Brisbane Bullets land Orlando Johnson

The Brisbane Bullets have signed former NBA player Orlando Johnson as an import for the 2020/21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season.

Johnson has played over 100 NBA games, having stints with the Indiana Pacers (2012-14), Sacramento Kings (2014), Phoenix Suns (2016) and New Orleans Pelicans (2016). He was selected by the Kings in the 2012 NBA Draft with the 36thselection.

The California native is 6’5" and can alternate between the guard and forward positions, adding versatility to the Bullets roster. Johnson has also played professionally in Spain, the Philippines, Russia, China, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Taiwan and in the NBA G-League.

Brisbane Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis said: "Whenever you start the process of recruiting an import, the challenge is to find a player with a skill set that will complement and add value to the roster already signed, as well as being a quality person who will fit in with the team ethos we value at the Bullets.

"We always lean on contacts we trust from around the world for input as well as watching a whole lot of video on players we believe to be in contention. That process led us to Orlando Johnson.

"Orlando brings with him a wealth of experience, having played over 100 NBA games, another 100 games in the G-League and more than 50 games in high level European Leagues. He has shown that he is a versatile player who is prepared to help teams succeed at both ends of the court. He has a great basketball IQ and a toughness that will add value to our team.

"The interview with Orlando is one of the best I have ever been involved with; his honesty and humility really struct a chord with the coaching staff and his understanding of how teams succeed was evident the more we spoke. We got off that call as a staff and said, ‘He’s our guy’.

"We all look forward to getting Orlando to Brisbane and integrating him into the team as we prepare for the start of the season."

Johnson said: "I’m really excited. They (Brisbane) said we need a guy who will be able to shoulder a heavy load and be one of the main guys…I told them how ready I was and how much I’ve been working.

"I told them I was looking to be a focal point and a guy who can lead a team and that’s what they’re looking for. I think this is going be the start of something really special.

"When I first heard about it (the NBL) and saw it, I saw how exciting these games are and that’s something I want to be a part of."

Johnson joins Harry Froling, Matt Hodgson, Will Magnay, Anthony Drmic, Jason Cadee, Nathan Sobey, Tyrell Harrison, Tanner Krebs, Tamuri Wigness and Callum Dalton (development player) on the Bullets’ roster for the 20/21 season.