'If stars align': Bullet open to extending NBL stay

Losing star import Arnas Velicka to injury could have derailed the Brisbane Bullets’ season. Instead, their swift move to sign Raul Neto has paid off handsomely.

The NBA international star has had no issue adapting to the NBL and while he is only signed short term to cover Velicka’s absence, the question about his future in the League is getting louder.

“I haven’t really made any future plans on my career,” Neto said on Sunday following their win in Adelaide.

“Me being in Brisbane was something that happened out of nowhere and everything just fit together.”

Through his first 4 games, Neto is averaging 10.5 points and 4.5 assists on 58.6 per cent shooting from the field, has yet to miss from the free-throw line, and the Bullets are +5.5 per game with him on the floor.

While a lot of the outside conversations pertain to what he could do next season, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc has reported in previous weeks how other teams are discussing potentially adding him after his time in Brisbane is done.

“If my family support me and my family is with me on the decision of coming back to the NBL, I’ll be really happy playing basketball for sure,” he added.

“I’ve been really open about my focus in life… it’s been my family.”

The 34-year-old is slated to join his Brazilian national team in the FIBA Break, but he's full of praise for his first experience playing in Australia.

“It’s been a good surprise on how organised and how everything is with the NBL.

“Not just Brisbane, which is amazing, but the whole League.

“I think it’s somewhere I can see me playing more, if the stars align and I can be with my family.”

Brisbane next host Perth in an Ignite Cup fixture on Wednesday from 8pm AEDT, live on ESPN.