BREAKING: Bullets, Duncan Part Ways

The Brisbane Bullets and Head Coach James Duncan have agreed to mutually part ways, effective immediately.

The decision comes after extensive meetings between club CEO Peter McLennan and the Bullets’ ownership group.

After entering the season with championship aspirations – largely thanks to the acquisition of big-name signings Tyler Johnson and Aron Baynes – the Bullets have faltered to a 3-6 record in NBL23, and currently sit second bottom on the ladder.

They were the final team of NBL23 to register a win after dropping their first six games of the season before rebounding to win two of their last three games.

Since signing on as Brisbane’s head coach in June 2021, Duncan oversaw 37 NBL games for just 13 wins.

“JD is a high character individual, and just an all-round great guy which makes this all the more difficult, we felt the time was now to pivot and take a change of direction,” McLennan said.

“We will work at pace and diligently consider our next steps for the organisation. The club would like to sincerely thank JD for his hard work and commitment over the past year and a half and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”

GM of Basketball and two-time NBL Champion Sam Mackinnon will lead the Bullets as interim head coach.

MacKinnon earned NBL Rookie of the Year honours while representing the South East Melbourne Magic in 1994 before adding a championship with the same organisation in 1997.

He played an integral part as a player in Brisbane’s last championship in 2007, earning NBL MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Grand Final MVP honours in the award-laden year.