Ethan Rusbatch

Ethan Rusbatch
No. 12 – Hawke's Bay Hawks
Position Shooting guard / Small forward
League NBL
Personal information
Born (1992-05-24) 24 May 1992
Christchurch, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Listed height 196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Career information
High school Cashmere
(Christchurch, New Zealand)
College Lincoln Trail CC (2010–2011)
Playing career 2012–present
Career history
2012 Southland Sharks
2013 Taranaki Mountainairs
2014–2017 Canterbury Rams
2016–2017 New Zealand Breakers
2018–present Hawke's Bay Hawks
Medals
Representing  New Zealand
Men's Basketball
Commonwealth Games
2018 Gold Coast Team competition

Ethan Rusbatch (born 24 May 1992) is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Hawke's Bay Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL). A former captain of the New Zealand under 18 team, Rusbatch began his NBL career in 2012 with the Southland Sharks after spending one season in the United States playing college basketball for Lincoln Trail College. As a junior, he represented Canterbury in all age groups, winning national titles in 2009 and 2011. He spent four seasons playing for the Canterbury Rams between 2014 and 2017, before joining the Hawke's Bay Hawks in 2018.

Early life

Born in the Canterbury city of Christchurch,[1] Rusbatch grew up in Twizel. He began playing basketball at a young age thanks to family influence from his mother, aunt and uncle. His uncle is Kenny Perkins, an American who played in the New Zealand NBL for the Canterbury Rams during the 1980s. Rusbatch grew up idolising his uncle and dreamed of playing for the Rams himself.[2]

Rusbatch did not receive many opportunities with basketball in Twizel. It wasn't until he and his family moved to Wellington that he received the opportunity to really experience his passion for basketball. He began attending regular camps and after school basketball programs alongside players such as Brook Ruscoe and Dion Prewster. He lived in Wellington for three years before moving to Christchurch as a 10-year-old. There, Rusbatch trialled for the Canterbury under 12 team and was successful. He went on to represent Canterbury in all age groups for there on[2] and played junior basketball for the Checkers Basketball Club.

Junior and representative career

Rusbatch attended Cashmere High School and played for the school's basketball team every year he was there (2005–2009).[3] 2008 marked a big year for Rusbatch as he played for the Canterbury under 17 team and made the Under 17 National Championships all-tournament team,[4] and represented New Zealand for the first time with the under 17 squad.[3]

In January 2009, Rusbatch captained the New Zealand under 18 team to a bronze medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.[5] He went on to captain the same squad in Spain at the Vilagarcía Basket Cup in April 2009,[6] a tournament they finished last in.[7] Later that year, he helped the Canterbury under 19 team win the Under 19 National Championships with a 79–69 win over Waitakere City in the final, a game Rusbatch top scored in with 20 points.[8] He subsequently earned all-tournament team honours.[9] He again earned all-tournament team honours for his efforts during the 2010 Under 19 National Championships.[10]

In July 2010, Rusbatch competed in the five-day Conference Basketball League tournament in Porirua for the Junior Tall Blacks.[11] A few months later, he ventured to the United States to attend Lincoln Trail College. There he played for the school's basketball team, the Statesmen,[12] and during the 2010–11 season, he averaged 3.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 28 games.[13] Upon his return to New Zealand, Rusbatch joined the Canterbury under 21 team for the 2011 Under 21 National Championships. He helped Canterbury win the tournament with a 75–65 win over Porirua in the final, a game Rusbatch scored 17 points in.[14] He subsequently earned all-tournament team honours and was named tournament MVP.[15]

Professional career

Southland Sharks (2012)

With high school over and his college stint lasting just one year, NBL teams began pestering Rusbatch to play for them. He eventually gave in, and in late April 2012, he joined the Southland Sharks for the last month of the 2012 New Zealand NBL season.[2] He appeared in four games for the Sharks, with his best performance coming on May 10 against the Auckland Pirates. In 22 minutes of action, he recorded 14 points and six rebounds in a 107–89 loss.[16] Over four games, he averaged 5.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.[17] The Sharks finished the season in eighth spot on the ladder, missing the playoffs with a 5–11 record. Rusbatch went on to earn all-tournament team honours for the fifth straight year at the 2012 Under 21 National Championships.[18]

Taranaki Mountainairs (2013)

In February 2013, Rusbatch signed with the Taranaki Mountainairs for the 2013 New Zealand NBL season.[19] In his first full season, he was a solid role player for Taranaki. He scored in double figures five times, including a 24-point, 12-rebound performance in the team's season finale on July 6 against the Otago Nuggets, a game the Mountainairs lost 145–137 in quadruple overtime.[20] The Mountainairs missed the playoffs in 2013 with a 5–11 record and a sixth-place finish. Rusbatch appeared in all 16 games for Taranki, averaging 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.[17]

Canterbury Rams (2014–2017)

2014 season

Following the conclusion of Taranaki's season, Rusbatch moved back to Christchurch where he started hearing rumours about a Canterbury Rams team returning to the NBL in 2014 for the first time since 2008.[2] Those rumours turned into a reality, and on 30 November 2013, Rusbatch was one of three initial homegrown products to sign with the Rams for the 2014 season (the other two being Jeremy Kench and Marty Davidson).[21] He turned in a solid season for the Rams playing as a reliable role player. On June 20, he scored a season-high 20 points in a 108–83 loss to the Southland Sharks.[22] Eight days later, in the Rams' season finale, Rusbatch recorded his second career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in a 90–87 win over the Sharks.[23] The Rams missed the playoffs in 2014 with a 6–12 record and a ninth-place finish. He appeared in all 18 games for Canterbury, averaging 9.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.[17]

In August 2014, Rusbatch played for Canterbury Metro at the 2014 Under 23 National Championships. He subsequently earned all-tournament team honours for a sixth time.[24]

2015 season

In December 2014, Rusbatch re-signed with the Rams for the 2015 season. He was subsequently named co-captain of the team alongside Marques Whippy.[25] He had a breakout season for the Rams in 2015, which led to his coach Mark Dickel calling for him to receive a Tall Blacks trial. Granted more of an offensive license by Dickel in 2015, Rusbatch flourished and was dubbed the most improved New Zealand player in the league, along with Manawatu's Brook Ruscoe. Rusbatch twice scored 27 points during the season, a career high.[26] The Rams missed the playoffs in 2015 with a 9–9 record and a fifth-place finish. He appeared in all 18 games for the Rams, averaging 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.[17]

Following the 2015 season, Rusbatch gave up his furniture moving job to focus on basketball full-time.[27] Over the off-season, he worked out every day with coach Mark Dickel and put up 1,000 shots per day.[28]

2016 season

In January 2016, Rusbatch spent 10 days with Australian National Basketball League club, the Adelaide 36ers, working out with the team and picking the brain of coach Joey Wright. Rusbatch returned to the Rams for the 2016 season with the goal being to attain an Australian NBL contract.[28] He became a reliable go-to guy in 2016 playing alongside Marcel Jones. On March 28, he scored a career-high 30 points on 12-of-24 shooting in a 99–96 overtime win over the Hawke's Bay Hawks.[29] The Rams finished the regular season in first place with a 13–5 record. It marked the Rams' first playoff appearance since 2002 and their first regular season title since 1993. In their semi-final match-up with the fourth-seeded Super City Rangers, the Rams were outclassed and heavily defeated 104–85. Rusbatch had a season-worst performance in his first NBL playoff game, finishing with just four points on 1-of-16 shooting.[30][31] He appeared in all 19 games for the Rams, averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.[17]

On 7 August 2016, Rusbatch played for a Mainland Eagles invitational team against the touring Washington Huskies college basketball team at Cowels Stadium in Christchurch. Playing against former Rams teammate Sam Timmins, Rusbatch scored a team-high 23 points in a 92–79 loss to the Huskies.[32]

2017 season

On 17 October 2016, Rusbatch re-signed with the Rams for the 2017 season.[33] On 17 March 2017, he was ruled out of the Rams' first two games of the season with a sprained ankle.[34] He made his season debut six days later, scoring 16 points in a 94–85 loss to the Wellington Saints.[35] On March 31, he scored a team-high 19 points in an 88–86 win over the Super City Rangers.[36] On April 25, he scored a season-high 20 points in a 106–89 win over the Hawke's Bay Hawks.[37] The Rams battled for consistency all season and never really found their rhythm. They finished the regular season in fourth place with a 10–8 record,[38] and lost in the semi-finals to the Wellington Saints. In 17 games for the Rams, he averaged 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game.[39]

On 31 October 2017, Rusbatch parted ways with the Rams.[40]

New Zealand Breakers (2016–2017)

On 24 August 2016, Rusbatch signed with the New Zealand Breakers as a development player for the 2016–17 NBL season.[41][42] On 17 September 2016, Rusbatch made his debut in a Breakers uniform in the team's final pre-season clash with the Brisbane Bullets. He finished with 12 points on three three-pointers, as the Breakers were defeated 86–77.[43] Rusbatch appeared in three games for the Breakers during the regular season. He was too old for a development spot in 2017–18 and wasn't re-signed by the Breakers.[40]

Hawke's Bay Hawks (2018–present)

On 18 January 2018, Rusbatch signed with the Hawke's Bay Hawks for the 2018 New Zealand NBL season.[44][45] On 1 June 2018, he had a season-best game with 22 points and nine assists in a 91–76 win over the Rams in Christchurch.[46] He subsequently earned Player of the Week honours for Round 6.[47]

National team career

In June 2015, Rusbatch was named in a 22-man Tall Blacks squad to trial and be considered for selection for the Oceania Series against Australia in August.[48][49] He attended a camp in Auckland in early July, but was cut prior to the team's European tour.[50]

On 18 May 2016, Rusbatch was one of four debutants named in New Zealand's 14-man squad to travel to Asia in June.[51] He was later cut from the squad on June 17 prior to the team's European tour,[52] but did join the group as injury cover for Corey Webster in July. Webster pulled up lame with a calf strain during New Zealand's tour of Europe, leading to Rusbatch flying to Manila on stand-by ahead of the Olympic qualifying tournament. However, Webster recovered in time for the six-nation event.[53]

On 16 May 2017, Rusbatch was named in an inexperienced New Zealand Select team ahead of their invitational tournament in China in June.[54] Two months later, he was invited to a six-day Tall Blacks camp in Auckland, ahead of a final 12-man roster being named to travel to the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon, via preparation matches in China.[55] After a strong performance at the Asia Cup, Rusbatch was in the running to play for the Tall Blacks in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in November 2017 and February 2018.[56][57] On 16 March 2018, he was named in the Tall Blacks squad for the Commonwealth Games.[58] He helped the Tall Blacks win bronze at the Commonwealth Games.[59] In August 2018, he re-joined the Tall Blacks for two more qualifiers in September.[60]

Personal

Rusbatch developed his love of basketball through his uncle, former Ram and NBL stalwart Kenny Perkins. His cousin is NBA centre Kendrick Perkins, Kenny's son, who won a championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics.[27] Rusbatch's brother, Bede Marsters, played alongside him at the Rams in 2016.[27] Rusbatch's father is a Cook Islander; Rusbatch sports tribal tattoos that stem to his Pacific Island roots.[45]

References

  1. ↑ van Royen, Robert (12 April 2017). "Plenty on the line for Canterbury Rams guard Ethan Rusbatch in NBL". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ethan Rusbatch - Canterbury Rams Basketballer". maifm.com. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Cashmere High School Boys Basketball". SchoolGround.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "2008 Results Annual" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 8. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "U18 and U21 National teams named". FoxSportsPulse.com. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Baskeball [sic]: NZ overwhelmed in under-18 opener". ODT.co.nz. 10 April 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Garrido, Antonio (13 April 2009). "La selección de Francia gana la Vilagarcía Basket Cup". lavozdegalicia.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "BWC Under 19 Boys Representative Team 2009". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "2009 Results Annual" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 7. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "2010 Results Annual". SportingPulse.com. p. 10. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "2010 Conference Basketball League" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 6. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  12. ↑ Brown, Josh (18 February 2011). "Statesmen edge John A. Logan, 59-55". RobDailyNews.com. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "2010–11 NJCAA Stats – Ethan Rusbatch". NJCAA.org. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "BBNZ Community Newsletter May 2011". SportingPulse.com. p. 5. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "2011 Results Annual". SportingPulse.com. p. 8. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  16. ↑ Egan, Brendon (10 May 2012). "Auckland Pirates too sharp for Southland Sharks". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "Player statistics for Ethan Rusbatch". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  18. ↑ "2012 Results Annual". Basketball.org.nz. p. 8. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  19. ↑ Hills, Murray (23 February 2013). "Two more sign for Mountain Airs". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  20. ↑ Smart, Sharyn (6 July 2013). "Quadruple Overtime!". NZhoops.co.nz. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  21. ↑ Egan, Brendon (30 November 2013). "Harrison targets defence as key for new Rams". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  22. ↑ Chalmers, Steve (24 June 2014). "NZNBL 2014 Round 12: Dickel Triple Doubles while Final Four are set". PickAndRoll.com.au. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  23. ↑ Chalmers, Steve (1 July 2014). "NZNBL 2014 Round 13: Sharks lose momentum heading into Final Four". PickAndRoll.com.au. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  24. ↑ "2014 Results Annual". Basketball.org.nz. p. 8. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  25. ↑ Egan, Brendon (5 December 2014). "Canterbury Rams re-sign Kench and Rusbatch for NBL". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  26. ↑ Egan, Brendon (19 June 2015). "Canterbury Rams swingman Ethan Rusbatch deserves Tall Blacks basketball trial". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  27. 1 2 3 Egan, Brendon (18 May 2016). "Furniture mover to Tall Blacks for Canterbury's Ethan Rusbatch". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  28. 1 2 Egan, Brendon (9 March 2016). "Canterbury Ram Ethan Rusbatch dreams of breaking into the Australian NBL". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  29. ↑ Knowler, Richard (28 March 2016). "Ethan Rusbatch sizzles in Rams' overtime victory". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  30. ↑ Egan, Brendon (3 June 2016). "Canterbury Rams coach rules out semi-final nerves after NBL exit". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  31. ↑ "Rams vs Rangers". FIBALiveStats.com. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  32. ↑ van Royen, Robert (7 August 2016). "Washington Huskies centre Sam Timmins impresses in return to Christchurch". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  33. ↑ van Royen, Robert (17 October 2016). "Canterbury Rams lock in core of squad for next year's National Basketball League". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  34. ↑ van Royen, Robert (17 March 2017). "Canterbury co-captain Ethan Rusbatch ruled out of season-opening road trip". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  35. ↑ van Royen, Robert (23 March 2017). "Wellington Saints dispatch Rams in Christchurch to improve to 2-0". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  36. ↑ Egan, Brendon (31 March 2017). "Canterbury Rams stave off late Super City Rangers fightback to prevail in NBL". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  37. ↑ "Basketball: Wellington Saints move to 10-0 in NBL". NZHerald.co.nz. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  38. ↑ Egan, Brendon (15 June 2017). "Canterbury Rams heavy underdogs for NBL semi-final against unbeaten Saints". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  39. ↑ "Player statistics for Ethan Rusbatch". SportsTG.com. 31 October 2017.
  40. 1 2 Egan, Brendon (31 October 2017). "Canterbury Rams co-captain Ethan Rusbatch not returning in 2018". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  41. ↑ "DEVELOPMENT SQUAD CONFIRMED". NZBreakers.co.nz. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  42. ↑ "Ethan Rusbatch, Derone Raukawa handed Breakers 'D-Unit' chance". Stuff.co.nz. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  43. ↑ Hinton, Marc (18 September 2016). "Mounting injury toll main concern for Breakers after series sweep by Bullets". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  44. ↑ NZhoops (18 January 2018). "Ethan Rusbatch will be joining the Bay..." Twitter. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  45. 1 2 Singh, Anendra (19 January 2018). "Basketball: Ethan Rusbatch switches allegiances to Hawks in the NBL". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  46. ↑ "Sharks move up, Hawks close in on Rams in National Basketball League". Stuff.co.nz. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  47. ↑ "2018 National Basketball League Media Guide Round Seven" (PDF). nznbl.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  48. ↑ "Rusbatch on Tall Blacks' radar". FIBA.com. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  49. ↑ "Basketball: Tall Blacks name extended squad for Australia series". NZHerald.co.nz. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  50. ↑ "Henare announces touring Tall Blacks squad". FIBA.com. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  51. ↑ Long, David; Egan, Brendon (18 May 2016). "Paul Henare looks local as Tall Blacks prepare for Olympic qualifying". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  52. ↑ "Derone Raukawa continues rapid rise as Tall Blacks name squad for Olympic qualifiers". Stuff.co.nz. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  53. ↑ "Corey Webster fit for Tall Blacks' Rio bid". NewsHub.co.nz. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  54. ↑ "Inexperienced NZ Select basketball team selected for China". Stuff.co.nz. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  55. ↑ "PLAYERS INVITED TO TALL BLACKS CAMP AHEAD OF ASIA CUP". Basketball.org.nz. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  56. ↑ "HENARE NAMES EXTENDED TALL BLACKS ROSTER AHEAD OF OPENING WORLD CUP GAME". Basketball.org.nz. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  57. ↑ "HENARE NAMES ROSTER FOR VITAL GAMES IN CHINA AND KOREA". Basketball.org.nz. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  58. ↑ Anderson, Niall (16 March 2018). "Basketball: Tall Blacks name Commonwealth Games squad". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  59. ↑ "Tall Blacks take Commonwealth Games bronze with win over Scotland". Stuff.co.nz. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  60. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (29 August 2018). "Corey Webster to miss Tall Blacks' World Cup qualifiers as he settles back into NZ". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
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