The Reverse Pivot

The Reverse Pivot welcomes John Rillie to the podcast. John Rillie is the head coach of the Perth Wildcats and a former NBL player who appeared in 481 games across a 15-year career. A prolific shooting guard, he was named NBL Rookie of the Year in 1995, won the 1998 championship with the Adelaide 36ers and represented Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Rillie later spent more than a decade coaching in the US college system before serving as an assistant coach during the Boomers’ historic bronze-medal campaign at the Tokyo Olympics. He took charge of the Wildcats in 2022 and is contracted with the club through the end of the 2027–28 season. Want to collaborate with The Reverse Pivot? Sponsorship opportunities now available. Visit www.thereversepivot.com to learn more.

The Reverse Pivot with Shawn Dennis. Shawn Dennis has enjoyed a successful coaching career across both Australia and Japan. In Australia, he has held head coaching roles with the Townsville Crocodiles and Townsville Fire, while also serving as an assistant coach with several National Basketball League clubs and contributing to Australia's national team programs. Internationally, Dennis has coached in Japan's B.League, bringing his player development expertise and leadership to one of Asia's premier professional basketball competitions. Listen to an insightful chat about his playing and coaching career.

The Reverse Pivot welcomes the elite Brad Newley to the podcast! Brad Newley is one of Australia's most accomplished basketball players of the modern era, enjoying a professional career that spanned more than two decades across the NBL and Europe's top leagues. After playing with the Townsville Crocodiles, he was selected 54th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, although he never played in the NBA, instead building an outstanding international career in Greece, Turkey, Lithuania and Spain before returning to the NBL with the Sydney Kings and later Melbourne United. A two-time Olympian (2008 and 2012), multiple-time Australian Boomer and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Newley was renowned for his versatility, athleticism and professionalism. He retired in 2024 after more than 300 NBL games.

The Reverse Pivot welcomes NBL legend Leroy Loggins to the podcast. Leroy Loggins is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Australian basketball history. Born in the United States, he arrived in Australia in 1981 and became the cornerstone of the Brisbane Bullets dynasty, helping the club win multiple NBL championships while earning three league MVP awards. Renowned for his scoring, defence, athleticism, and leadership, Loggins became one of the most decorated players in NBL history. After becoming an Australian citizen, he represented the Australian Boomers at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. His remarkable 20-year NBL career and lasting impact on Australian basketball have cemented his status as a true legend of the sport.

The Reverse Pivot welcomes very special guest Boti Nagy. Australian basketball writer Boti Nagy is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in the history of Australian basketball. Covering the game for more than four decades, he reported on every National Basketball League (NBL) and Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) franchise from their inception, earning multiple Basketball Writer of the Year awards and building a reputation for fearless commentator and passionate advocate for the sport. Bruce and Steve dissect some of Boti's work, and get his insight into the upcoming season of the NBL.

The Reverse Pivot welcomes NBL great Darryl McDonald to the podcast. Darryl McDonald is one of the most iconic point guards in NBL history and prominent in the league's growth in 1990s and 2000s. An American-born player who came to Australia in 1994, “D-Mac” made his mark with teams like the North Melbourne Giants and the Melbourne Tigers and won three championships in his career. Now a coach, Darryl reflects on his history as a ball player including his early years playing street basketball in New York City. With this podcast we lobby that Darryl McDonald joins the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education and Big Dog Sports.

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 proudly welcomes Phil Smyth to the podcast. Phil is one of Australia’s most accomplished basketball players and coaches. Renowned for his leadership and defensive prowess, Smyth was a standout point guard who captained the Australian Boomers at multiple Olympic Games, including 1984, 1988, and 1992. Over his distinguished international career, Smyth instrumental in elevating the nation’s basketball profile on the global stage. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Hooper’s Heaven.

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 Palmer visits Pete's Bar Luncheon. Recorded live on the 28th of November 2025. Pete's Bar Luncheon is an annual basketball function, reuniting current and former players, coaches, referees and other personnel involved with Australian Basketball. The event has been running each year since 2010. This episode contains segments from guest speakers: Jennie Sager - CEO of the WNBL Ezi Magbegor - WNBA player and Australian Opal Darren Smith - Chief Operating Office for the Jack Jumpers Warrick Giddey - Two time NBL champion The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Endgame.

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.

The Reverse Pivot returns to talk basketball, specifically the NBL, with special guest Andrew Johnstone. Andrew Johnstone is a prominent figure in Australian basketball, particularly known for his extensive work in the media, communications and administrative side of the sport. For more than three decades, he has held senior roles including media producer and interviewer for the FIBA World Basketball television program, General Manager of Communications for the National Basketball League (NBL) and commentator on NBL games for ABC Television. Currently he serves as Communications Manager for the Camberwell District Basketball Association, where he designs and delivers development programs such as “Outside the Lines,” aimed at helping young people explore non-playing careers in basketball and sports media. 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.

Coach Bruce Palmer talks about the latest drills uploaded onto The Reverse Pivot website. There are five more offensive drills adapted from coaching talents of Gianmarco Sapio and the late Lute Olson. View the drills on www.thereversepivot.com/coachescorner

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

The Reverse Pivot welcomes guest Andre Moore to the podcast. Andre Moore is a former American basketball player best known for his impact in the NBL. A key contributor to the Brisbane Bullets in the late 1980s, Andre helped the Bullets to a Grand Final appearance and quickly became a fan favourite for his dynamic playing style and presence on the court. Moore played several strong seasons in the NBL with the Bullets, establishing himself as one of the league’s top imports and a cornerstone of Brisbane’s competitive run during that era. Before his NBL career, he played college basketball at Loyola University Chicago and briefly in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. From 1999 - 2001, Andre played for the Cairns Taipans. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Endgame.

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 Coaches Corner latest upload is two horn drills to improve your game. Download the document at: www.thereversepivot.com/coachescorner

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 invites NBL champion Sam McKinnon to the studio to talk about his winning career in basketball. Sam was a standout forward who played for teams the South East Melbourne Magic, Brisbane Bullets, and Melbourne Tigers. His career highlights include winning the NBL Championship with the Bullets in 2007, being named the league’s Most Valuable Player that same year, and representing Australia as part of the Boomers at multiple international tournaments, including the Sydney 2000 Olympics. In 2017, Sam transitioned into coaching, leading teams the Brisbane Bullets, South East Melbourne Phoenix and Taranki Airs. The Reverse Pivot is proudly sponsored by Brian Kerle Basketball Academy, FIT Education, Big Dog Sports & Endgame.