4
Jun
Brisbane Bullets
Family ties bind another Bruton to historic NBL club
Rio Bruton of the South Adelaide Panthers during an NBL1 Central game in Adelaide. Photo: Melissa Belanic (@justbphotoau)
Rio Bruton joins Brisbane as a development player, continuing the Bruton family's NBL legacy
- Brisbane Bullets sign 19-year-old guard Rio Bruton as a Development Player for NBL27
- Bruton follows father C.J. and grandfather Cal in donning the Bullets uniform
- The 6'5" sharpshooter is averaging 18.8 points per game in NBL1 Central this season
New Brisbane Bullets head coach Will Weaver has seen enough, signing Rio Bruton to a development player contract for NBL27.
Rio, 19, is the third Bruton to join the Bullets after grandfather Cal and father CJ both won championships in Brisbane.
“Rio’s ceiling is high; he’s got a great ability to shoot, finish, and defend at a high level at a young age,” Weaver said.
“He clearly has a strong work ethic and we’re looking forward to helping him develop.”
Rio has averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 12 games for the South Adelaide Panthers in NBL1 Central this season.
“I’m incredibly grateful to begin my professional journey as a Brisbane Bullet in my hometown,” Bruton said.
“Having grown up watching games from the stands, it’s special to now learn from players I once looked up to.
"I’m excited to work with Coach Weaver and I’ll come in ready to work and keep pushing my development and the team forward.”
Form earning the call-up
Bruton arrives at the Bullets in red-hot form. The South Australian is suiting up for the South Adelaide Panthers in NBL1 Central, where he is putting up impressive numbers across the board:
- 18.8 points per game
- 4.2 rebounds per game
- 2.6 assists per game
Those numbers have built his reputation as an elite shooter and versatile offensive threat – a key ingredient for last season's wooden spooners.
A pathway built on elite programs
Bruton’s journey to the NBL has not happened by accident. His resume already reads like that of a player marked for the next level, having moved through some of the most respected development pathways in Australian basketball.
Key milestones in his development include:
- Time at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence
- International exposure through the NBA Global Academy Games in Atlanta
- Leading SA Metro to the gold medal match at the 2024 U18 National Championships
- Stints with the Adelaide 36ers program
Rio Bruton – Career History
2024–25 – South Australia U20 Team (U20 Championship)
- 7 games
- 17.0 points per game
- 5.7 rebounds per game
- 1.0 assists per game
- 1.6 steals per game
- Field Goal Percentage: 51.3%
- Three-Point Percentage: 38.6%
- Free Throw Percentage: 90.3%
2025 – BA Centre of Excellence (NBL1)
- 4 games
- 14.3 points per game
- 3.8 rebounds per game
- 1.0 assists per game
2026 – South Adelaide Panthers (NBL1 Central)
- Starting five
Awards / Achievements
- Australian NBL1 East Semifinals – 2025
- Australian NBL1 East Regular Season Runner-Up – 2025
- Australian U20 Championship Semifinals – 2025
Brisbane Bullets
Head coach: Will Weaver
Contracted: Tyrell Harrison, Jacob Holt, Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray, Mitch Norton
Incoming:
- Rio Bruton – Guard
June 4: Signed as a Development Player - Hanno Möttölä – Assistant Coach
- Lat Mayen - Forward (NBL26: Perth Wildcats)
May 21 - Mayen signs a two-year deal to join the Brisbane Bullets - Harry Rouhliadeff – Forward/Centre (NBL26: NCAA – University of Hawaii)
May 13 – Rouhliadeff signed a three-year deal with his hometown club after helping Hawaii reach the NCAA Tournament in his senior season. - Sam McDaniel – Forward (NBL26: Brisbane Bullets)
April 17 – McDaniel signed a new two-year extension to remain with the Bullets under incoming coach Will Weaver.
Departed: Darryl McDonald (Interim Head Coach); Released Tristan Devers to NCAA.
Free agents: Jensen Bradtke, Callum Dalton, Alex Ducas, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Hunter Maldonado, Dakota Mathias, Lamar Patterson, Casey Prather, Jack Purchase, Tohi Smith-Milner, Terry Taylor
Potential depth chart
PG: — / Mitch Norton /
SG: — / Taine Murray / Rio Bruton (DP)
SF: — / Sam McDaniel / Lat Mayern
PF: — / Harry Rouhliadeff
C: Tyrell Harrison / Jacob Holt
Remaining Roster Spots (11 Players)
4 spots remaining (7 players committed)
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