The Bullet revolution in South East Melbourne

There’s a distinctly Brisbane feel at the South East Melbourne Phoenix heading into NBL24. Former Bullets GM of Basketball Sam Mackinnon has joined as an assistant under new head coach Mike Kelly, while Gorjok Gak and Kody Stattmann have each joined the program after representing Brisbane last season.

Last season was Gak’s first in the NBL and it was a challenging season to say the least, with coaching and personnel changes throughout the campaign.

He made 25 appearances across the season and averaged 4.6 points per game. The Bullets, like the Phoenix, have experienced wholesale changes both on and off the court heading into NBL24, and Gak says he’s happy to have linked back up with Mackinnon ahead of the new season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gorjok Gak splits the defense attacks the rack ?<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel. <a href="https://t.co/qRQTzWNE7g">pic.twitter.com/qRQTzWNE7g</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1601529078363746305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Everybody is new over here and it’s a chance to start from the beginning,” Gak told NBL Media.

“Sam Mackinnon, I love what he does. The games I played for him in Brisbane are the ones where I think I played my best.

“Everybody is new so there’s going to be a whole lot of togetherness, and everybody working together to achieve that one goal, which is to bring a championship here.”

Gak’s signing for the Phoenix emerged as something of a blindside to NBL fans.

The 27-year-old was heavily linked with the emerging project at the Perth Wildcats under John Rillie, however Kelly’s departure from the Wildcats to take the top job at the Phoenix played a key role in Gak’s decision-making.

“I’ve ended up in the right place, I think,” Gak reflected.

“I was definitely in talks (with Perth), but that just never eventuated.

“I would say my relationship with Mike Kelly is definitely something that put it over the top for me. I wanted to go to a place where I knew the coach, I was familiar with the staff, and I knew what he wanted to have in the team.

“Mike wanted defensively-minded people and people who play with energy - people who give all they can for the team.

“I think I fit that perfectly.”

Despite the high number of new faces that are set to grace the green and black side of John Cain Arena this season, the returning players are coming into the season with a chip on their shoulders.

While big pieces Mitch Creek and Alan Williams were both contracted for NBL24 prior to the current off-season, import guard Gary Browne has made the decision to return to the Heartland for at least one more season – and cited “unfinished business” as a key factor in his decision-making.

“He was one of the leaders in the league for assists last year, and he’s a very, very crafty guard,” Gak said of Browne.

“He just sees the game so well.

“I think I have a high IQ as well, so I’m excited to play with someone like that – to play off of him and have him finding me for easy points.

“It’s always great to have a guard like him.”

Gak and South East Melbourne will be playing on the opening day of the upcoming NBL Blitz. For more information on the pre-season tournament, click here.

The Phoenix will also be playing in the opening game of the NBL season against Melbourne United on Thursday, September 28.