Shaun Bruce
{{short description|Australian basketball player}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Shaun Bruce
| image =
| caption =
| position = Guard
| height_cm = 192
| weight_kg = 87
| league = NZNBL
| team = Wellington Saints
| number = 7
| nationality = Australian
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|1|13}}
| birth_place =
| high_school =
| career_start = 2010
| career_end =
| years1 = 2010–2013
| team1 = Ballarat Miners
| years2 = 2012–2016
| team2 = Cairns Taipans
| years3 = 2014–2015
| team3 = Cairns Marlins
| years4 = 2016–2017
| team4 = Mackay Meteors
| years5 = 2016–2018
| team5 = Brisbane Bullets
| years6 = 2018
| team6 = Wellington Saints
| years7 = 2018
| team7 = Westports Malaysia Dragons
| years8 = 2019
| team8 = Adelaide 36ers
| years9 = 2019
| team9 = Rockhampton Rockets
| years10 = 2019–present
| team10 = Sydney Kings
| years11 = 2021;
2023–2024
| team11 = Logan Thunder
| years12 = 2025–present
| team12 = Wellington Saints
| highlights =
- 2× NBL champion (2022, 2023)
- 2× All-NBL1 North Second Team (2023, 2024)
- QBL MVP (2017)
- 3× QBL All-League Team (2014, 2016, 2017)
- SEABL East Golden Hands Award (2011)
}}
Shaun Bruce (born 13 January 1991) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He is also contracted with the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL). He began his NBL career in 2012 and has played for the Cairns Taipans, Brisbane Bullets, Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings. He helped the Kings win back-to-back NBL championships in 2022 and 2023.
Early life
Bruce hails from Horsham, Victoria.{{cite web|url=http://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/player_profile/shaun-bruce/|title=Shaun Bruce|work=brisbanebullets.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611231416/http://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/player_profile/shaun-bruce/|archive-date=11 June 2017}} He grew up playing for the Horsham Hornets.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191472769&client=1-7930-99139-113860-12880305|title=Player statistics for Shaun Bruce – Big V|work=FoxSportsPulse.com|accessdate=29 April 2016}}{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Roy|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/966694/hornets-fell-the-giants/|title=Hornets fell the Giants|work=MailTimes.com.au|date=29 March 2009|accessdate=29 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507002737/http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/966694/hornets-fell-the-giants/|archive-date=7 May 2016}}
Basketball career
=NBL=
In January 2012, Bruce had a training stint with the Melbourne Tigers of the National Basketball League.{{cite web|last=McCullagh-Beasy|first=Justine|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/980564/shaun-bruce-trains-with-nbl-tigers/|title=Shaun Bruce trains with NBL Tigers|work=MailTimes.com.au|date=12 January 2012|accessdate=29 April 2016}}
Bruce joined the Cairns Taipans as a development player for the 2012–13 NBL season.{{cite web|last=Whelan|first=Melanie|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/209955/shaun-bruce-signs-with-nbl/|title=Shaun Bruce signs with NBL|work=TheCourier.com.au|date=14 August 2012|accessdate=29 April 2016}} He subsequently won the inaugural Aron Baynes Award for Most Outstanding Athlete.{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Sam|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/03/12/3713660.htm|title=Floor general Bruce eyes Orange Army promotion|work=ABC.net.au|date=12 March 2013|accessdate=29 April 2016}}
In August 2013, Bruce signed a full-time contract with the Taipans for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipans.com/article/id/1afd0jy2r3mpt11p7rjbclq2u5|title=Snakes Pluck Bruce from CQUni Taipans Academy|work=Taipans.com|date=5 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108211720/http://www.taipans.com/article/id/1afd0jy2r3mpt11p7rjbclq2u5|archive-date=8 January 2014|access-date=27 October 2022}}{{cite web|last=O'Connor|first=Tim|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1685592/shaun-bruce-signs-with-cairns-taipans/|title=Shaun Bruce signs with Cairns Taipans|work=TheCourier.com.au|date=6 August 2013|accessdate=29 April 2016}}{{cite web|last=MacGillivray|first=Colin|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/1686949/one-bruce-in-one-bruce-out/|title=One Bruce in, one Bruce out|work=MailTimes.com.au|date=7 August 2013|accessdate=29 April 2016}} He re-signed with the club for the 2014–15 season in April 2014.{{cite web|last=Serenc|first=Michael|url=http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/taipans-guard-shaun-bruce-resigns-with-the-cairns-basketball-team-for-next-season/story-fnjpuwrj-1226902045152|title=Taipans guard Shaun Bruce re-signs with the Cairns basketball team for next season|work=CairnsPost.com.au|date=30 April 2014|accessdate=30 April 2016}} On 31 December 2014, he recorded his first double-digit scoring game of his NBL career with 12 points against the Adelaide 36ers.{{cite web|last=Wenzel|first=Murray|url=http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/inform-bruce-a-taipans-beacon/news-story/82c53de1437fc0db8921cab02dbd967c|title=Shaun Bruce feeling confident to shoot away as good form continues for young Cairns Taipans guard|work=CairnsPost.com.au|date=2 January 2015|accessdate=30 April 2016}} He helped the Taipans reach the 2015 NBL grand final series.{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Roy|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/cairns-taipans-guard-shaun-bruce-fired-up-for-nbl-grand-final-series-20150305-13w9a4.html|title=Cairns Taipans guard Shaun Bruce fired up for NBL grand final series|work=SMH.com.au|date=6 March 2015|accessdate=30 April 2016}}
On 19 June 2015, Bruce re-signed with the Taipans for the 2015–16 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-team-news/taipans-retain-point-guard-shaun-bruce/|title=TAIPANS RETAIN POINT GUARD SHAUN BRUCE|work=NBL.com.au|date=19 June 2015|accessdate=30 April 2016}} He received more playing time in December 2015 due to injuries to teammates Markel Starks and Stephen Weigh.{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Michael|url=http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/inform-bruce-a-taipans-beacon/news-story/82c53de1437fc0db8921cab02dbd967c|title=In-form Bruce a Taipans beacon|work=CairnsPost.com.au|date=27 January 2016|accessdate=30 April 2016}} He had 17 points against the Sydney Kings of 2 January 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipans.com/fixtures/match-reports/snakes-fall-in-sydney/|title=SNAKES FALL IN SYDNEY|work=Taipans.com|date=2 January 2016|accessdate=30 April 2016}}
On 29 April 2016, Bruce signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/young-guns-join-brisbane-bullets/|title=YOUNG GUNS JOIN BRISBANE BULLETS|work=NBL.com.au|date=29 April 2016|accessdate=30 April 2016}}{{cite web|last=McKenzie|first=Daniel|url=https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/meteors-reach-for-the-stars-in-targeting-top-signi/3267264/|title=Meteors reach for the stars in targeting top signings|work=DailyMercury.com.au|date=16 November 2017|accessdate=28 December 2017|quote=...he's at the end of a two year deal with the Bullets.}} On 27 January 2017, he scored a season-high 13 points in an 80–77 loss to Melbourne United.{{cite web|url=http://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/bullets-positive-long-term-success/|title=BULLETS POSITIVE OF LONG TERM SUCCESS|work=BrisbaneBullets.com.au|date=27 January 2017|accessdate=26 February 2017}} He missed the start of the 2017–18 NBL season with the ankle injury.{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Samuel|url=http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/bruce-forced-out-of-double-date-with-cairns-taipans/news-story/0cf203b8766028841609547d757e5b15|title=Injury forces Bruce out of double date with Cairns Taipans|work=CairnsPost.com.au|date=31 August 2017|accessdate=28 October 2017|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/basketball/shaun-bruce-and-brisbane-bullets-to-soak-up-day-against-the-suns/news-story/93b4c22b5b1bd495683613e915d01215|title=Shaun Bruce and Brisbane Bullets to soak up day against the Suns|work=TheAustralian.com.au|date=14 October 2017|accessdate=28 October 2017}} On 28 October 2017, he scored a season-high 13 points in an 87–85 win over Melbourne United.{{cite web|last=Paterson|first=Joshua|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/bullets-shoot-down-melbourne-united-by-two-points-20171029-p4ywp5.html|title=Bullets shoot down Melbourne United by two points|work=SMH.com.au|date=29 October 2017|accessdate=21 April 2018}} In 27 games, he averaged 3.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/team/Australia/Brisbane-Bullets/1110?Page=3&Stats=2018|title=Brisbane Bullets Stats 2017–18|work=australiabasket.com|accessdate=18 June 2019}}
In November 2018, Bruce played one game as a stand-in import for the Westports Malaysia Dragons of the ASEAN Basketball League.{{cite web|last=Lim|first=Kelvin|url=http://aseansports.com/index.php/2018/11/22/dragons-bring-in-shaun-bruce-as-stand-in-for-sundiata-gaines/|title=Westports Malaysia Dragons Bring In Stand-In Import|work=aseansports.com|date=22 November 2018|accessdate=26 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/basketball/2018/11/23/basketball-singapore-slingers-beat-malaysian-dragons-at-asean-basketball-league/|title=Singapore Slingers beat Malaysian dragons at Asean Basketball League|work=thestar.com.au|date=23 November 2018|accessdate=26 April 2019}} In January 2019, he joined the Adelaide 36ers as a replacement for injured import Ramone Moore.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/adelaide-add-shaun-bruce-as-injury-replacement|title=Adelaide add Shaun Bruce as Injury Replacement|work=NBL.com.au|date=16 January 2019|accessdate=16 January 2019}} In seven games to finish the 2018–19 NBL season, he averaged 2.4 points per game.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/team/Adelaide-36ers/726/Stats?Page=3&Stats=2019|title=Adelaide 36ers Stats 2018–19|work=australiabasket.com|accessdate=13 October 2024}}
On 26 April 2019, Bruce signed with the Sydney Kings for the 2019–20 NBL season.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/sydney-kings-add-shaun-bruce|title=Sydney Kings add Shaun Bruce|work=NBL.com.au|date=26 April 2019|accessdate=26 April 2019}} He played a key role off the bench and averaged career highs while stepping up in the absence of the injured Kevin Lisch.{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bruce-shows-gratitude-with-career-best-form|title=Bruce Shows Gratitude with Career-Best Form|work=NBL.com.au|date=17 January 2020|accessdate=17 January 2020}} On 15 June 2020, Bruce re-signed with the Kings on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/shaun-bruce-re-signs-with-sydney|title=Shaun Bruce Re-Signs with Sydney|work=NBL.com.au|date=15 June 2020|accessdate=15 June 2020}} In February 2021, he played his 200th NBL game.{{cite web|last=McQuade|first=Matt|url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/200-up-for-shaun-bruce|title=200 Up for Shaun Bruce|work=SydneyKings.com|date=25 February 2021|accessdate=25 February 2021}}
In the 2021–22 NBL season, Bruce played his 250th NBL game{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/shaun-bruce-celebrates-major-milestone|title=Shaun Bruce celebrates major milestone|work=SydneyKings.com|date=6 May 2022|accessdate=6 May 2022}} and helped the Kings win the NBL championship.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-win-first-championship-in-17-years-with-record-crowd|title=Kings Win First Championship in 17 Years with Record Crowd|work=NBL.com.au|date=11 May 2022|access-date=11 May 2022}} On 23 May 2022, Bruce re-signed with the Kings on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/shaun-bruce-re-signs-in-sydney|title=Shaun Bruce Re-Signs in Sydney|work=NBL.com.au|date=23 May 2022|access-date=23 May 2022}} He helped the Kings win back-to-back championships in 2022–23.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-big-finish-to-secure-back-to-back-championships|title=Kings' Big Finish to Secure Back-to-Back Championships|website=NBL.com.au|date=15 March 2023|access-date=18 March 2023}} In December 2023, Bruce played his 300th NBL game.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/shaun-bruce-set-for-milestone-300th-nbl-game|title=Shaun Bruce set for milestone 300th NBL game|website=NBL.com.au|date=30 November 2023|access-date=30 November 2023}}
On 12 March 2024, Bruce re-signed with the Kings on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bruce-inks-deal-to-stay-with-kings|title=Bruce inks deal to stay with Kings|website=NBL.com.au|date=12 March 2024|access-date=12 March 2024}} On 13 October 2024, he recorded 21 points and four assists while making all six three-point attempts in a 99–76 win over the Cairns Taipans.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-respond-royally-against-taipans|title=Kings respond royally against Taipans|website=NBL.com.au|date=13 October 2024|access-date=13 October 2024}}
=Australian state leagues and NZNBL=
In 2010, Bruce joined the Ballarat Miners of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).{{cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/541691/young-talent-is-building-the-team/|title=Young talent is building the team|work=TheCourier.com.au|date=12 January 2010|accessdate=29 April 2016}}{{cite web|last=Brehaut|first=David|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/544743/basketball-miners-promote-duo-after-us-college-rule-change/|title=BASKETBALL: Miners promote duo after U.S. college rule change|work=TheCourier.com.au|date=23 April 2010|accessdate=29 April 2016}}{{cite web|last=Whelan|first=Melanie|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/547437/ballarat-miners-move-a-change-of-pace/|title=Ballarat Miners move a change of pace|work=TheCourier.com.au|date=20 July 2010|accessdate=29 April 2016}} In 2011, he won the SEABL East Golden Hands Award, which is calculated by adding a player's assists and steals and subtracting their turnovers.{{cite web|url=http://seabl.com.au/index.php?id=257&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=3016&cHash=963ba7139a|title=2011 STATISTICAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED|work=SEABL.com.au|date=26 August 2011|accessdate=29 April 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625072501/http://seabl.com.au/index.php?id=257&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=3016&cHash=963ba7139a|archivedate=25 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|last=McCullagh-Beasy|first=Justine|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/978496/big-week-for-aaron-and-shaun-bruce/|title=Big week for Aaron and Shaun Bruce|work=MailTimes.com.au|date=6 September 2011|accessdate=29 April 2016}} He played a third season with the Miners in 2012. With the Miners in 2013,{{cite web|url=http://www.seabl.com.au/index.php?id=257&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=6379&cHash=9082434385|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429155838/http://seabl.com.au/index.php?id=257&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=6379&cHash=9082434385|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 April 2013|title=SHAUN BRUCE TO PLAY ON FOR BALLARAT|work=SEABL.com.au|date=13 December 2012|accessdate=29 April 2016}} he missed eight games during the season with a torn quadriceps.{{cite web|last=Whelan|first=Melanie|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1655070/miners-shaun-bruce-returns-to-seabl-action/|title=Miners' Shaun Bruce returns to SEABL action|work=TheCourier.com.au|date=22 July 2013|accessdate=30 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1583380/basketball-bruce-injury-denies-chance-to-represent-australia/|title=BASKETBALL: Bruce injury denies chance to represent Australia|work=TheCourier.com.au|date=19 June 2013|accessdate=30 April 2016}}
Bruce played for the Cairns Marlins of the Queensland Basketball League (QBL) during the 2014 season, earning All-League Team honours.{{cite web|url=http://www.qabl.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=127&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2014&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=08&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1284&cHash=fa0126d5bb89be4fad0b19e5aaabce30 |title=2014 QBL Awards Winners |work=QABL.basketball.net.au |date=21 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316060736/http://www.qabl.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=127&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2014&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=08&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1284&cHash=fa0126d5bb89be4fad0b19e5aaabce30 |archivedate=16 March 2015}} He re-joined the Marlins for the 2015 QBL season.{{cite web|last=Wenzel|first=Murray|url=http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/marlins-call-in-taipans-guard-shaun-bruce-as-qbl-side-juggles-guard-options/news-story/723eace777789146b5bf888023ec4bfd|title=Marlins call in Taipans guard Shaun Bruce as QBL side juggles guard options|work=CairnsPost.com.au|date=14 July 2015|accessdate=30 April 2016}}
Bruce joined the Mackay Meteors for the 2016 QBL season.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipans.com/news/club-news/bruce-signs-with-qbls-mackay-meteors/|title=BRUCE SIGNS WITH QBL'S MACKAY METEORS|work=Taipans.com|date=22 March 2016|accessdate=30 April 2016}}{{cite web|last=Lees|first=Chris|url=http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/new-signing-mackay-meteors/2972677/|title=New signing for Mackay Meteors|work=DailyMercury.com.au|date=22 March 2016|accessdate=30 April 2016}} He was named QBL Player of the Week for round six.{{cite web|url=http://qbl.basketballqld.com.au/player-of-the-week-round-6/|title=Player of the Week – Round 6|work=qbl.basketballqld.com.au|date=9 June 2016|accessdate=9 June 2016}} He averaged 20.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 games.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=198078934&client=1-4144-69431-422096-24978404|title=Player statistics for Shaun Bruce – QBL|work=sportstg.com|accessdate=30 August 2016}} He was subsequently named to the QBL All-League Team.{{cite web|url=http://qbl.basketballqld.com.au/2016-qbl-end-of-season-awards/|title=2016 QBL End of Season Awards|work=qbl.basketballqld.com.au|date=26 August 2016|accessdate=30 August 2016}} He re-joined the Meteors for the 2017 QBL season.{{cite web|last=Peters|first=Madolyn|url=https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/former-taipan-returns-to-join-meteors-teammates/3147232/|title=Former Taipan returns to join Meteors teammates|work=DailyMercury.com.au|date=23 February 2017|accessdate=26 February 2017}} He recorded two triple-doubles{{cite web|url=http://www.fibalivestats.com/u/QUBL/599183/bs.html|title=Meteors vs Heat|work=FIBALiveStats.com|date=13 May 2017|accessdate=27 May 2017}}{{cite web|last=Peters|first=Madolyn|url=https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/townsville-coach-not-happy-with-some-calls-after-l/3177585/|title=Townsville coach not happy with some calls after loss to Meteors|work=DailyMercury.com.au|date=13 May 2017|accessdate=27 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/off-season-player-tracker-craigs-double-double-double/|title=OFF-SEASON PLAYER TRACKER: CRAIG'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE, DOUBLE & BRUCE'S TRIPLE-DOUBLE|work=BrisbaneBullets.com.au|date=15 May 2017|accessdate=27 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fibalivestats.com/u/QUBL/599157/bs.html|title=Meteors vs Spartans|work=FIBALiveStats.com|date=10 June 2017|accessdate=10 June 2017}} and two Player of the Week awards.{{cite web|url=http://qbl.basketballqld.com.au/player-of-the-week-round-7-2/|title=Player of the Week – Round 7|work=qbl.basketballqld.com.au|date=14 June 2017|accessdate=14 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://qbl.basketballqld.com.au/player-of-the-week-round-14-2/|title=Player of the Week – Round 14|work=qbl.basketballqld.com.au|date=2 August 2017|accessdate=2 August 2017}} He helped the Meteors reach the QBL grand final series, but he injured his ankle in game one and the team lost 2–1 to the Townsville Heat.{{cite web|last=Slatter|first=Trent|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/townsville-heat-beat-mackay-to-break-17year-qbl-title-drought/news-story/bf1e9cd837de7f9149ed00d846ed622e|title=Townsville Heat beat Mackay to break 17-year QBL title drought|work=TownsvilleBulletin.com.au|date=27 August 2017|accessdate=27 August 2017}} He was subsequently named the QBL MVP.{{cite web | url=http://qbl.basketballqld.com.au/2017-qbl-season-award-winners/ | title=2017 QBL Season Award Winners | work=qbl.basketballqld.com.au | date=29 August 2017 | accessdate=30 August 2017}}{{cite web | last=Santamaria | first=Liam | url=http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/qbl-mvp-ruled-entire-bullets-pre-season/ | title=BRUCE NAMED QBL MVP, OUT FOR ENTIRE NBL PRE-SEASON | work=NBL.com.au | date=30 August 2017 | accessdate=30 August 2017}} In 19 games, he averaged 22.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=203221012&client=1-4144-69431-451998-25991479|title=Player statistics for Shaun Bruce – QBL 2017|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=28 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830064734/http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=203221012&client=1-4144-69431-451998-25991479|archive-date=30 August 2017}}
Bruce played for the Wellington Saints in the 2018 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|author=NZhoops|url=https://twitter.com/NZ_hoops/status/987287407367045121|title=The Wellington Saints have signed...|work=Twitter|date=20 April 2018|accessdate=21 April 2018}} In 20 games, he averaged 10.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=204853416&client=11-8336-114272-486261-26179688|title=Player statistics for Shaun Bruce|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=16 January 2019}}
Bruce joined the Rockhampton Rockets for the 2019 QBL season.{{cite web|url=http://rockhampton.basketballqld.com.au/2019/04/02/qbl-pre-season-game-saturday-13th-april/|title=QBL Pre-Season Game – Saturday 13th April|work=rockhampton.basketballqld.com.au|date=2 April 2019|accessdate=26 April 2019}} In 20 games, he averaged 22.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=203221012&client=1-4144-69434-521382-26420344|title=Player statistics for Shaun Bruce – QBL 2019|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=14 September 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914130136/http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=203221012&client=1-4144-69434-521382-26420344|archive-date=14 September 2019}}
Bruce joined the Logan Thunder of the NBL1 North for the 2021 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.loganbasketball.com/news|title=NBL1 North McDonald's Logan Thunder Men Player Announcement: Shaun Bruce|work=loganbasketball.com|date=2 April 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507083816/https://www.loganbasketball.com/news|archive-date=7 May 2021}} He re-joined the Thunder for the 2023 NBL1 North season{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/LoganBasketballInc/posts/pfbid02DNPgA7ttZpZA2xiHkHaa4k6KtJfSV59oj9TJuvKYKo1qvXPMXQvV3dFNsvtHgetil|title=McDonald's Logan Thunder Men NBL1 North 2023 Player Announcement: Shaun Bruce|work=facebook.com/LoganBasketballInc|date=6 February 2023|access-date=14 February 2023}} and earned All-NBL1 North Second Team honours.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/basketballqld/posts/pfbid0GVYpDCDV2ZndbZDyWohw51UYnH2TMMM18UJ6h4c8WyYZJo2s6sN46wxMgE9ZXBSml|title=NBL1 North First & Second Team | Men's|work=facebook.com/basketballqld|date=17 July 2023|access-date=17 July 2023}} He re-joined the Thunder for the 2024 NBL1 North season{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/bruce-returns-to-thunder-for-2024-nbl1-season|title=Bruce returns to Thunder for 2024 NBL1 season|website=SydneyKings.com|date=18 March 2024|access-date=22 March 2024}} and earned NBL1 North Second Team for the second straight year.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/basketballqld/posts/pfbid0ftabbSACecxQKyPLNmNz8MEXrGtunJaipuF3jpncxbuc2SsZLtFD5F1jsVu9PrEol|title=NBL1 North Men's Second Team|work=facebook.com/basketballqld|date=15 July 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}}
Bruce joined the Wellington Saints on a short-term deal for the start of the 2025 New Zealand NBL season to cover for the absence of Shea Ili.{{cite news |title=Shaun Bruce Joins The Squad |url=https://www.saints.co.nz/news/article/shaun-bruce-joins-the-squad |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=www.saints.co.nz |date=11 March 2025}}{{cite news |title=Bruce returns to Saints on short-term deal |url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/bruce-returns-to-saints-on-short-term-deal |access-date=28 June 2025 |work=Sydney Kings {{!}} Official NBL Website |date=12 March 2025}} He returned to Australia in mid April{{cite news |title=We bid farewell to Shaun Bruce as he returns home to Australia to spend time with his family and loved ones. |url=https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonSaintsBasketball/posts/pfbid02jkde6aFKoSczDoBRRjJgQpURQovxyMadGAn1wcUm6uWs9ceKopxZdhSR5hPPiWvgl |access-date=17 May 2025 |work=facebook.com/WellingtonSaintsBasketball |date=14 April 2025}} but re-joined the Saints in late June to once again cover for Ili following his departure from the team.{{cite news |title=Shaun Bruce rejoins us in the Bay |url=https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonSaintsBasketball/posts/pfbid034dvZB4fbbadcgg6Lbyr6gbcdeexZB2Bu6qYrpBDgwtYFEY7pACiLg16ymT6tphWgl |access-date=28 June 2025 |work=facebook.com/WellingtonSaintsBasketball |date=28 June 2025}}{{cite news |title=Tonight's 12 against the Hawks |url=https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonSaintsBasketball/posts/pfbid02waPLDpmeNUAyzEtzNVUiosrZbG7EkqAQP9ezNCmsKKMoiXC8Z8PuWnrcUy5rMAUJl |access-date=28 June 2025 |work=facebook.com/WellingtonSaintsBasketball |date=28 June 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Frank |first1=Casey |title=Game Preview: Hawke's Bay Hawks v Wellington Saints |url=https://nznbl.basketball/hawvswel28625/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |work=NZNBL |date=28 June 2025}}
Personal life
Bruce is the son of Steve and Julie Bruce. His mother was a national-level swimmer, while two of his uncles, Des and Stephen Ryan,{{cite web | last=Harris | first=Amelia | url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/bruce-shooting-for-d-day-glory/news-story/136c95176664d9cb864e5bde1154b5f4?sv=85ff2ed3744e0eec54acdbece89efab2 | title=Melbourne's Aaron Bruce looking at NBA drafting | work=heraldsun.com.au | date=20 June 2008 | accessdate=30 April 2019}} played in the Australian Football League (AFL).{{cite web|url=http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/aaron_bruce_180931.html|title=Aaron Bruce Bio|work=BaylorBears.com|accessdate=30 April 2016}} He also has two older brothers, Aaron and Cameron. Aaron formerly played in the NBL, while Cameron has played many years in the lower level Victorian basketball divisions.{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Roy|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/963923/star-attraction/|title=Star attraction|work=MailTimes.com.au|date=19 May 2008|accessdate=30 April 2016}}
Bruce is close friends with AFL player Jake Lloyd.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://nbl.com.au/player/3694/30262/shaun-bruce NBL profile]
- [http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=195424520&client=0-189-88243-327335-19755588 NBL stats (2012–15)]
{{Sydney Kings current roster}}
{{Sydney Kings 2021–22 NBL champions}}
{{Sydney Kings 2022–23 NBL champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bruce, Shaun}}
Category:Adelaide 36ers players
Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in Malaysia
Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in New Zealand
Category:Australian men's basketball players
Category:Brisbane Bullets players
Category:Cairns Taipans players
Category:Wellington Saints players
Category:Kuala Lumpur Dragons players
Category:People from Horsham, Victoria
Category:Sportsmen from Victoria (state)