How Kings import says he’ll surprise NBL master coach
Jasper Bruce |
Mid-season signing Torrey Craig believes even the NBL’s master coach Brian Goorjian will be surprised how seamlessly he slots in at Sydney.
The ex-NBA player will come off the bench for a club debut against Tasmania on Thursday, when the Kings could also welcome back Xavier Cooks (ankle) and Matthew Dellavedova following his latest concussion.
Sydney’s third import Craig trained with his new side for the first time on Tuesday, having been signed following Bul Kuol’s season-ending knee injury.
“Basketball-wise, it was a no-brainer,” Kings coach Goorjian said.
“He’s a very good defender, very good connective piece, he can do multiple things and play multiple positions.”
Craig has played 538 NBA games since stints at the Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets early in his career and most recently suited up for the Boston Celtics on their 2025 championship defence.
Though his last NBA game was in May, Craig believes he will acclimatise “pretty quickly” as the third-placed Kings eye a deep run through the play-offs.
“I’ve still been playing basketball and working out,” he said.
“I think even ‘Goorj’ will be a little surprised on how fast I can pick up on things and get going.”
A former NBL defensive player of the year, Craig is able to shuffle between the three and four-man spots and can shoot the three-ball well.
He is open to playing any role at the Kings, who boast Cooks, Kouat Noi and Jaylin Galloway in their front-court rotation.
“I’ve always tried to be a guy that can do multiple things, play multiple positions and just be coachable and fit in easy with any group,” Craig said.
“I’ve kind of mastered that throughout my career.”
Dellavedova’s quick recovery will come as a big relief for the Kings given the ex-NBA guard’s extensive concussion history.
The 35-year-old’s career has at times been threatened by head knocks and he faced a nervous wait after going down against former side Melbourne United on January 11.
NBL players are required to miss at least six days with concussion, but must clear different checkpoints with medical staff before returning.
Dellavedova did not participate in Tuesday’s training session but he and former NBL MVP Cooks are both pushing for selection in the side’s next game.
“We care about Delly and he looked real good and looked real lively today. He’s very important to us on and off the floor,” Goorjian said.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Breakers will consider going to market after losing import Rob Baker II to a season-ending knee injury.
Scans confirmed the forward ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament in the win over the Taipans at last weekend’s HoopsFest in Perth.
Harvard graduate Baker averaged 4.9 rebounds and 10.2 points per game in his first NBL season with the seventh-placed Breakers.
AAP
