HIGH HOOPS FOR LATEST TITANS CONVERT

From basketball to footy for genetic freak Bula

THE Gold Coast Titans search to recruit the region’s top athletic talent has landed the signing of high-flying basketball convert Jahream Bula.

The 17-year-old Keebra Park student was spotted after just two games for the renowned nursery’s top rugby league side in 2019 after a season spent mostly in the B team.

Sports science testing has revealed the former basketballer is already one of the most explosive athletes at the Titans, leading all players in the broad jump, which most directly translates to acceleration and power.

The evidence to support that can be heard as well as seen because the 185cm outside back can slam down goalpost-rattling dunks on the crossbar with ease.

Transferring those aerial abilities onto the rugby league field will take time but the former B-teamer’s raw athletic potential excites coaches.

“I’ve never been able to posterise someone (the basketball equivalent of a speccy) on the field yet but hopefully I can get it soon,” Bula said.

“Basketball’s really helped my league, with the jumping and catching and footwork.

“Basketballers need good court vision and I find that helps me read defences too.”

Junior Titans System coach Jamie McCormack said Bula’s athletic base and size bode well for future success.

“Sometimes when we do junior recruitment and talent scouting it’s great to keep an eye out for genuine athletes,” he said.

“Whatever skills they may be deficient in, that’s our job to make sure they improve.

“Jahream is just an athlete – for an outside back coming from a basketball background, the ability to jump high in the air and catch balls above his head (is helpful).

“His athletic ability and power base to get high off the ground gets him into try-scoring situations.”

Bula will return to Keebra Park in 2020 for his final year of high school.