The Brisbane Bullets signed former NBA guard Raul Neto as an injury replacement player on Tuesday, moving swiftly to stabilize their roster after Lithuanian playmaker Arnas Velička was ruled out for up to two months with a quadriceps injury, according to reports from Fox Sports and The Sporting Base.
Arnas Velička Sidelines and Roster Impact
The injury setback halts a productive start for Velička, who averaged 13.8 points and 10.2 assists across his first five Australian National Basketball League appearances. Fox Sports reported that the guard faces an eight-week recovery period due to the quad strain. Italian outlet pianetabasket.com noted that the Lithuanian floor general’s absence deals a heavy blow to Brisbane as the club attempts to climb out of the lower tier of the ten-team league standings.
To bridge the gap while Neto travels to Australia, guard Josh Duach will suit up for Thursday night’s home fixture against South East Melbourne, The Sporting Base reported. The signing remains subject to official NBL league approval.
Raul Neto Brings NBA and Olympic Pedigree
Neto arrives in Brisbane with extensive top-tier experience. Selected 47th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-2 Brazilian guard logged 435 regular-season appearances and 14 playoff games across eight NBA seasons between 2015 and 2023, playing for the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, and Cleveland Cavaliers, Fox Sports reported. pianetabasket.com added that Neto also made brief appearances in Europe during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons, playing for FC Barcelona and Spanish club San Pablo Burgos, where he averaged 10.5 points and 4 assists across 31 games.
Internationally, Neto has represented Brazil across multiple FIBA tournaments and two Olympic Games. He views the NBL stint as an ideal platform to maintain peak form ahead of upcoming national team fixtures.
I was looking for somewhere I could compete at a high level while preparing for the national team,
Neto told The Sporting Base. The NBL is a very competitive league and a new challenge for me.
Will Weaver Outlines Club Ambitions
Brisbane Bullets head coach and president of basketball operations Will Weaver emphasized that Neto’s arrival provides vital leadership during a demanding stretch of the season. Weaver pointed to the guard’s extensive background across North American, European, and international competition as an immediate asset for the squad.
Raul brings a wealth of experience from the NBA, Europe and international basketball,
Weaver said, according to The Sporting Base. His excitement to join us reflects the reputation our club is building and we’re excited for how he can help us compete during his time in Brisbane.
Brisbane hosts South East Melbourne on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. AEDT, with the match broadcast live on ESPN, The Sporting Base reported. Whether Neto can secure permanent clearance in time to debut immediately following the upcoming FIBA window remains to be seen as league officials review the contract documentation.
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