Springwood native Angus Brandt’s size, strength and energy on the basketball court is in demand from one side of the world to the other.
The 208cm, 112kg basketballer has been playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League with powerhouse team BC Neptunas, and has just signed a two-year deal with 2016 NBL champions Perth Wildcats.
The 26-year-old was excited to be joining a hard-working team with a proven track record and brings a variety of skills to the team.
“I can help with rebounding, being a low post presence as well as stretching the floor, and having the ability to get out and run as a bigger player,” the centre/forward said.
Speaking to the Gazette from Lithuania, Brandt has broadened his skills overseas, learning to play basketball in a European setting with slightly different rules to Australian basketball.
“Lithuania has been a challenge, but one that I'm thankful I embraced. I've had some good and bad games but I'm really enjoying being part of a team that has a chance to win the championship,” he said.
BC Neptunas are sitting 2-1 in a best of five semi-final series, with a good chance of making it into the championship best of seven series.
Brandt will return to Australia next month, and has also made the 26-player Australian Boomers Olympic squad, which will be cut down to 16 players in June. If he makes the cut, he will attend a selection camp in July.
Brandt first joined the Boomers for 2014’s Sino-Australia challenge. He’s also been part of the Sydney Kings since 2014, and this season took out the Mike Wrublewski Most Influential Player Award, and finished the season averaging 12 points and seven rebounds a game.
Meanwhile, East Blaxland basketballer Adam Lulka, Penrith’s leading point-scorer and starting five centre, has been training with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence men’s team in Canberra, playing a couple of games with them in the South East Australian Basketball League competition.
