The Reverse Pivot

Bruce and Steve reunite after a few months absence. They talk health, what's going on in Queensland basketball, and a round up of the current NBL season and analysis of what's to come in the next season.

The Reverse Pivot is delighted to welcome the enigmatic Cal Bruton to the podcast. Cal Bruton is instrumental in the origins of the NBL having played in the inaugural season in 1979 through to the early 1990s. Bruton starred as a guard for teams including the Brisbane Bullets, Geelong Supercats and Perth Wildcats, winning an NBL championship as a player with the Bullets in 1985 and later leading the Wildcats to a title as coach in 1990. He also earned multiple All‑NBL First Team honours and was named NBL Coach of the Year in 1982. In 1998 he was inducted into the NBL hall of fame. Cal will be hitting the road with NBA superstar Allen Iverson who will be the special guest at HoopFest in Perth from January 15-18, then touring the east coast of Australia. Tickets available via Hoopers Heaven. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Hoopers Heaven.

Bruce and Steve reunite after a few weeks to discuss the latest happenings in the NBL. They give a bit of analysis of each team, before dissecting what is currently going on with their home team The Brisbane Bullets. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Endgame.

Bruce and Steve reunite for another episode about all things basketball. This episode feature analysis on the latest happenings in the NBL, specifically their home team - the Brisbane Bullets. In other news, Bruce and Steve have new basketball-related jobs. They talk about their new roles and the logistics involved, while paying respects to the late Tiana Mangakahia; who was a previous guest and star player at Southern Districts Basketball Association. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Endgame.

More drills are up on The Reverse Pivot's Coaches Corner, including an insightful article by coach Dave Stricklin about the 9 ways to recognise a good drill. www.thereversepivot.com

This is a 2-in-1 episode of The Reverse Pivot. In the first half, Bruce Palmer and Steve McLeod talk about the upcoming NBL season. Then Ryan Stolberg and Marcus Bellchambers join the podcast to talk about their wins in the 1997 Queensland Basketball League and national championship. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Endgame.

The Reverse Pivot sits down with Nigel Purchase. Nigel Purchase is a former Australian basketball player who went on to become the CEO and Founder of Chase Basketball, an organisation dedicated to developing athletes and promoting the game at the grassroots and elite levels. During his playing career, he competed in the National Basketball League (NBL) with the Melbourne Tigers and later the Hobart Devils, earning respect as a versatile and reliable contributor on the court. Nigel is also the MC at Pete's Bar Luncheon, an annual event in Melbourne that celebrates Australian basketball community. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Endgame.

The Reverse Pivot podcast talks basketball with Oliver Reid. Oliver Reid is a seasoned development coach and educator. He is currently the NBL1 Assistant Coach at the Brisbane Capitals and also the Community & Development Manager at the Brisbane Bullets. In this pod, Oliver talks about his new role at the Bullets and how it fosters game development among young players and also introduces the Brisbane Bullet's Coaches Academy; which offers coaches an immersive learning experience and insight into an NBL program. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Al Westover a prolific basketball coach with 1500 games under his belt. He is best known for leading the Melbourne Tigers to two NBL championships (2006 and 2008) after succeeding Lindsay Gaze as head coach (where he also won two championships as assistant coach). Westover also had a successful three-year coaching stint in Japan, taking the Shiga Lakestars to their first-ever playoff appearance. Al is currently running the basketball program at Box Hill Senior Secondary, which has a track record of producing NBA players. Bruce and Steve take a deep dive into his career and ask about the current state of the NBL. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

David Claxton joins Bruce Palmer and Steve McLeod for another episode of The Reverse Pivot. For over more than 40 years in the game, Dave has significantly contributed to the development of basketball in Queensland and nationally. His roles included state and national team coach including the Australian Boomers, alongside the Brisbane Bullets, Gold Coast Rollers and Adelaide 36ers. David was instrumental in bringing the NBL back to the Gold Coast as the General Manager of the Gold Coast Blaze. He also was responsible for bringing Leroy Loggins to the Brisbane Bullets. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Basketball legend Shane Froling joins Bruce and Steve to talk about his career and family in the Australian basketball scene. Shane Froling is a former NBL player who competed with teams including the Eastside Spectres, Hobart Devils, Brisbane Bullets and Townsville Suns throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. A versatile forward and respected figure in Australian basketball, he went on to coach at various levels, including with the Townsville Heat and Crocodiles. Shane is married to former WNBL star Jenny Froling , and together they’ve raised a remarkable basketball family—daughters Alicia and Keely have both played professionally in the WNBL, while sons Harry and Sam have forged successful careers in the NBL. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

Brian Goorjian is an Australian Basketball Hall of Fame recipient with six NBL championships to his name (including three in a row). Brian is set to join the coaching staff for the New York Knicks summer league, which builds upon decades of coaching at an elite level in both Australia and China; including leading the Boomers in the Olympics in 2004, 2008, 2020 and 2024. Brian Goorjian is currently the head coach of the Sydney Kings. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.

The Reverse Pivot welcomes established basketball coach, journalist and producer Brayden Heslehurst to the podcast. Brayden has had an accomplished career in basketball and is very enthusiastic about the game. He is the winner of the inaugural NBL1 championship in 2021, a two time medal winner representing QLD and head coach of the QLD Women. He is also an athlete mentor and basketball shooting coach at Assist Athletic Services and the head of editorial content for basketball.com.au. Braydney sits down with Bruce and Steve to talk QLD basketball, his career and give input on the latest news in the NBL. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Bubble Boardz.