He is one of the most under-the-radar import signings of the off-season and a serious dark horse for Most Valuable Player in 2026-27.
New Brisbane Bullets signing Arnas Velička has landed in Australia, bringing with him a wealth of European experience, a Lithuanian MVP award and a hunger to help his new team succeed. By season’s end, he could also establish himself as the league’s best passer.
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The 26-year-old Velička spoke exclusively to Fox Sports Australia, detailing how he landed with the Bullets, his expectations for the season and his run-ins with familiar NBL alumni during his time overseas.
The 6’5 guard is ready to show Australia why he should be in the same conversation as the likes of Cole Anthony, Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton among the league’s top guards.
Growing up in Kaunas, Lithuania, Velička has traded snowy winters for the Queensland summer, marking the first time he has ventured outside Europe during his professional career.
But before making the move to Australia, Velička’s journey took him across Europe, including a stint with German club Löwen Braunschweig in 2021 that helped set the path for what was to come.
“Yeah, it was. I remember that season, really, really good memories from there,” he said.
“The coach was an American coach, Peter Strobl. So he recruited me to come there and I was still young, like 20 years old, and he gave me a lot of freedom in offence.
“It was probably the first time when I really felt the game that I played in youth level translated to the men level. It was really good memories.
“Because I came there in the middle of the season, we went on an eight-game winning streak. So yeah, great memories. It was a good team. A lot of players went to a higher level.
“I ended up coming back to the team four years later, so great memories from there.”
During a journey across Europe that would see him play in Germany, Italy and Lithuania, Velička had his fair share of run-ins with familiar NBL faces, including Melbourne United big man Sam Waardenburg and Phoenix head coach Josh King, who previously coached Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany.
But when asked whether that familiarity with NBL personnel made the decision to come to Australia any easier, Velička pointed instead to the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and challenge himself.
“No, I think it was more like going out of my comfort zone because I’ve been many places around Europe, but, you know, I never played outside of Europe, so it was something new, something interesting that I wanted to try myself and make a new challenge and see how it is out here,” he said.
“The main reason was the coach, Will Weaver who had a great pitch and really believed in me and wanted me to come in.
“He thought that would be a great fit here. So, yeah, I believe in his vision and, you know, so far it’s great out here.”
For any import, adjusting to life in Australia can present challenges. For Velička, it hasn’t just been the change in climate, with one of his biggest adjustments coming behind the wheel on Queensland roads.
“The biggest adjustment probably was the driving and driving the other side of the road. Everything is opposite. So, yeah, it challenges your brain. So I think I’m getting a grip of it.
“At the beginning I was accidentally going to opposite lanes, so it was a little bit stressful, but right now I’m getting a hand of it,” he said.
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With his arrival comes an impressive pass-first resumé, having led both Lithuania’s LKL and the EuroCup in assists last season.
That makes his potential pairing with big man Tyrell Harrison an enticing prospect for Bullets fans, and Velička has already been impressed by what he has seen from his new teammate.
“We played already a couple of times, so, you know, it’s very easy to play with him. I’m just passing to him, he’s dunking it, so I think you will see a lot of that.
“And he’s a great guy. I was surprised how mobile and agile he is, and around the rim, like, finishing stuff. I was impressed by him and I’m looking forward to passing many balls to him,” he said.
Velička enters the NBL without the same fanfare as some of the league’s other high-profile guards.
Cole Anthony and Skylar Mays are among the headline additions, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Kendric Davis and six-time MVP Bryce Cotton are already established stars.
Velička understands why his name hasn’t yet been thrown into those conversations. But by season’s end, there is every chance the Lithuanian could find himself in the mix across several award categories.
“I mean, I understand it, probably nobody really knows me here, so I like it like that. I like that I’m flying under the radar, maybe, you know, couple of rounds and we will see what happens.
“But, you know, like my goals last season before I went to the Lithuania League, I said to the media in Lithuania ‘Every league I go, I’ll lead the league in assists,’ you know. So I did that in Europe and Lithuania League, so, you know, that’s what kind of my talent is.
“So I think might be that, and my main goal is the team goal, which is to get as much wins as possible and get the Bullets back on winning track,” he said.
Velička is one of three new imports on Brisbane’s roster, joining Nate Hinton and Jaylin Williams as part of a new-look Bullets squad.
The Lithuanian guard believes the versatility and athleticism of the pair will complement the style Brisbane wants to play under Weaver.
“I think both are versatile, can play in multiple positions and both have a high motor. So I think it’s going to fit our game really well because it’s going to push the pace, play fast tempo.
“They are both athletic and I think going to be great. They’re going to help on defence and in offence, it’s going to give many different looks. So I’m excited about the team overall and, you know, I’m looking forward to start playing games,” he said.
One of Velička’s more memorable encounters during last season’s EuroCup campaign with Neptūnas Klaipėda came against Australian Boomer and South East Melbourne Phoenix star Mitch Creek, who was playing for U-BT Cluj-Napoca.
Creek erupted for 40 points in a 118-97 win, with Velička getting a first-hand look not only at his scoring ability, but also how much the Australian likes to talk on the court.
“He is a great player. I’ve seen him in Canadian League, but he’s a funny guy. He was talking a lot during that game, so, yeah, he put on a show.
“We had a really bad game. Everybody was hitting threes and Mitch was going crazy. So, yeah, the day to forget for our side.
“But he’s a great player and you have many guys that you mentioned before: Bryce Hamilton, D’Shawn Schwartz, I know them. They are big threats offensively, both great shooters, scorers. So, yeah, we’ll need to handle them.”
Velička already had some understanding of the NBL before making the move, but once Brisbane’s interest became clear, he started doing his homework.
That included diving into YouTube and watching last season’s finals, where the battle between Cotton and Davis gave him a glimpse of the guard talent awaiting him in Australia.
“I have a good understanding about the league, how it goes. When I heard about that they’re [Brisbane] interested in me, I was watching a lot of YouTube videos, watching all these finals that happened last year.
“It was impressive, you know, dual with Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis. So, yeah, it was nice to see that and, you know, just getting familiar with the league watching YouTube content.”
Velička has played in front of some of Europe’s loudest and most passionate basketball crowds, meaning the hostile environments of the NBL are unlikely to faze him.
His experience with Rytas Vilnius, including the fierce rivalry with Žalgiris and the pressure of winning a championship, has helped shape the mentality he now brings to Brisbane.
“I don’t mind crowds at all. I played in difficult environments, like you said, with Rytas Vilnius. I won championship and this is Žalgiris verses Rytas, a big rivalry.
“After that season, when you’re playing in front of that crowd, playing that atmosphere, playing the finals, winning championship, it really gives you the feeling how it is there and gives you the experience that you can carry over.
“And when you experience that, then all the other stuff doesn’t really bother you. So, you know, after that season, I think I don’t have really much pressure,” he said.
“I just go to the games, you know, feeling like it’s a practice and just play my game, run my team, hopefully do everything to win. So for me, it’s just exciting to start something new, new league, new faces.”
Prior to signing with the Bullets, Velička was understandably attracting interest elsewhere after a career-best season.
Coming off an MVP campaign in Lithuania and a standout EuroCup season, his initial goal was to explore opportunities in the EuroLeague. While there was interest, nothing concrete eventuated.
Brisbane, meanwhile, made its intentions clear early, and Velička’s decision ultimately came down to going where he felt wanted most.
“I had a great season in EuroCup, was MVP of Lithuania League, so my goal at first was the EuroLeague options and, you know, there was some interest but nothing clear.
“So the Bullets came in early and really showed a lot of interest. You have to go where you’re wanted the most. So, you know, I felt that here and I took a step here.
“Here the season is shorter, so we’ll see what happens after that, how we’ll perform, how we will do as a team. Right now we’ll focus here and after that, you know, we’ll see what options are going to come up.
“My goal is right now to play and enjoy myself, have a great experience here, win a lot of games. So that’s the goal right now, and as the future will be, you know, we’ll see.”
Bullets and NBL fans will get their first look at Velička in Brisbane colours during the upcoming NBL Blitz in Bendigo, when the Bullets take on the Tasmania JackJumpers on 3 September at Red Energy Arena.