"Dream challenge": Weaver embraces Brisbane rebuild

It’s been five years since he’s coached in the NBL, but Will Weaver is the man now tasked with turning the Brisbane Bullets around.

The former Sydney Kings coach, who has since spent time in the United States and Europe, was appointed as both Brisbane’s new President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach.

Following the announcement, Weaver joined Pete Hooley for a special episode of NBL Now to explain why he’s so excited to return to the League.

“I love the NBL, I feel like I'm an unpaid marketing member, because every NBA player that asks me and every journalist in France wants to know, is it really that good? I'm like, no it's better,” Weaver said on Thursday’s NBL Now.

“There are very few opportunities to be a head coach in a quality league and a quality place for your family.

“Professionally, it’s the kind of challenge you dream about your whole career, from a life perspective, nobody loves Australia like the Weavers do.

“Anybody who’s spent any time observing what’s gone on over the last 20 years has said, my God, the Brisbane Bullets, that’s the place.

“People in Brisbane shouldn’t have had to watch the basketball team they watched over the past few years.”

Since returning to the NBL in 2016, the Bullets have only made the post-season once, in NBL19, so Weaver knows how much work needs to be done to rebuild the proud franchise.

“I don’t acknowledge that we’re building from the bottom, the build is the thing,” Weaver said.

“There’s been countless folks working their arse off [over the past few years], so it’s my role to come in and remove barriers and create the environment that people can thrive in.

“I’m not seeking to create impressions; I spend all my time obsessing over how to help players live their dreams.

“Players that have been dying for something different and better ... ask for my number because we’re looking.”

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Weaver, who is currently the Coaching Advisor for the Charlotte Hornets, explained the mentality and mantra he will bring to the club when he arrives in the coming months.

“Take care of the fundamentals. Treat people great. Expect a lot of them. Coach it. Demand it,” he said.

The NBL Playoffs continue on Saturday night with a double-header on ESPN.

South East Melbourne will first host Adelaide from 5.30pm AEDT before Perth look to level their series with Sydney at 8pm AEDT.