Two NBL legends break down the first half of the season and give their picks for The Gazeys
- Derek Rucker is the special guest on episode 12 of ‘Cut to the Jase’
- Rucker won the 1990 NBL MVP and has his #11 jersey retired at Davidson
- He is now an NBL expert, media personality and commentator
He’s one of the greatest imports to come to Australia and now Derek Rucker joins fellow legend Jason Cadee on the latest episode of ‘Cut to the Jase’ to break down an action-packed first half of the NBL season.
The 1990 NBL MVP, who spent almost 15 years in the NBL with several clubs including the Brisbane Bullets, Newcastle Falcons and West Sydney Razorbacks, is now one of the faces of the league as a media personality and commentator.
Rucker, a former Davidson college basketball star whose No.11 jersey sits in the rafters alongside NBA icon Steph Curry, talks about everything from his journey in basketball, coming to Australia, his NBL career, an Aussie pipeline to his former school and why he loves commentating on the league.
The 1990 scoring champion and two-time Academic All-American also discusses the current state of the NBL with Cadee, including Bryce Cotton’s upcoming return to Perth to face the Red Army and what’s stood out to him from the first half of the season.
Derek Rucker West Sydney celebates after winning the game between West Sydney and Melbourne Tigers at the E.G. Whitlam Centre, Liverpool, Sydney. West Sydney defeated Melbourne, 121 to 107. Photo: Scott Barbour/ALLSPORT
CUT TO THE JASE MID-SEASON AWARDS
Jason Cadee (424 NBL games, former Australian Boomers guard, Host of Cut to the Jase)
MVP: Bryce Cotton
All-NBL First Team: Bryce Cotton, Nathan Sobey, Tyson Walker, JaVale McGee, Kendric Davis
All-NBL Second Team: Jack McVeigh, Zylan Cheatham, Bryce Hamilton, Milton Doyle, Jo Lual-Acuil
Coach of the Year: Dean Vickerman
Most Improved Player: Sam Mennenga
Best Defensive Player: John Brown III
Next Generation Award: Sam Mennenga
Sixth Man of the Year: Angus Glover
Derek Rucker (NBL legend, 1990 MVP, NBL commentator)
MVP: Bryce Cotton
All-NBL First Team: Kendric Davis, Bryce Cotton, Nathan Sobey, JaVale McGee, Jo Lual-Acuil
All-NBL Second Team: Jack McVeigh, Tyson Walker, Zylan Cheatham, Isaac Humphries, Jesse Edwards
Coach of the Year: Josh King
Most Improved Player: Sam Mennenga
Best Defensive Player: John Brown III
Next Generation Award: Sam Mennenga
Sixth Man of the Year: Angus Glover
Brayden Heslehurst (Editor of basketball.com.au, WNBL assistant coach)
MVP: Bryce Cotton
All-NBL First Team: Bryce Cotton, Nathan Sobey, Tyson Walker, JaVale McGee, Kendric Davis
All-NBL Second Team: Milton Doyle, Jesse Edwards, Jack McVeigh, John Brown III, Kendric Davis
Coach of the Year: Dean Vickerman
Most Improved Player: Sam Mennenga
Best Defensive Player: John Brown III
Next Generation Award: Malique Lewis
Sixth Man of the Year: Angus Glover
CUT TO THE JASE EPISODES
