketball League.
Today it was confirmed former Chicago Bulls big man Cameron Bairstow will be coming home to the city he grew up in as the ninth player signed by the Bullets.
“I’m very excited to be coming back to play for my hometown team,” Bairstow told NBL.com.au.
“The Bullets were a club that I looked up to growing up, so it’s fantastic to be given this opportunity” said Bairstow, who has signed for one season with a second season option.
Bairstow will head to Argentina on Wednesday to participate in a number of Olympic preparation games ahead of the Rio Olympics.
Baristow, 25, played two seasons with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA but was recently traded to the Detroit Pistons before being swiftly released.
He struggled to receive playing time while in the NBA, stepping onto the floor only 36 times out of 162 (11%). His best game being coincidently was his last time on the floor, a game he started then provided 8 points and 2 rebounds in 10 minutes, a loss to the Orlando Magic.
Bairstow grew up in Runcorn on Brisbane’s Southside and played basketball for the South West Pirates and Brisbane Capitals before heading to the Australian Institute of Sport.
He then received a scholarship to play for the New Mexico Lobos, the same school where Luc Longley honed his skills being entering the NBA.
Bairstow gained the attention of NBA scouts after a break-out season in his senior year when he averaged 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
This was one of the biggest 12-month improvements in New Mexico history with Bairstow having only produced only 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds the season prior. He became the first Lobo player to average less than ten points one season and over twenty the next.
That year the Lobos won the conference tournament championship for the third straight season and Bairstow was named tournament MVP. Current Adelaide Football star Hugh Greenwood was also a member of that team.
“The goal this year will be to win an NBL Championship and we definitely have the squad to do it.
Brisbane faithful will be hoping he’s right as the Bullets return after a seven-year league absence.
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.
