Two-Time Champ Heads Back to Home State

Former Perth Wildcat Mitch Norton has returned to the state where his professional career began, and has signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets.

Norton – who won two championships during his time with the Wildcats – began his career with the Townsville Crocodiles in 2011.

Across his 12 seasons in the NBL Norton has averaged 7.2 points, 2.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game while establishing himself as one of the strongest one-on-one lockdown defenders in the NBL.

He was also a finalist for the NBL Defensive Player of the Year award in NBL21, and was a member of Australia’s gold medal winning squads at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Stu (Lash), Justin (Schueller) and the coaching staff are putting together a super combative roster, and that was one of the many reasons the club was so attractive,” Norton said.

“I’ll bring championship experience [and] hard-nosed defence while helping tick the scoreboard over.

“Baynes and Sobey draw a lot of attention, they make the right reads and create a lot of shots for everyone else.

“I can’t wait to play in front of the Brissy fans. It’s a fun, loud, hostile environment – only this time I’ll be one of the good guys.”

“Any time we can add a Queenslander to our roster is a huge positive,” head coach Justin Schueller said.

“From the moment we started our roster build we kept saying we needed a Mitch Norton type in that spot, so when he became available we jumped at the opportunity.

“He fits who we want to be perfectly. He’s hardworking, and elite defender, and a great cultural fit.”

Norton has joined collegiate talent Josh Bannan and former Tasmania pair Isaac White and Sam McDaniel in committing to the Bullets for NBL24.