From nbl.com.au :
The Brisbane Bullets have secured Australian Boomer and All-NBL Second Team guard Nathan Sobey as their first free agent addition to the roster.
Sobey joins the Bullets on a three-year deal which will have him at the Club until the end of the 2021-22 season.
The move to Brisbane comes after five years at the Adelaide 36ers for Sobey, and one year with the Cairns Taipans. Sobey was involved in grand finals series with both teams, including the 2017-18 series for the 36ers against Melbourne United.
Bullets Head Coach Andrej Lemanis was excited at what Sobey will bring to the Bullets roster.
“Nathan is an extremely skilled basketball player, a great athlete and a wonderful person. Obviously, he will add pace to the team and an ability to get to the rim, but he also has an ability to see the floor and find opportunities for his teammates.”
“Nathan averages over five assists a game, the best in the league – he is the sort of player that makes everyone else better both on and off the court – his professionalism and leadership skills are impressive. I, and the entire team are thrilled that he has chosen to join the Bullets”
Working with Lemanis was a key driver in Sobey’s decision to join the Bullets, but also the opportunity to work with Bullets Assistant Coaches CJ Bruton and Sam Mackinnon and to join a playing group he has a lot of respect for.
“I’ve enjoyed playing for Drej in the Boomers, I understand his systems and think that they really suit my game and how I can contribute to the team,” said Sobey.
“The quality of the whole playing group and coaching staff was a big factor in my decision. I’ve had the opportunity to play with Jason, Cam, and Matt in the Boomers, and I’m excited that now I have Mika on my team so I don’t have to run into his screens anymore.”
“CJ and Sam both had incredible NBL careers and represented Australia at the highest level, I’m really excited to work with both of them every day to keep improving my game and helping this team get better.”
Sobey joins Jason Cadee and Cameron Gliddon in an all-Boomers Guard rotation for the Bullets, as well as fellow Boomer Matt Hodgson. Mika Vukona, Reuben Te Rangi and Tyrell Harrison as New Zealand representatives it makes for a strong core of 7 international players in the Bullets roster.
The Bullets remain in the free agent market for both Small Forward and Power Forward spots in the starting line-up, and one back-up guard position.
2018-19 Bullets MVP Lamar Patterson remains a priority target, however, General Manager Richard Clarke said the Club is realistic that Patterson will have offers from other clubs both in the NBL and beyond.
“Lamar is a great fit for us both in terms of skill set and his fit with the playing group and the values of the Club. We would love to have him back and will continue to liaise with his agent.”
We are also realistic that Lamar will have demand both from other NBL Clubs and from Europe and Asia based on his performances last season. We will do everything we can to retain him”
The Club will also continue to review options for imports and local players for the starting Power Forward position and the backup guard role.
“With Nathan’s deal now done, we have a clear position on our recruitment budgets for both the starting roles and can firm up what our plans are for both positions, and for the remaining guard position. We won’t rush the process.”
Nathan Sobey is currently playing for Strasbourg in France and will join the Bullets at the conclusion of that season.
Sobey joins Jason Cadee, Cameron Gliddon, Tyrell Harrison, Matt Hodgson, Will Magnay, Reuben Te Rangi, Mika Vukona, Callum Dalton (Development Player) as contracted players with the Bullets.
