AFL player switches codes to play NBL1

The South West Metro Pirates have signed former AFL player Archie Smith for the 2023 NBL1 season. 

The former Brisbane Lions ruckman has switched back to basketball, Smith represented Queensland at the state level but was recruited by the Lions which changed his career trajectory. 

In 2018, the Lions and Brisbane Bullets had a friendly 3x3 game at the Bullets practice, former Bullet Tom Fullarton said of Smith's basketball skills.

"He's pretty athletic, he can get up and dunk it so I'm sure he'd go alright in basketball if he wanted to."

In response Smith said:

"This is awesome, it's definitely a lot better than being out in the 30, 40-degree heat at the moment. Just checking out what they do, they are a very talented club and something that I follow and following since they returned.

"It's a club that plays a part of my existence with my dad coming over from America to play for them."

Smith is the son of former NBA player and First-team All-NBL member in 1990 Andre Moore, who played for the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Brisbane Bullets, Hobart Devils and Cairns Taipans. 

Standing at an impressive 201cm (6’5 ft), Smith will undoubtedly be one of the most athletic players and one of the highest flyers in the 2023 NBL1 North season. 

Smith joins Kai Woodfall, Ben Volkman and NBL1 North champion, Coles Express NBL1 National Finals All-Star Five member and two-time NBL First-Team member Lamar Patterson for the Pirates’ men’s squad next season. 

Stay up to date with the NBL1 with the 2023 NBL1 Roster Tracker here.