Rucker praises 'PJC' passion

Derek Rucker has praised the impact of Parker Jackson-Cartwright on Wednesday night’s come-from-behind Play-In Qualifer win over Sydney, labelling the Breakers guard as “dominant” in the victory.

Jackson-Cartwright scored an NBL career-high 34 points, and was named Foot Locker Player of the Game for his efforts.

Following the win, he made a beeline to the commentary desk and was vocal towards Rucker.

It comes after the former MVP ranked the New Zealand star at number seven in his top 15 rankings. 

Rucker praised the diminutive guard’s ability to get to his spots offensively, and help inspire his side when the Kings looked like mounting a run.

“A lot of credit goes to the coaching staff, but in particular Parker Jackson-Cartwright who has continued to perform at a high level and he’s doing so against the odds,” Rucker said on the Coca-Cola Cooldown.

“Usually in games like this it is hard for smaller players to make a contribution, usually it’s your bigger wing players and your bigs that are determining factors in winning games, but PJC dominated this game from the outset, they let him play off his left hand and when he’s allowed to do that he is deadly, and especially when he's able to walk in and step into three-balls he is a really, really tough cover.

“He dominated and was able to lead this team and lift them at critical times throughout the games when the Kings started to press and that’s why they won the game.”

Jackson-Cartwright was fiery in his post-game interview on court with Jo Healy, where he simply stated “we just want to win”, and said the Breakers don’t care what people are saying.

Rucker said he’s happy to see that sort of passion from Jackson-Cartwright.. 

“I don’t mind a player coming at me like that, that’s what it’s about. You want to see that fire, I don’t want to see passive, timid players,” Rucker said.

“It could have been the top-15 rating at number seven, which I felt was a good position for him considering he hasn’t played a full season, but also it could have been the fact maybe he listened to NBL Now and he heard me say the Sydney Kings would win this game by 12-15 points, but Mody Maor was cool with us.

“Respect to Parker Jackson-Cartwright, he got it done. When you win, you grin, and you pout, you stick your chest out and you’re a boss.”

Mody Maor indicated post-game it was in fact Jackson-Cartwright's position in Rucker's top-15 that inspired the game-winning performance.

"Parker’s Parker, he doesn’t really change. He's the same all the time, but I am grateful for Derek and the way he ranked the players, I think Parker had something to prove," Maor said.

"I think we need to poke the bear again"

The Breakers will now travel to Wollongong to face the Illawarra Hawks in Monday night’s Play-In Game, where the winner will progress to a Playoff Series against Melbourne United.

The Play-In Game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo, and Sky Sport in New Zealand, from 7:30pm AEDT.