Wikipedia

Franklin Bulls

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

Franklin Bulls
Franklin Bulls logo
LeagueNZNBL
FoundedNovember 2019
History2020–present
ArenaFranklin Pool and Leisure Centre
LocationPukekohe, New Zealand
Team coloursYellow and black
Head coachSebastian Gleim
OwnershipJamie Reddish & Scott Kelso (co-founders)
Championships0
Websitebullsbasketball.nz
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away

Team history

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Coming from Pukekohe

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In July 2019, the Franklin Bulls were granted conditional entry into the National Basketball League for the 2021 season.[1] This application was then expedited when they completed a set of requirements set down by the league. In November 2019, they were granted entry into the NBL for the 2020 season.[2][3] The team was co-founded by Jamie Reddish and Scott Kelso.[4]

Mascot design - Before the Bulls joined the NBL, they ran a competition among its members to select a name for the team. The winning vote was going to see them called the Franklin "Blitz" however, it was later decided to name their newly created mascot Blitz and name the team the Bulls. Following this a logo was designed and the Franklin Pool and Lesuire centre gained its nickname "The Stockyard".[5] Blitz also has notable features in his design that members are aware of. He can be seen and heard making a lot of noise at home games, dishing out cowbells to fans.

2020 season

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was initially suspended indefinitely.[6][7] The league returned in a reduced format based entirely in Auckland at The Trusts Arena; it also included the first and only player draft.[8][9] 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).[10] 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.[11][12]

2021 season

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In 2021, the Bulls finished their first full season in the league in eighth place with a 5–13 record.[13] The team was coached by Jamie Reddish[14] featuring Tall Black Isaac Davidson along with Denhym Brooke, imports Zane Waterman[15] and former NBA Draft pick Josh Selby from the US. The Bulls also signed Kyrin Galloway[16] from the New Zealand Breakers when Waterman's season was ended with a broken wrist. Josh Selby parted ways with the team on June 1 after sustaining an injury and requesting a return to the US.[17]

In 2021 the Bulls played host for the New Zealand Breakers while dealing with schedule clashes with their normal home venue. The Pukekohe based Bulls stepped up and the Breakers took on the Illawara Hawks at the Stockyard on May 28. The Hawks however took the win 84-73.[18]

2022 season

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For the 2022 season, Rookie Tall Blacks Jayden Bezzant and Anzaz Risseto joined the team with Isaac Davidson returning for a third season. They also announced the return of NBL legend Leon Henry and star signing of Tall Blacks guard Corey Webster[19] alongside new coach Morgan Maskell.[20] They played most of the season with an all New Zealand born team, until Giddy Potts joined them as their only import on the roster, mid season.[21]

They finished the regular season in eighth place with a 7–11 record and failed to make the playoffs.[22]

2023 season and a trip to the final 6

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For 2023, the Bulls recruited the New Zealand Breakers assistant coach Daniel Sokolovsky[24] to be their head coach and hired former 150 game veteran Tall Black Mika Vukona to be their GM.[25]

The roster included imports Rickey McGill and Jamaal Brantley, along with Tall Blacks Jayden Bezzant, Dan Fotu, Tyrell Harrison, Isaac Davidson and Dom Kelman-Poto.[26] Mid season additions included Matt Freeman and Jared Wilson-Frame as a free agent released from the Canturbury Rams.[27] They finished the regular season in fourth place with a 12–6 record heading to their first play in series.[28][29] They easily defeated the Wellington Saints 124–104 in the 1st play-in match, setting a semi-final against the Tuatara.[30] However in the semi-final, the Bulls lost 92–67 to the Tuatara.[31]

  • Brantley and McGill were both nominated in the finalists group for the Defensive Player of the Year award.[32]
  • On June 11 Isaac Davidson became the first Bulls player to rack up 50 games played for the Club.[33]

Due to scheduling issues, some home games were played at Bruce Pulman Arena, Takaanini.

2024 season and Rapid League

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FIBA German International team assistant coach Sebastian Gleim signed a two-year deal as the Bulls head coach. Dom Kelman-Poto (3rd season) and Issac Davidson (5th season) returned. They were joined alongside Tall Blacks Ethan Rusbatch, Jordan Hunt, former 2020 Bull Sam Timmins and Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape.[34] Guards Luther Muhammad,[35][36] Joshua Scott[37] and forward Jamaal Brantley (2nd season) joined as the team's imports. Season 2024 also seems the integration of the Rapid League, in which local players (no imports) whom are non-starters will take part in a shortened contest before the main game. Coaches Joe Reddish and Samara Funnell split their time coaching this team, during which Funnell made her coaching debut against the Sharks and picked up a win in her first match in the Rapid League as the nominated head coach for that game.[38]

Shorlty after Round 7 Jordan Hunt was ruled out for the remainder of season, due to an on-going ankle injury he sustained while playing in the UK.[39] Post round 8 The Bulls were involved in a player trade with the Auckland Tuatara, which was an NBL first. On May 24 Brantley and the Bulls mutually parted ways. Following this KC Nwafor was re-signed on a short term contract as cover. American guard Lee Skinner arrived from Cyprus in time for Round 10 action debuting in a win over the Sharks, to then take his place.[40]

The Bulls reached the semi-final, where they lost 78–75 to the Auckland Tuatara.[41][42]

All time statistical leaders NBL

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Individual:

Individual Stat Leaders (Game)[43]
Stat Type Total Player Name
Points 42 Josh Selby  
Rebounds 18 Leon Henry  
Steals 6 Rickey McGill  
Blocks 6 Sam Timmins*   & Denhym Brooke  
Assists 13 Corey Webster  
Games played 56* Isaac Davidson  
  • At the end of the 2023 Season, Isaac Davidson led the team in 5 different categories for all time - Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals and games played.[44]

Team:

  • Highest Score: 124-104 W vs. Wellington Saints in the NBL 2023 finals play in game, Trusts Arena, Auckland.

All time statistical leaders Rapid League

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  • Points (Match):
  • Rebounds (Match):
  • Steals (Match):
  • Blocks (Match):
  • Assists (Match):
  • Games Played (Total) 15* Halasiale Maile  

National honours and other team connections

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National Teams
Player Name Country Debut Games Played
Jayden Bezzant   Tall Blacks 2022 2
Jayden Bezzant   NZ 3v3 2022
Anzac Risseto   Tall Blacks 2022 2
Dominique Kelman-Poto*   NZ 3v3 2022 50
Isaac Davidson*   Tall Blacks 2022 7
Kane Bennet-Keil   Tall Blacks 2022 3
Brody Perry*   U17 2022
Australian NBL  
Player Name Team Debut Games Played
Issac Davidson* NZ Breakers 2021 16
Dominique Kelman-Poto* NZ Breakers 2023 1
Jayden Bezzant NZ Breakers 2022 1
Anzac Rissetto SE Melbourne Phoenix 2022 23
Portugal - Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol  
Player Name Team Debut Games Played
Zane Waterman U.D Oliveirense 2021 25
Finland - Korisliiga  
Player Name Team Debut Games Played
Isaac Davidson* Bisons Loimaa 2023 31
United Kingdom - British Basketball League  
Player Name Team Debut Games Played
Rickey McGill Newcastle Eagles 2023 36

(*) denotes active player still on Bulls roster

Season by season record

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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)
2024 17* 10 7

(*) Denotes season still in progress

Current roster

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

Franklin Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht.
G 00   Leusogi-Ape, Dru-Leo 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G/F 2   Rusbatch, Ethan (C) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 4   Vano, Christian 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 6   Campbell, Noah 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 7   Coker-Grey, Harri 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
G 8   Muhammad, Luther (I) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
C 9   Maile, Halasiale 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 11   Scott, Joshua (I) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
F 12   Davidson, Isaac 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
F 14   Davis, Liam 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
G 20   Perry, Corey 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
F 23   Nwafor, Kenechukwu (IN) 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in)
G 24   Hughes, Payton 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
F 25   Kelman-Poto, Dominique 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
C 33   Timmins, Sam 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in)
G 38   Perry, Brody 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
F 50   Matakatea, Dante 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
G 53   Short, Nathaniel
F 54   Skinner, Lee (I) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
F   Hunt, Jordan   2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
Head coach
  •   Sebastian Gleim
Assistant coach(es)
  •   Joseph Reddish
  •   Jeff Green
  •   Roei Rotenburg
  •   Samara Funnell
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  •   Injured
Updated: 2 June 2024


Previous Rosters

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2020

2021

2022

2023

References

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  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. ^ "About | NZNBL | Auckland". BULLS BASKETBALL.
  6. ^ "Coronavirus: NZ NBL considers options ahead of planned season start". Stuff.co.nz. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "AUCKLAND TO HOST 2020 SAL'S NBL, TIPPING OFF 23 JUNE". nznbl.basketball. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  9. ^ "2020 SAL'S NBL WILL BE PLAYED AT THE TRUSTS ARENA IN AUCKLAND". nznbl.basketball. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "AIRS THROUGH TO FINAL 4 WITH WIN OVER BULLS". nznbl.basketball. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  12. ^ Williams, Peter (4 August 2020). "2020 Sal's NBL team review: Franklin Bulls". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  13. ^ "SAINTS PUT ON A CLINIC IN BULLS' FINAL GAME". countiessportshub.co.nz. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Bulls Season Comes to An End". bullsbasketball.nz. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  15. ^ "EnviroNZ Bulls add American Star, Zane Waterman". BULLS BASKETBALL. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Galloway to Join Bulls". BULLS BASKETBALL. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Blow for Bulls as Selby heads home - Counties Sports Hub".
  18. ^ "Franklin Bulls to Host Sky Sport Breakers".
  19. ^ Williams, Peter (26 April 2022). "2022 NZNBL preview: Franklin Bulls". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Morgan Maskell named Franklin Bulls head coach for 2022 NBL". nzsportswire.com. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  21. ^ "NZNBL: New Zealand National Basketball League". nznbl.basketball.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ "NZNBL: New Zealand National Basketball League". nznbl.basketball.
  24. ^ "Breakers Assistant Accepts Job Offer from Breakers' Icon Mika Vukona". Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  25. ^ "Mika Vukona new Franklin Bulls GM - Counties Sports Hub".
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "Bulls pick up ex-Ram Wilson-Frame - Counties Sports Hub".
  28. ^ "Rams top Bulls, lock up the third seed for NBL playoffs". nzsportswire.com. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  29. ^ "CASEY'S CORNER – FINAL 6 PREVIEW". nznbl.basketball. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Egan, Brendon (21 July 2023). "NBL playoffs: Jarrad Weeks stars as Tuatara ease their way into final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Bulls snubbed at Sal's NBL Awards - Counties Sports Hub".
  33. ^ Kelso, Scott (10 June 2023). "Davidson to complete milestone". BULLS BASKETBALL.
  34. ^ "STRAIGHT SHOT: TIME FOR THE BULLS TO SETTLE IN FOR A LONGER RIDE". nznbl.basketball. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  35. ^ "Welcome Luther!". BULLS BASKETBALL. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  36. ^ "UNDER-STRENGTH BULLS OPEN SEASON WITH WIN". countiessportshub.co.nz. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Europe Pro heads to Bulls for Summer Basketball". BULLS BASKETBALL. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  38. ^ "NZNBL: New Zealand National Basketball League". nznbl.basketball.
  39. ^ Jeffrey, Oscar (16 January 2024). "Jordan Hunt Injury Update". Surrey Scorchers. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  40. ^ "Australian Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings". www.australiabasket.com.
  41. ^ Hinton, Marc (24 July 2024). "Auckland Tuatara haul in Franklin Bulls to make third straight NBL final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  42. ^ "SEMI FINAL AUCKLAND VS FRANKLIN: TUATARA MOUNT COMEBACK". nznbl.basketball. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Records | Bulls Basketball | Auckland Waikato". BULLS BASKETBALL. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  44. ^ "Franklin Bulls individual records". Proballers. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  45. ^ "Franklin Bulls results - Basketball, New Zealand". www.flashscore.com.
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