Derek Alan Rucker is an American-Australian former professional basketball player who starred in the Australian National Basketball League for 15 seasons.
Education
Prior to the commencement of his professional career, Rucker attended and graduated from the exclusive University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio. Rucker led the Wildcats to the National Collegiate Athletic Association 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). 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).
Career
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. In addition to being first team All-Southern Conference three years in a row and the Southern Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player, Rucker was also a two-time Academic All-American. Davidson College retired Rucker"s #11 uniform and inducted Rucker into the Davidson Hall of Fame.
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.
He also finished in the top five in Most Valuable Player voting four times in a six-year span. Rucker appeared in two championship series and was a two-time All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. Rucker also played professionally in England and the Philippines.
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).
lieutenant was Rucker"s exciting style of play during the boom years of the NBL in Australia that thrust him into celebrity status in the new millennium. Rucker is the son of former NFL standout Reggie Rucker and Carole Gooch, and has two younger brothers. 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 with Stephanie Brantz on Australia"s Channel 9 network.
After retiring, Rucker became the Sydney Kings" Executive Director of Corporate Basketball Services. He also appeared in the feature film Living Color.
Rucker later ran a high-end sports tour in the United States called Doctorate-Ruck"s Dream United States of America Sports Getaway. The first tour was completed in September 2013.
On May 23, 2014, Rucker joined the Gladstone Portuguese City Power of the Queensland Basketball League for a one-game stint.
In just over 27 minutes of action, he recorded 5 points, 2 assists and 2 steals in a loss to the Mackay Meteors. In 2015, he was appointed the Gladstone Portuguese City Power chairman and head coach of the men"s team In November 2015, he was appointed head coach of the Logan Thunder for the 2016 QBL season.
51 points in a game
24 assists in a game – NBL Record
Averaged 30+ points per game three times
25 games of 40+ points
10.6 assists per game – NBL Record
2x Grand Finalist
3x All-NBL first team
2x All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
Views
Combined with outstanding long range shooting ability, Rucker was a very tough player to defend.