Bannan pushing case for Next Gen recognition?

Josh Bannan has arrived on the NBL scene. The 22-year-old forward was made to wait for his NBL debut due to injury, and after a sluggish start in his first professional performance he’s gone “bang, bang, bang” in the two games since, according to NBL analyst Liam Santamaria.

Bannan signed with the Bullets after reported extensive interest from Melbourne United, and linked up with the Indiana Pacers for a workout prior to the NBA Draft. He was named Foot Locker Player of the Game in last night’s win over South East Melbourne and is looking like one of the top emerging talents of Australian basketball.

He top-scored in what was a team effort over the Phoenix. His 17 points marked him as one of seven Bullets to hit double-digit scoring for the clash. He also added 11 boards before fouling out.

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Santamaria says while Bannan may have flown under the radar early in the season, he’s now announced himself on the NBL stage.

“There’s been a lot of talk a quarter of the way through the season about the MVP and who is in the mix for that. The Next Gen Award, the guys under 25 who are playing at a high level – Sam Froling, Bobi Klintman, Luke Travers, Ariel Hukporti has to well and truly be in that conversation ... Alex Toohey, Alex Sarr,” Santamaria said.

“There are a lot of young guys playing at a really high level but Josh Bannan has come in these last three games and gone bang, bang, bang, as the Bullets have won all three of those games.

“He’s a guy that flew in a little under the radar as the Next Stars and guys like Lachlan Olbrich, Taran Armstrong, Ben Henshall were getting all the buzz, but he’s a very, very skilled player, draft eligible, the Bullets love him and he’s playing a really important role for them.”

The Bullets have now well and truly turned the losing skid that plagued them in the early reaches of the season, and have now won three straight games to once again lift their record over .500.

While there is still plenty to play out in Round 6, Brisbane currently sits level with the Phoenix on 5-4. Last night’s loss dropped South East Melbourne from second on the ladder, down to fourth.

Santamaria says it’s time to start taking the Bullets seriously as finals contenders.

“They’re going to be a team that’s in the mix for the playoffs, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

“I think when we looked at this team to begin the year we thought they were very solid, they had put together a solid team and if Justin Schueller can get them playing solid it’s not a team that’s going to finish top of the table or win the title, but they’re going to be solid enough to win a lot of games.

“That’s what I feel like they’re looking like.

“The Baynes suspension threw a spanner into the works a little bit, but this is a good team and it’s time for people to start getting their heads around that and certainly for opposing teams to make sure they’re not taking them lightly.”

Brisbane next takes on the JackJumpers on Saturday night, live on ESPN via Kayo at 5:30pm AEDT.