Why "head of the snake" has Brisbane believing again

Brisbane Bullets fans didn't have to wait long to see what Arnas Velička is all about, and last Saturday's pre-season opener gave them plenty to like.

With 12 points, 13 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, the 26-year-old put the League on notice, offering an early glimpse of the force he's set to be in the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season.

It's a start that's already got former NBL champion Mark Worthington floating him as an 'MVP smokey', and Velička is turning heads well beyond just the fans.

"He's definitely the head of the snake. The decisions he makes with the ball in his hands. The confidence he brings," Head Coach Will Weaver said on 10 News.

"He's one great facilitator, especially having his size, being 6'5"," fellow import Nate Hinton continued.

"Having a tall facilitator is always a good thing ... he has that size.

"He's played at the highest level, played with some of my former teammates ... they told me great things. Seeing him here versus seeing the film, it's definitely good."

It's a level of impact that shouldn't come as a surprise. Velička arrives in Brisbane off an MVP-winning season with Lithuanian club Neptūnas, where he twice led the FIBA Europe Cup in assists and averaged 14.4 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game, while shooting 41 per cent from three-point range.

He's also no stranger to the international stage, having represented Lithuania at both the FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket qualifying campaigns.

"It's something new for the league, as there aren't many European guards over here," Velička said of his arrival.

"I played in Germany; I think similar types of point guards were smaller and more scoring orientated, so I think I'll be a little bit different. But I play whatever the team needs, just whatever it takes to get the win."

The Bullets have wasted no time rebuilding after finishing last in NBL26.

Tyrell Harrison remains a constant in the starting five, but outside a core of Mitch Norton, Jacob Holt, Taine Murray and Sam McDaniel, this is a squad that's been almost entirely made over.

With a proven track record in the NBL and abroad, Weaver's experience could also prove the difference in the Bullets' push back up the ladder.

"Brisbane haven't been performing really well the last few years, so they have a vision to get this program up and running, and I was excited to join in," Velička added.

"He (Weaver) really believed in me and in my skills and in my game; he thought I would fit here well. So I believed in the vision, and I'm happy to be here.

"I love our roster. We have many different players who can do a bit of everything; we play different positions. I think we're going to be good in defence and in general in offence, just coming from the transition, playing as a team and sharing the ball."

The Bullets tip off their season with a historic open-air game against the New Zealand Breakers on September 22.

>> CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS