Franklin Bulls

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Franklin Bulls
Franklin Bulls logo
LeagueNZNBL
FoundedNovember 2019
HistoryFranklin Bulls
2020–present
ArenaFranklin Pool and Leisure Centre
LocationPukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand
Team coloursYellow & black
Head coachSebastian Gleim
OwnershipJamie Reddish & Scott Kelso (co-founders)
Championships0
Websitebullsbasketball.nz

The Franklin Bulls are a New Zealand basketball team based in Pukekohe, Auckland. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball League (NBL), playing their home games at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre, known as the Stockyard.

Team history[edit]

In July 2019, the Franklin Bulls were granted conditional entry into the National Basketball League for the 2021 season.[1] However, following the withdrawal of the Southern Huskies and Super City Rangers,[2] the Bulls expedited their process to complete a set of requirements set down by the league, and in November 2019, they were granted entry into the NBL for the 2020 season.[3] The team was co-founded by Jamie Reddish and Scott Kelso.[4]

2020 Season[edit]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was initially suspended indefinitely.[5][6] The league returned in a reduced format based entirely in Auckland at The Trusts Arena, it also included the first and only player draft.[7][8] The inaugural Bulls team was coached by Liam Simmons, featuring FIBA 3x3 Tall Black Dom Kelman-Poto, Isaac Davidson, former Tall Black Everard Bartlett and Sam Timmins (Who was their first draft choice).[9] The team finished fifth in the regular season with a 7–7 record and lost 99–90 in their elimination final against the Taranaki Mountainairs.[10][11]

2021 Season[edit]

In 2021, the Bulls finished their first full season in the league in eighth place with a 5–13 record.[12] The team was coached by Jamie Reddish[13] featuring Tall Black Isaac Davidson, along with Denhym Brooke. and imports Zane Waterman and former NBA Draft pick Josh Selby. The Bulls also signed Kyrin Galloway from the Breakers when Waterman's season was ended with a broken wrist.[14] [15]

2022 Season[edit]

For the 2022 season, the Bulls recruited Jayden Bezzant, Leon Henry, Anzac Risseto and Corey Webster[16] alongside new coach Morgan Maskell.[17] They finished the regular season in eighth place with a 7–11 record.[18] Webster was named Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard.[19]

2023 Season[edit]

In 2023, the Bulls recruited The New Zealand Breakers Assistant coach Daniel Sokolovsky.[20] [18] Their roster included imports Rickey McGill and Jamaal Brantley, along with Tall Blacks Jayden Bezzant, Dan Fotu, Tyrell Harrison, Isaac Davidson and Dom Kelman-Poto.[21] Mid season additions included Matt Freeman and Jared Wilson-Frame as a free agent released from the Canturbury Rams. [22].[18] They finished the regular season in fourth place with a 12–6 record[23][24] and defeated the Wellington Saints 124–104 in the play-in game.[25] In the semi-final, the Bulls lost 92–67 to the Auckland Tuatara.[26] Due to scheduling issues, some home games were played at Bruce Pulman Arena, South Auckland.

2024 Season[edit]

In 2024, FIBA German assistant coach Sebastian Gleim signed a two-year deal to become the bulls Coach. Dom Kelman-Poto (3rd Season) and Issac Davidson (5th Season) returned and were joined alongside Tall Blacks Ethan Rusbatch, Jordan Hunt and former 2020 Bulls Sam Timmins and Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape.[27] Guards Luther Muhammad, Joshua Scott and Forward Jamaal Brantley (2nd season) joined as the team's import.[28] [29] [30]

Shorlty after Round 7 Jordan Hunt was ruled out for the remainder of season, due to an on-going ankle injury.[31] Post Round 8 The Bulls were invovled in a player trade with the Auckland Tuatara, which was an NBL first.

All Time Statistical Leaders[edit]

Individual:

At the end of the 2023 Season, Isaac Davidson New Zealand led the team in 5 different categories for all time. Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals and games played.

Team:

[32] [33]

Season by season record[edit]

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Season GP W L W–L% Finish Finals
2020 14 7 7 .500 5th Lost Elimination Final, 90–99 (Taranaki Mountainairs)
2021 18 5 13 .278 8th Did not qualify
2022 18 7 11 .389 8th Did not qualify
2023 18 12 6 .667 4th Won Preliminary Final, 124–104 (Wellington Saints)
Lost Semi Final, 67–92 (Auckland Tuatara)

Current roster[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Franklin Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht.
G 0 United States Muhammad, Luther (I) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
G/F 2 New Zealand Rusbatch, Ethan (C) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 4 New Zealand Vano, Christian 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 6 New Zealand Campbell, Noah 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 7 New Zealand Coker-Grey, Harri 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
C 9 New Zealand Maile, Halasiale
G 11 United States Scott, Joshua (I) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
F 12 New Zealand Davidson, Isaac 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
G 13 Samoa Leusogi-Ape, Dru-Leo 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 14 New Zealand Davis, Liam
G 20 New Zealand Perry, Corey 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
F 23 Nigeria Nwafor, Kenechukwu (IN) 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in)
G 24 New Zealand Hughes, Payton 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
F 25 New Zealand Kelman-Poto, Dominique 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
C 33 New Zealand Timmins, Sam 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in)
G 38 New Zealand Perry, Brody 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
F 50 New Zealand Matakatea, Dante 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
F 77 United States Brantley, Jamaal (I) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
F New Zealand Hunt, Jordan Injured 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
Head coach
  • Germany Sebastian Gleim
Assistant coach(es)
  • New Zealand Joseph Reddish
  • New Zealand Jeff Green
  • New Zealand Roei Rotenburg
  • New Zealand Samara Funnell
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 18 April 2024

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FRANKLIN BULLS SET TO ENTER NBL IN 2021". nznbl.basketball. 12 July 2019. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019.
  2. ^ "New Franklin Bulls franchise ready for next year's national league". odt.co.nz. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019.
  3. ^ "FRANKLIN BULLS SET TO CHARGE INTO NBL 2020". nznbl.basketball. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019.
  4. ^ "New Head Coach to take over Bulls as "Coach Dan" steps down". bullsbasketball.nz. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Coronavirus: NZ NBL considers options ahead of planned season start". Stuff.co.nz. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  6. ^ "SAL'S NBL MEN POSTPONE 2020 SEASON, NOW LOOKING AT A MODIFIED COMPETITION TO COMMENCE IN MAY OR JUNE". nznbl.basketball. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  7. ^ "AUCKLAND TO HOST 2020 SAL'S NBL, TIPPING OFF 23 JUNE". nznbl.basketball. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. ^ "2020 SAL'S NBL WILL BE PLAYED AT THE TRUSTS ARENA IN AUCKLAND". nznbl.basketball. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  9. ^ Williams, Peter (17 June 2020). "2020 Franklin Bulls season preview: Twin towers lead Bulls in first NZNBL campaign". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  10. ^ "AIRS THROUGH TO FINAL 4 WITH WIN OVER BULLS". nznbl.basketball. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  11. ^ Williams, Peter (4 August 2020). "2020 Sal's NBL team review: Franklin Bulls". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  12. ^ "SAINTS PUT ON A CLINIC IN BULLS' FINAL GAME". countiessportshub.co.nz. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Bulls Season Comes to An End". bullsbasketball.nz. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. ^ "BULLS FALL IN FINAL ROAD GAME OF 2021". countiessportshub.co.nz. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  15. ^ https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/post/environz-bulls-add-american-star-zane-waterman
  16. ^ Williams, Peter (26 April 2022). "2022 NZNBL preview: Franklin Bulls". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Morgan Maskell named Franklin Bulls head coach for 2022 NBL". nzsportswire.com. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  18. ^ a b c Egan, Brendon (9 July 2023). "Franklin Bulls' memorable NBL season rolls on with top two finish in sight". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  19. ^ Egan, Brendon (9 August 2022). "Wellington Saints' star Xavier Cooks earns NBL MVP honours". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022.
  20. ^ https://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/breakers-assistant-accepts-job-offer-from-breakers-icon-mika-vukona
  21. ^ Egan, Brendon; Hinton, Marc (6 April 2023). "Your team by team guide to the 2023 NBL basketball season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  22. ^ https://countiessportshub.co.nz/bulls-pick-up-ex-ram-wilson-frame/
  23. ^ "Rams top Bulls, lock up the third seed for NBL playoffs". nzsportswire.com. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  24. ^ "CASEY'S CORNER – FINAL 6 PREVIEW". nznbl.basketball. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  25. ^ Hinton, Marc (20 July 2023). "NBL playoffs: Canterbury Rams ride luck to pip Hawks; Franklin Bulls upset Saints". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  26. ^ Egan, Brendon (21 July 2023). "NBL playoffs: Jarrad Weeks stars as Tuatara ease their way into final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  27. ^ "STRAIGHT SHOT: TIME FOR THE BULLS TO SETTLE IN FOR A LONGER RIDE". nznbl.basketball. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  28. ^ "UNDER-STRENGTH BULLS OPEN SEASON WITH WIN". countiessportshub.co.nz. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  29. ^ https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/post/welcome-luther
  30. ^ https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/post/europe-pro-heads-to-bulls-for-summer-basketball
  31. ^ "Injury Update". facebook.com/franklinbullsbasketball. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  32. ^ https://www.proballers.com/basketball/team/13670/franklin-bulls/individual-records
  33. ^ https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/leaders

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Franklin_Bulls&oldid=1223764603"