Import Nnanna Egwu predicts better season for Bullets

BRISBANE import Nnanna Egwu says there will be nothing warm, fuzzy or cuddly about the Bullets this NBL season.

The 211cm Egwu has been brought into the squad to cover for injured centres Matt Hodgson (calf) and Will Magnay (ankle) who face a number of weeks on the sidelines with Brisbane’s season-opener just around the corner on October 11.

The Nigerian-born, US-raised Egwu was in his hometown of Chicago preparing for a stint in Malaysia when the Bullets decided to temporarily activate their vacant third import spot to bolster their big-man stocks.

Egwu, 25, will play his first game for the Bullets on Sunday on the Sunshine Coast against Illawarra with his stint in Brisbane colours likely to last just a handful of weeks with both Hodgson and Magnay on the road to recovery.

He spent the past two NBL seasons with Cairns when he averaged almost six points, five rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes a game, so he has hit the training court running.

The former NBA Summer League player for Detroit and Orlando said the new-look Brisbane will be a much tougher proposition for rival clubs this summer after collecting the past two wooden spoons.

“They have some players here that just don’t know how to lose. They absolutely refuse to lose which is great for the culture they are trying to build here,’’ Egwu said.

“There are some great leaders, some players with great experience and some players who play for the Australian national team, which is a real asset in this league.

“It’s a great opportunity to come in and join this club. I’m familiar with the system they run here, familiar with the players so I don’t have to start from scratch, which makes things easier for everyone.’’

The hitout against the Hawks on Sunday at USC Stadium at Sippy Downs will be Brisbane’s last pre-season game against an NBL side before their Round 1 opener against New Zealand in Auckland on October 11.