Rucker: 'Chase NBA star'

After the release of interest from former NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas in plying his trade in the NBL, former league MVP Derek Rucker raised a simple question, “why wouldn’t he be?”

Thomas is currently in Australia and, while speaking to SEN Tasmania, stated he wants to continue his playing career, and there are “some really good basketball players out here”.

The guard was drafted with the 60^th overall pick in 2011 and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2012. He’s most famous for his stint at the Boston Celtics where he made back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2016 and 2017.

Rucker believes the success of other small guards in the NBL should help potentially tempt Thomas to the NBL.

“He’s probably watched some games and seen the success of smaller guards this season, and not only this season but historically,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

“He’s friends with Jerome Randle and Randle was a big-time success in this league. Pat Miller is getting it done, Jordon Crawford is getting it done, and we saw one of the MVP finalists in Parker Jackson-Cartwright, he’s dominating the competition.

“From Isaiah’s point of view at the age of 35, not having to play back-to-backs and a much lighter and less demanding schedule than the NBA, I think this is a competition where he can really come in and be a strong second guy on your team.

“We know what his skill level is like, obviously he loves the game, he’s got a great personality, and there are probably a couple of teams out there that should give him a really good look.”