 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1966-10-02)October 2, 1966 (age 59) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Nationality | American / Australian |
| Listed height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Listed weight | 77 kg (170 lb) |
| Career information | |
| High school | University School (Hunting Valley, Ohio) |
| College | Davidson (1984–1988) |
| NBA draft | 1988:undrafted |
| Playing career | 1990–2006, 2014 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Career history | |
Playing | |
| 1990–1991 | Brisbane Bullets |
| 1992–1993 | Birmingham Bullets |
| 1994 | Newcastle Falcons |
| 1995–1998 | Townsville Suns |
| 1996–1997 | Ginebra San Miguel |
| 1998–2003 | West Sydney Razorbacks |
| 2003–2006 | Brisbane Bullets |
| 2014 | Gladstone Port City Power |
Coaching | |
| 2016 | Logan Thunder |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Derek Alan Rucker (born October 2, 1966) is an American-Australian former professionalbasketball player who starred in the AustralianNational Basketball League for 15 seasons.
Prior to the commencement of his professional career, Rucker attended and graduated from the exclusiveUniversity School inHunting Valley, Ohio. He accepted a basketball scholarship to attendDavidson 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 first team All-Southern Conference three years in a row and the Southern Conference Tournament MVP, Rucker was also a two-timeAcademic All-American. Davidson College retired Rucker's #11 uniform and inducted Rucker into the Davidson Hall of Fame.[1]
Rucker was one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the history of theNBL and won the league's coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with theBrisbane Bullets in 1990. Rucker began his career with Brisbane and played for theNewcastle Falcons,Townsville Suns andWest 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 also finished in the top five in MVP voting four times in a six-year span. Rucker appeared in two championship series and was a two-time All-Star Game MVP. Rucker also played professionally inEngland and thePhilippines.
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 ft 0 in) and 80 kg (180 lb). 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 thrust him into celebrity status in the new millennium.
Rucker is the son of former NFL standoutReggie Rucker and Carole Gooch, and has two younger brothers. He and his former partner, Kim Skelton, have two children.[2]
In 2016, he was charged with fraud for stealing $20,000 from the Gladstone Basketball Association.[3]
Rucker worked for numerous media entities in Australia during and after his playing career includingFox Sports,Channel 9,Radio 2UE Sydney,B105FM Brisbane and Brisbane'sCourier Mail. He co-hosted the national NBL weekly recap show in withStephanie Brantz on Australia'sChannel 9 network. After retiring, Rucker became theSydney Kings' Executive Director of Corporate Basketball Services.[4] He also appeared in the feature filmLiving Color.
Rucker later ran a high-end sports tour in the United States called D-Ruck's Dream USA Sports Getaway.[5] The first tour was completed in September 2013.
On May 23, 2014, Rucker joined theGladstone Port City Power of theQueensland 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.[6] In2015, he was appointed the Gladstone Port City Power chairman and head coach of the men's team.[7] In November 2015, he was appointed head coach of theLogan Thunder for the2016 QBL season.[8]