Rusbatch Returns for Season 2025!

One of New Zealand's most capped current SalsNBL players will return to play for the Franklin Bulls in 2025, eyeing another run at the SalsNBL Championship.

In season 2024, Ethan Rusbatch played his 200th SalsNBL game with the Franklin Bulls vs the Southland Sharks, whom fittingly was also the first ever team he played for. 2024 was another stellar year for the Tall Black, averaging 41% from the three and leading the Bulls squad to another semi-final berth, coming painfully short of the club's first ever Grand Final appearance.

Rusbatch also joined the Tall Blacks in 2024, as they attempted to qualify for the Olympics. The team started well with a win over Croatia, but weren't able to overcome the star power of Solvenia to qualify.

Most recently, Rusbatch recently travelled to Europe to play in Finland, being called up to play for Pyrinto Tampere, where he is currently playing.

It's Rusbatch's experience as a professional and playing at the highest level, which makes him a key cog in the Head Coach Sebastian Gleim's squad for 2025.

"Having Ethan back in the Bulls team for 2025 is a big signing. He keeps us together; trains and plays tough all the time and is committed to what we are doing.

We wish him all the best for his season in Finland and can’t wait to see him back on the court for the Bulls."

This will be the first announced signing of New GM, Jamie Reddish, who takes on the challenge of putting together a squad to compete for a championship.

"We always want to be a playoff team. That was the goal we set when we started this club. We don't want to make up numbers! That's why Ethan is key for us. His leadership above all else is something that is invaluable. We saw that last season. We know that with Ethan back in the team, we have a chance of again making the playoffs and again making a run at the chip".

Rusbatch captained the Bulls in 2024, and helped the club achieve some new milestones, including recording an equal winning record to the Bulls 2023 squad in the regular season and achieved another quarter-final win over the Wellington Saints. The Bulls, led by Rusbatch were the only team to beat the eventual champions (the Canterbruy Rams) on both occasions during the 2024 season.

Get your season pass to see Ethan play for the Bulls in season 25.

https://www.bullsbasketball.nz/memberships