Meet the 464-game NBA veteran tasked with ending two-decade drought

It was with that declaration that Brisbane Bullets recruit Raul Neto stated his intent to the NBL, as he aims to restore his new outfit to championship contention and end two decades of pain.

The 464-game NBA veteran, and two-time Olympian with Brazil, arrives in Queensland as an injury replacement for star guard Arnas Velicka, and has been tasked with spearheading the end of his new club’s time spent in the NBL doldrums.

Brisbane has not tasted championship glory since the 2006–07 campaign. Nor have they qualified for the play-offs since the 2018–19 season – their sole appearance at the business end of the competition since they returned to the fold having collapsed due to financial stresses in 2008.

Fresh off clinching a 115-105 triumph of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, ending a three-game losing streak, the Bullets snapped up Neto to replace Velicka – the league assists leader (10.2 per game) who is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks with a leg injury.

The 34-year-old could be included as early as Brisbane’s clash with the ladder-leading Tasmania Jack Jumpers on Wednesday night. He last played at club level for San Pablo Burgos in Spain before spending “two months without even touching a basketball” and focusing on his family.

Bullets coach Will Weaver said there was no guarantee Neto would take to the court so quickly, laughing “it’s not up to me, I’m not the one with the PhD or the MD or physio background”.

“We’re really cautious with guys and making sure we don’t get out over our skis, but we didn’t bring him here to hang out, so when he’s ready to rock we’re ready for him,” Weaver added.

Neto was adamant he had the experience and vigour to lift the Bullets from their 3-3 start to the top of the NBL tree.

“I’m at the point in my career where my individual numbers I don’t really care much about. But if I can help the team and help other players get better with my experience and knowledge of the game, and being a leader and point guard on the court, that for me is more important,” Neto said.

“Hopefully, we can win games first, and I can leave a mark on everybody.”

After being drafted at pick 47 by the Atlanta Hawks in 2013, Neto featured in 435 regular-season and 29 play-off fixtures across four American franchises, where he shared the court with Australian superstars Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) and Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers).

He shed light on his relationship with Ingles, revealing the insights he gained from the Boomers’ sensation before cementing his Brisbane move.

“He [Ingles] always said amazing things about Australia and is probably one of the first ones to text me once the news came out [that I was coming to the NBL],” Neto said.

“He was a little bit more experienced when I got to the NBA, he definitely helped me get adapted to the league, to what the game is in the NBA, and besides that, he became a great friend.”

Neto also believed Simmons – who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles while training with the Sacramento Kings on Sunday – would bounce back, having spent a year away from the game.

“I just saw the news, and it’s devastating when somebody’s worked so hard to come back, and he was showing what he actually is and what he was before stepping out for a little bit,” Neto said.

“But I think he is a guy who, if he puts work into it and wants to come back from it, he will come back to what he was. The player he is, and how he gets everybody involved on the court, it was fun to play with and watch up close.”

This NBL window for Neto to re-find his legs in Velicka’s absence goes beyond short-term NBL ambitions, as he casts his eye towards a third Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.

The veteran laughed when asked if a Brisbane return in time for the 2032 Olympics could even be on his radar, suggesting he may not still be playing in six years times. But he expressed his desire to continue representing his country proudly for as long as he could.

“I’ve had some things throughout my career where all those future plans just get thrown away so quickly, from injuries to changing plans to getting cut from teams,” Neto said.

“It’s impossible to not look at the bigger picture, but I think I’m able to enjoy the day-to-day, and I think that’s more important; the journey, rather than where I’m going to be in one or two years.”

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