Franklin Bulls
Franklin Bulls logo
LeagueNZNBL
FoundedNovember 2019
HistoryFranklin Bulls
2020–present
ArenaFranklin Pool and Leisure Centre
LocationPukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand
Team coloursYellow & black
Main sponsorEnviroNZ
Head coachSebastian Gleim
OwnershipJamie Reddish & Scott Kelso (co-founders)
Championships0
Websitebullsbasketball.nz

The Franklin Bulls are a New Zealand basketball team based in Pukekohe, Auckland. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls.

Team history

In July 2019, the Franklin Bulls were granted provisional entry into the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2021 season.[1] However, following the withdrawal of the Southern Huskies and Super City Rangers,[2] the Bulls expedited their process to complete a set of requirements set down by the league, and in November 2019, they were granted entry into the NBL for the 2020 season.[3] The team was co-founded by Jamie Reddish and Scott Kelso.[4]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was initially suspended indefinitely.[5][6] The league returned in a reduced format based entirely in Auckland at The Trusts Arena.[7][8] The inaugural Bulls roster was coached by Liam Simmons and featured Dom Kelman-Poto, Isaac Davidson, Everard Bartlett and Sam Timmins.[9] The team finished fifth in the regular season with a 7–7 record and lost 99–90 in their elimination final against the Taranaki Mountainairs.[10][11]

In 2021, the Bulls finished their first full season in the league in eighth place with a 5–13 record.[12] The team was coached by Jamie Reddish[13] and featured Isaac Davidson and Denhym Brooke.[14]

For the 2022 season, the Bulls recruited Jayden Bezzant, Leon Henry and Corey Webster[15] alongside new coach Morgan Maskell.[16] They finished the regular season in eighth place with a 7–11 record.[17] Webster was named Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard.[18]

In 2023, the Bulls were considered a success story under new coach Daniel Sokolovsky.[17] Their roster included imports Rickey McGill and Jamaal Brantley, as well as Jayden Bezzant, Dan Fotu, Tyrell Harrison, Isaac Davidson and Dom Kelman-Poto.[19] Mid season additions included Matt Freeman and Jared Wilson-Frame.[17] They finished the regular season in fourth place with a 12–6 record[20][21] and defeated the Wellington Saints 124–104 in the play-in game.[22] In the semi-final, the Bulls lost 92–67 to the Auckland Tuatara.[23]

Season by season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

SeasonGPWLW–L%FinishFinals
20201477.5005thLost Elimination Final, 90–99 (Taranaki Mountainairs)
202118513.2788thDid not qualify
202218711.3898thDid not qualify
202318126.6674thWon Preliminary Final, 124–104 (Wellington Saints)
Lost Semi Final, 67–92 (Auckland Tuatara)

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Franklin Bulls roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
F 12 New Zealand Davidson, Isaac 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
F 25 New Zealand Kelman-Poto, Dominique 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
F New Zealand Hunt, Jordan 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
G Samoa Leusogi-Ape, Dru-Leo 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G/F New Zealand Rusbatch, Ethan 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
C New Zealand Timmins, Sam 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in)
Head coach
  • Germany Sebastian Gleim
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 14 January 2024

References

  1. ↑ "FRANKLIN BULLS SET TO ENTER NBL IN 2021". nznbl.basketball. 12 July 2019. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019.
  2. ↑ "New Franklin Bulls franchise ready for next year's national league". odt.co.nz. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "FRANKLIN BULLS SET TO CHARGE INTO NBL 2020". nznbl.basketball. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019.
  4. ↑ "New Head Coach to take over Bulls as "Coach Dan" steps down". bullsbasketball.nz. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Coronavirus: NZ NBL considers options ahead of planned season start". Stuff.co.nz. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "SAL'S NBL MEN POSTPONE 2020 SEASON, NOW LOOKING AT A MODIFIED COMPETITION TO COMMENCE IN MAY OR JUNE". nznbl.basketball. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "AUCKLAND TO HOST 2020 SAL'S NBL, TIPPING OFF 23 JUNE". nznbl.basketball. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "2020 SAL'S NBL WILL BE PLAYED AT THE TRUSTS ARENA IN AUCKLAND". nznbl.basketball. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  9. ↑ Williams, Peter (17 June 2020). "2020 Franklin Bulls season preview: Twin towers lead Bulls in first NZNBL campaign". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "AIRS THROUGH TO FINAL 4 WITH WIN OVER BULLS". nznbl.basketball. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  11. ↑ Williams, Peter (4 August 2020). "2020 Sal's NBL team review: Franklin Bulls". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "SAINTS PUT ON A CLINIC IN BULLS' FINAL GAME". countiessportshub.co.nz. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "Bulls Season Comes to An End". bullsbasketball.nz. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "BULLS FALL IN FINAL ROAD GAME OF 2021". countiessportshub.co.nz. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  15. ↑ Williams, Peter (26 April 2022). "2022 NZNBL preview: Franklin Bulls". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Morgan Maskell named Franklin Bulls head coach for 2022 NBL". nzsportswire.com. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 Egan, Brendon (9 July 2023). "Franklin Bulls' memorable NBL season rolls on with top two finish in sight". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  18. ↑ Egan, Brendon (9 August 2022). "Wellington Saints' star Xavier Cooks earns NBL MVP honours". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022.
  19. ↑ Egan, Brendon; Hinton, Marc (6 April 2023). "Your team by team guide to the 2023 NBL basketball season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "Rams top Bulls, lock up the third seed for NBL playoffs". nzsportswire.com. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  21. ↑ "CASEY'S CORNER – FINAL 6 PREVIEW". nznbl.basketball. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  22. ↑ Hinton, Marc (20 July 2023). "NBL playoffs: Canterbury Rams ride luck to pip Hawks; Franklin Bulls upset Saints". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  23. ↑ Egan, Brendon (21 July 2023). "NBL playoffs: Jarrad Weeks stars as Tuatara ease their way into final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
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