C. J. Bruton
Wollongong Hawks | ||||||||||||
2000–2001 | Sioux Falls Skyforce | |||||||||||
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2001 | Marinos de Anzoategui | |||||||||||
2001–2003 | Canberra Cannons | |||||||||||
2003–2006 | Sydney Kings | |||||||||||
2006–2008 | Brisbane Bullets | |||||||||||
2008–2014 | New Zealand Breakers | |||||||||||
2009 | Ironi Ashkelon | |||||||||||
2010–2011 | Piratas de Quebradillas | |||||||||||
2016 | Brisbane Spartans | |||||||||||
As coach: | ||||||||||||
2007 | South West Metro Pirates | |||||||||||
2011 | Piratas de Quebradillas | |||||||||||
2015–2016 | Brisbane Spartans | |||||||||||
2016–2021 | Brisbane Bullets (assistant) | |||||||||||
2021–2023 | Adelaide 36ers | |||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||
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Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | ||||||||||||
Medals
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Calvin Thomas "C. J." Bruton Jr. (born 13 December 1975) is an American-Australian professional
.Bruton was born in the United States and grew up in Australia before returning to the United States to play college basketball for Indian Hills Community College from 1995 to 1997. Bruton was a second round selection of the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1997 NBA draft and traded to the Portland Trail Blazers but did not make the team's roster.
Bruton has served as head coach of the Brisbane Spartans in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) and was as an assistant coach for the Brisbane Bullets between 2016 and 2021. In 2021, he became head coach of the Adelaide 36ers. He parted ways with the 36ers midway through the 2023–24 season.
Early life
Bruton was born in Wichita, Kansas.[1][2] He grew up in Perth, Western Australia, watching his father Cal play with and coach the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).[3]
Playing career
Early years
In 1994, Bruton debuted for the
On 25 June 1997, Bruton was selected with the 52nd overall pick by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1997 NBA draft. His draft rights were later traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a draft night trade.[5]
Upon returning to the NBL in 1998, Bruton played for the
In October 2000, he spent training camp with the Portland Trail Blazers. In November 2000, he joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce for the 2000–01 CBA season.
In 2001, Bruton joined the
Brisbane Bullets
Bruton signed for the cashed-up Brisbane Bullets for the 2006–07 NBL season, joining a star-studded team that also featured
During the 2007 NBL offseason, Bruton coached the South West Metro Pirates of the
In the 2007–08 NBL season, Bruton took on an increased role on offense and averaged 19.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists in 33 games. The Bullets finished the regular season in third position with a 20–10 record, but eventually dipped out in the semi-finals to the eventual champions the Melbourne Tigers. For his efforts, Bruton was named in the All-NBL Second Team.
New Zealand Breakers
After the Brisbane Bullets became defunct, Bruton signed with the New Zealand Breakers with clear intentions of winning a championship. Bruton's signing gave the Breakers' stability and direction at the point guard position, something that had previously been missing. The Breakers started off the 2008–09 NBL season 15–4, but the loss of Bruton to a high-ankle sprain was telling, as the Breakers lost eight of their final eleven games. After winning through to a best-of-three semi-final series against the defending champion Melbourne Tigers, the Breakers suffered the same fate as Bruton's Bullets a year ago, swept 2–0.
In the 2009–10 NBL season, Bruton appeared in all 28 games for the Breakers, and averaged 16.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. But despite Bruton's best efforts were in vain, with the Breakers finishing 15–13 for the season and in fifth place, missing out on the semi-finals.
In the 2010–11 NBL season, Bruton's playing role reduced, as he averaged only 25 minutes per game (as opposed to 32 minutes per game in the previous season). Consequently, his individual numbers slipped, average 11.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. However, on the team front, the Breakers became the first professional franchise based in New Zealand to win an Australian league. Bruton hit two three-pointers in the fourth quarter of the championship-deciding game against the Cairns Taipans to seal the championship. It was Bruton's fourth NBL title in his illustrious career.
On 16 March 2012, Bruton re-signed with Breakers for another two seasons. Bruton then would go on to become the only player to win five NBL titles when the Breakers won a hard-fought grand final against Perth Wildcats.[11] He was subsequently named the 2012 Finals MVP.[12]
On 12 April 2013, the Breakers recorded their third NBL championship, sweeping the Perth Wildcats 2–0 in the grand final series, thus winning his sixth title.
On 8 December 2013, Bruton played his 500th game in an 82–84 loss to the Melbourne Tigers.[13][14]
On 21 March 2014, Bruton played his final NBL game in an 83–95 loss to the Cairns Taipans. In front of a huge Breakers' crowd at Vector Arena with family and friends in attendance, he recorded 11 points, 3 assists and 1 rebound in what was his 516th NBL game.[15][16][17][18]
In October 2014, Bruton's No. 23 jersey was retired by the Breakers.[19][20]
Israel/Puerto Rico
In March 2009, following the 2008–09 NBL season, Bruton joined Ironi Ashkelon for the rest of the 2008–09 Israeli Basketball Super League season.
In April 2010, following the 2009–10 NBL season, Bruton joined
Coaching career
On 1 December 2014, Bruton was appointed head coach of the Brisbane Spartans men's team for the 2015
Bruton was an assistant coach with the Australian Boomers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and helped secure a gold medal.[26]
On 10 September 2021, Bruton was appointed head coach of the Adelaide 36ers on a three-year deal.[26] On 6 December 2023, he parted ways with the 36ers. He had a win-loss record of 27–40 over 67 games.[27]
National team career
Bruton debuted for the
Personal
Bruton is the son of Calvin and Patricia. He and his wife, Jessica, have three sons: Rio, Roc and Diggy.[29]
References
- ^ "C.J. Bruton". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ a b "C.J. Bruton". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 December 2005. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ "Bruton's triple thrill". smh.com.au. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ "2013 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES". Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ C.J. Bruton Player Profile – RealGM
- ^ "25th Anniversary Team – CJ Bruton". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ MightyMite Sydney Kings announce 25th Anniversary Team
- ^ Bruton to miss QABL opener
- ^ "CJ Bruton to coach Pirates in QABL". The Age. 5 December 2006. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018.
- ^ CJ takes on dual role
- ^ "Bruton Will End Career With The SKYCITY Breakers". NBL.com.au. 16 March 2012. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
- ^ Bruton 'the difference' for Breakers in title win
- ^ "R9 Report: Farrakhan delivers, Melbourne edge Breakers". Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ^ "CJ's 500th Game". Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ^ "R23 Report: Taipans block Bruton's Vector celebrations". Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ "TRIBUTES FLOW FOR DEPARTING BRUTON BUT ONE MORE GAME TO PLAY". Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ "BRUTON FAMILY WILL WITNESS FINAL GAME ON FRIDAY". Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ "HUGE CROWD LIKELY FOR BRUTON FINALE". Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ "Bruton Honoured Upon Return to SKYCITY Breakers". nzbreakers.co.nz. 17 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Breakers Two from Two to Start the Season". nzbreakers.co.nz. 17 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Change direction and bring Bruton south
- ^ CJ BRUTON TO COACH BRISBANE SPARTANS
- ^ "NBL BRINGING BACK THE BRISBANE BULLETS". Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ National Basketball League: Brisbane Bullets make comeback after seven-year absence
- ^ Bruton to lace up the boots once again
- ^ a b "CJ Bruton named Adelaide 36ers Head Coach". NBL.com.com. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Club Statement: CJ Bruton". adelaide36ers.com. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "C.J. Bruton". fiba.com. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ "Cover Feature: One on One with CJ Bruton". Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.