Bullets add dynamic import guard Batemon

Thursday, July 18, 2024

"He is coming off an outstanding recent year in Israel and we only see him continuing to grow in our league."

The Brisbane Bullets have secured a key piece in their roster build, announcing the addition of American import James Batemon.

Shannon Scott’s departure was announced on Wednesday morning, despite having a year remaining on his contract, with Batemon coming in to play the point guard role.

The signing of the dynamic 6'1 point guard, known for his exceptional playmaking and scoring ability, completes the Bullets’ roster for their upcoming campaign.

Following a successful collegiate career at Loyola Marymount, Batemon began his professional basketball journey in Europe. The 27-year-old last played in Israel for Kiryat Ata where he averaged 17.3 points and 3.8 assists per game and has prior experience playing in Greece, Germany and France. While in France playing for Tours Métropole Basket in 2021/22, he was named the LNB Pro B Most Valuable Player.

“James is a high-level impact scorer, floor leader and competitor and we love his impact at both ends of the floor,” head coach Justin Schueller told the club’s website.

“He is coming off an outstanding recent year in Israel and we only see him continuing to grow in our league.

“He is going to be a fan favourite with his play on the floor and his personality off the floor.”

Batemon is excited to join his new teammates in Brisbane.

“I know the NBL is a really good league. Talking to the staff [in Brisbane] they want to compete, and I know we have the pieces to do it,” he said.

“What I’m looking forward to most is the intensity of the league and being able to play in front of a lot of fans on a night in night out basis.”

“I love to win, so I’ll do whatever I’ve got to do to get it. I’m a great three-point shooter, I can attack, I can get my teammates involved and score when they need me too, but also make plays for others.

“… (I’m) a tough competitor who’s going to fight on both ends of the court.”

Batemon joins Josh Bannan, Tyrell Harrison, Sam McDaniel, Mitch Norton, Casey Prather, Keandre Cook, Isaac White, Rocco Zikarsky, Deng Adel, Tohi Smith-Milner, Jarred Bairstow and Development Players Kye Savage, Josh Kunen and Tristan Devers on the Bullets’ NBL25 roster.

The Bullets will take on the Shanghai Sharks at Nissan Arena Friday, August 23 in a pre-season game.