Cal Bruton facts for kids

Calvin Thomas Bruton, OAM (born 29 September 1954) is an American-born Australian former professional basketball player and coach. He has been a very important part of the National Basketball League (NBL) since it started. Bruton won an NBL championship with the Brisbane Bullets in 1985. He was also chosen twice for the All-NBL First Team while playing for the Geelong Supercats. In 1982, he was named NBL Coach of the Year when he was a player-coach for the Supercats.

He also won another NBL championship as a coach for the Perth Wildcats in 1990. Because of his achievements, Bruton was one of the first people to be added to the NBL Hall of Fame when it opened in 1998. He became an Australian citizen and played for the Australian national basketball team.

Playing Career Highlights

Early Basketball Days

Cal Bruton was a well-known basketball player from Jamaica, Queens in New York City. He played high school basketball at Springfield Gardens. Later, he played college basketball for the Wichita State Shockers. He averaged 12.9 points per game in his final year of college. In 1976, he was chosen for the All-Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) first-team.

After college in 1976, Bruton went back to New York City. He played in local basketball games, including at Rucker Park. He also helped coach the basketball team at his old high school, Springfield Gardens. In July 1977, Bruton was invited to a tryout camp for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He performed well and was invited back to their main training camp. On 4 August 1977, Bruton signed a one-year deal with the Spurs. He was the last player cut from the team before the 1977–78 NBA season began. In 1978, he tried out for the Kansas City Kings.

Starting in Australia

Cal Bruton was asked to play basketball in Australia for the Brisbane Bullets. This was for the National Invitational Basketball League, which is now the National Basketball League (NBL). David Adkins, a coaching director, saw Bruton during his tryout with the Kings. Bruton agreed to join the Bullets in 1979. In his first season, he scored a league-record 53 points in one game.

In 1980, Bruton moved to play for the Geelong Supercats in a different league. He stayed with them when they joined the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL). He helped them win the SEABL championship in 1981.

Geelong Supercats and Coaching

The Supercats joined the NBL in 1982. After three games, their head coach left, and Bruton was chosen to take over. The team lost their first game with Bruton as coach, but then they won 13 games in a row to reach the finals. He was named the 1982 NBL Coach of the Year.

While with the Supercats, Bruton was also chosen for the All-NBL First Team in 1983 and 1984. As Geelong's coach, Bruton led the team to the 1982 NBL Grand Final. They lost 80–74 to the West Adelaide Bearcats. This was Geelong's only NBL Grand Final appearance in their 15 seasons in the league.

Return to Brisbane and Championship Win

Bruton went back to the Bullets in 1985. He helped them win their first NBL championship by beating the Adelaide 36ers 121–95. In 1986, Bruton, who had become an Australian citizen, played for the Australian Boomers at the 1986 FIBA World Championship in Spain.

After returning from Spain, Bruton helped the Bullets reach their fourth Grand Final in a row. They faced the Adelaide 36ers again. For 1986, the NBL Grand Final was a best-of-three series. Adelaide won Game 1 in front of a huge crowd. Brisbane, led by Bruton with 38 points, surprised the 36ers with a 104–83 win in Game 2. This forced a third and deciding game. Adelaide won Game 3, taking their first NBL title. Bruton was the top scorer in the series, averaging 30.0 points per game.

Perth Wildcats and Another Championship

After the 1986 Grand Final, Bruton left the Bullets. He immediately became the playing coach for the Perth Wildcats. He started building a team that could win a championship. He brought in two players who became stars for the Wildcats: James Crawford and Kendal "Tiny" Pinder. As playing coach, Bruton aimed to beat the reigning NBL champions, the Adelaide 36ers. His plan worked when the Wildcats defeated Adelaide 2–1 in the semi-finals. However, Perth lost to Bruton's old team, Brisbane, 2–0 in the Grand Final series.

Bruton played three seasons in Perth. For two of those, he was both a player and a coach. In 1990, he became the head coach for the Wildcats. Despite a challenging start to the season, Bruton guided the Wildcats to their first NBL championship. They defeated the Brisbane Bullets 2–1 in the Grand Final series. Bruton was replaced as coach the following year.

Cal did not play in the 1991 NBL season. He returned in 1992 with the Hobart Devils. He later became the head coach for the Devils in their final season in 1996.

Coaching Career

In the 1999–2000 NBL season, Bruton returned to coaching for the Canberra Cannons. The Cannons were having financial problems at the time. In the 2002–03 season, the Cannons' financial issues became very serious, and it was announced their team would be sold. Because of this, Bruton left the Cannons and did not follow the club when it moved to Newcastle to become the Hunter Pirates.

During the 2006–07 NBL season, Bruton was hired as the temporary head coach for the West Sydney Razorbacks. He took over in the middle of the season. He was not kept on as coach for the next season.

Today, Bruton also helps coach junior basketball teams in his free time. He serves as a role model for young players.

In 2021, Bruton received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM). This award was given to him for his "service to basketball as a player and coach."

Honour Roll

NBL Career Stats

Personal Life

Cal Bruton was originally from America. He became a naturalised Australian citizen in 1983. He gave up his American citizenship to play for the Australia men's national basketball team in 1986.

Bruton has a son named C. J., who also played in the NBL.