Derek Rucker

Derek Rucker
Position	Point guard
Nickname	D-Ruck
Height	184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	80 kg (176 lbs)
Nationality	United States /  Australia
Born	2 October 1966 (1966-10-02) (age 45) Washington, D.C.
Previous Clubs	Bansal El Salvador 1988 Brisbane Bullets (NBL) 1990-1991, 2003-2006 Birmingham Bullets England 2003 Newcastle Falcons (NBL) 1994 Townsville Suns (NBL) 1995-1998 Ginebra Philippines 1996 West Sydney Razorbacks (NBL) 1998-2003
Career Highlights	NBL MVP 1990 1st Team All-NBL 1990, 1997, 1998 2x NBL All-Star Game MVP 1990, 1997 2x NBL Grand Finalist 1990, 2002 NBL single game assist record (24) NBL single season assist record (10.6/game)

Derek Alan Rucker (born 2 October 1966 in Washington, D.C.) is a retired American professional basketball player who starred in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) for 15 years before retiring in 2006.

Playing career

Rucker was one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the history of the NBL and won the league's coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1990 with the Brisbane Bullets. Rucker began his career with Brisbane and played for the Newcastle Falcons, Townsville Suns and West Sydney Razorbacks before returning to the Bullets to finish his career. Rucker finished his NBL career in the top ten all-time in several statistical categories: scoring (7th), assists (4th), steals (4th) and three-point field goals made (5th). He finished in the top five in MVP voting four times in a six year span. Rucker appeared in two championship series (1990, 2002) and was a two-time All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1997). Rucker also played professionally in El Salvador, England, the Philippines and Europe.^[1]

Prior to the commencement of Rucker's professional career, Rucker attended and graduated from the exclusive University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio. He accepted a basketball scholarship to attend Davidson College and quickly established himself as a player and leader by starting from his freshman year onwards. Rucker led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament his sophomore season and finished at Davidson as the 3rd (now 4th) all-time leading scorer and all-time assists (now 5th) and steals leader (currently 1st). In addition to being 1st team All-Southern Conference three years in a row and the 1987 Southern Conference Tournament MVP, Rucker was also a two-time Academic All-American. Davidson College retired Rucker's #11 uniform in 1989 and inducted Rucker into the Davidson Hall of Fame in 1999.^[2]

Playing Style

Rucker played an aggressive, attacking offensive game using a combination of skilled moves with the ball. Rucker was a match-winning point guard who scored heavily while also amassing high assist totals throughout his career. An excellent athlete with superb quickness and excellent jumping ability, he constantly raided the keyway and rim despite his size of 184 cm (6'0") and 80 kg (176 lbs). Combined with outstanding long range shooting ability, Rucker was a very tough player to defend. It was Rucker's exciting style of play during the boom years of the NBL in Australia that thrusted him into celebrity status in the 90's and the new millenium.^[3][4]

Personal life

Rucker is the son of former NFL standout Reggie Rucker and Carole Gooch (née Hines) and has two younger brothers. During his time in Australia, Rucker was linked to several high profile Australian women including Tina Arena, Sami Lukis and Kristy Hinze. He and his former partner Kim Skelton have two children.^[5]

Media Work and Post Career

Rucker worked for numerous media entities in Australia during and after his playing career including Fox Sports, Channel 9, Radio 2UE Sydney, B105FM Brisbane, and Brisbane's Courier Mail. He co-hosted the national NBL weekly recap show in 2006 with Stephanie Brantz on Australia's Channel 9 network. In 2006 Rucker became Executive Director - Corporate Basketball Services of the Sydney Kings.^[6]

NBL career highlights

• 51 points in a game
• 24 assists in a game (1994) - NBL Record
• Averaged 30+ points per game three times
• 25 games of 40+ points
• 10.6 assists per game (1994) - NBL Record
• 2x Grand Finalist (1990, 2002)
• 3x 1st Team All-NBL
• 2x All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1997)

References

1. ^ http://www.nbl.com.au/statistics/leagueclub-records
2. ^ http://www.sidearmdmg.com/davidson/mbball
3. ^ http://nblonfire10.tripod.com/rucker.html
4. ^ http://sydneykings.corporatejames.com/zone/aboutus.asp?BL=kings&CMS=61
5. ^ http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/back-in-the-groove/story-e6freq7x-1111114071828
6. ^ http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/2006/december/rucker-joins-kings

External links

• NBL Club Records

Persondata
Name	Rucker, Derek
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	2 October 1966
Place of birth	Washington DC
Date of death
Place of death