Brisbane Bullets’ new addition, Keandre Cook, has been cooking on the court since joining the team for the NBL25 season. The 27-year-old import sharpshooter, signed on a one-year deal, has wasted no time making his mark in the league.
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Keandre Cook, early impact
Cook’s debut with the Bullets has been nothing short of spectacular. In the season opener against the Breakers, he posted an impressive 25 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Nine of his 25 came as Brisbane took on a 18-2 run late in the game, bombing away three triples to put the game within two.
Cook followed this with a solid two-way performance against the Hawks, contributing 17 points, 3 steals, and 1 block, once again leading the team in scoring.
Though these performances have yet to translate into wins, Cook’s impact is undeniable. Leading the team with 21 points per game, his contributions extend beyond scoring: Cook is tied for first in blocks (1.0 per game) as a guard, alongside centre Tyrell Harrison, and leads the team in steals with 2.5 per game.
Background and experience
Cook brings a wealth of international experience to the team, having played professionally in Hungary, France, Macedonia, and Germany after starting his career in the NBA G-League with Greensboro. Most recently, he won the 2023 Macedonian league and cup double with MZT Skopje.
Before joining the Bullets, Cook showcased his scoring prowess with Crailsheim in the German Bundesliga. In 33 league appearances for the Merlins, he averaged an impressive 14.5 points per game, shooting 48.5% from the field, 45.7% from three-point range, and 89.7% from the free-throw line.
Brisbane coach Justin Schueller expressed his excitement about Cook’s signing before the season, stating, “Keandre comes to us with great experience internationally and fits our needs of an impact scorer and high-level shooter.”
Schueller also praised Cook’s defensive abilities and his potential to complement the existing roster—a facet of his game that he’s already proven in his first two appearances.
For Cook, joining the Bullets fulfils a long-held professional goal. He shared his excitement, saying, “I’ve always dreamed of playing in Australia. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the country and look forward to exploring Brisbane.”
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Fans eager to see Cook continue his hot streak at home won’t have to wait long. He is set to feature at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 5 October, at 8:00 p.m. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Cook to see if he can maintain his impressive form and help elevate the Brisbane Bullets to a long-awaited playoff appearance.
Published 29-September-2024
