Suns will host Australian NBL team Brisbane Bullets on Oct. 13
Jul 31, 2017, 6:02 PM
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Phoenix Suns are among the three NBA teams that will host an Australian professional team out of the National Basketball League in preseason play.
Phoenix will face the Brisbane Bullets on Oct. 13 at Talking Stick Resort Arena, after the Sydney Kings visit the Utah Jazz on Oct. 2 and the Melbourne United play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 8.
“We’re excited to host the Brisbane Bullets in Phoenix,” Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said in a statement. “It’s representative of the global expansion of the game and a great opportunity for our organization to connect with Suns fans in Australia and beyond.”
Brisbane features former second-round NBA draft pick Cameron Bairstow, a forward played college at New Mexico, along with Americans Stephen Holt (Saint Mary’s) and Travis Trice (Michigan State).
It’s the first time the NBA and NBL have scheduled games in the United States between their two leagues.
Last year, there were a record-tying eight Australian players on opening-night NBA rosters.
“Australia has proven to be a basketball powerhouse with a growing number of its players making their mark in the NBA and on the global stage,” said NBA Asia managing director Scott Levy. “Australia remains one of our largest international markets for merchandise sales and NBA LEAGUE PASS, and these games mark a milestone moment for our two leagues.”
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