Leroy's "goosebumps" over Bullets' move

Photo: Brisbane Bullets Media.

If there’s one person that knows the significance of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre to the Bullets’ famed history, it’s Leroy Loggins.

Back in 1987, Loggins hit 36 points and was named the Grand Final MVP as Brisbane claimed its second ever championship in front of more than 12,000 fans at the Entertainment Centre.

He was there when a record 13,221 Bullets fanatics came through the turnstiles in 1990 too, at the time the highest ever NBL crowd.

One of Brisbane’s finest ever players has some of the finest memories of a venue the Bullets will return to for NBL25 and beyond – and he can’t wait to get back there as a fan.

“For me, basketball basically saved my life. So to come to a place like Brisbane and end up in a place like here at the Entertainment Centre, it's such a great feeling,” Loggins said.

“It's embedded in my heart. I love this place. I love this city. I love the support. And I love the Bullets.”

An important step forward for the club!#RIVERCITYSTRONG pic.twitter.com/fWf7ufV6QA

— Brisbane Bullets (@BrisbaneBullets) June 19, 2024

Loggins says he was “getting goosebumps” driving to the venue for Wednesday’s media conference, with the club making the move back to its home throughout a large portion of the 80s and 90s in a bid to welcome more fans “to experience the Brisbane Bullets”.  

It’s a special place for Brian Kerle too, who coached the club to two Championships, lifting the trophy in ’87 alongside Loggins. 

“The people of Brisbane are so important to us and there's hardly a week goes by now that people don’t come up to me and say ‘hey Brian you know I was at the 1987 Grand Final at Boondal?’,” Kerle added.

“It's just an unbelievable feeling today …. I'm starting to think Leroy should be getting ready to dress up and we play again, that's how excited I am at being here.”

After selling out multiple games at their former home, Nissan Arena, across NBL24, the Bullets are taking big strides on and off the court.

While a 10,500-plus seat stadium will open up avenues to new audiences, Brisbane continues works on its new High Performance Centre build in South Brisbane, which will bring the club’s players, coaches and administration under the one roof in the heart of the city. 

The Bullets' 1987 team, including Leroy Loggins (number 30).