CJ Bruton
Affectionally known as CJ, Calvin Bruton Junior becomes thesecond Bruton to be inducted to the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame, joining his father in illustrious company.
The Bruton’s become the second father-son duo to be inducted to the Hall of Fame joining the legendary Lindsay and Andrew Gaze.
Born in the US but raised in Australia, Bruton returned to his birth country to play college basketball for Indian Hills Community College.
A potent scoring point guard with a high basketball IQ, Bruton debuted in the NBL as an 18-year-old with the Perth Wildcats in 1994 and would go on to play an incredible 516 games over the next two decades.
His developing game and output were recognised with the league’s Most Improved Player award in 1999. A competitor and a winner, he enjoyed the ultimate success six times winning championships with the New Zealand Breakers (3),
Sydney Kings (2) and Brisbane Bullets (1) and was crowned the Larry Sengstock Medallist for Grand Final MVP in the Breakers 2012 title.
Bruton earned All-NBL Team selection on five occasions.
During his time at the Kings, Bruton shared the captaincy with Jason Smith and in 2013 was named in the club’s 25th anniversary team. Making his debut in 2004, Bruton represented the Australian Boomers in 104 games highlighted by two
Olympic appearances in Athens and Beijing in addition to the 2006 FIBA World Cup in Japan.
Now on his coaching journey, Bruton has been at the helm of the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL and is currently leading the Beijing Ducks in China.
