Melbourne Hoops Legend Joins Bullets Coaching Staff

Melbourne basketball legend Darryl McDonald has been named as an assistant coach at the Brisbane Bullets under former United assistant Justin Schueller.

McDonald – who won three NBL championships and Sixth Man of the Year Award during his playing career – retired from his playing in 2008 and immediately took on a coaching role at Melbourne.

He stood in as interim coach in 2011 and took over duties from Chris Anstey after he stepped down from Melbourne’s head coaching position just one game into the 2014-15 season. He left the club at the end of that season but re-joined as an assistant in 2020.

“D-Mac is one of the best player development coaches I know in our country and with the vision of our program to be a place where players get better, I can’t think of a better person to add to our staff,” head coach Justin Schueller said.

“Mac is a winner. He has won as both a player and a coach at this level and that’s what we need in this program.

“Having strong relationships with both Greg (Vanderjagt) and Darryl was important to me as we build to turn this program around."

“It’s an exciting time for the club,” McDonald added.

“We have two Olympians on our roster to build around.

“I can’t wait to get started working with the coaching staff, players and entire Bullets organisation." 

The addition of McDonald is the latest in a raft of off-season changes being made by the Bullets.

Former Townsville Crocodile and assistant coach Peter Crawford has departed the program after two years in Brisbane, while Pero Cameron leaves after joining the side in December.

Brisbane’s Nathan Sobey and Tyrell Harrison are in action for their international sides this week before the NBL23 Championship Series gets underway on Friday, March 3.