It’s been 3,267 days since Torrey Craig final stepped onto an NBL courtroom.
His closing recreation earlier than the lengthy hiatus got here towards the Illawarra Hawks, the place he delivered a formidable 30 factors and 18 rebounds. Now, at 35 years previous, Craig has returned to the league, signing with the Sydney Kings.
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Craig started his skilled profession within the NBL, spending his first three seasons in Australia with the Cairns Taipans for 2 years earlier than becoming a member of the Brisbane Bullets forward of the 2016–17 season.
Over 88 video games within the league, he earned the NBL Defensive Participant of the 12 months Award with Brisbane that season. Since then, Craig loved a profitable NBA profession, showing in over 500 video games throughout a number of groups, together with the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics.
Throughout his press convention unveiling with the Kings on Tuesday, Craig mirrored on returning to the league that helped launch his profession.
“I used to be speaking to my household and mates about it. It’s simply loopy how it began right here. It’s undoubtedly a full-circle second,” he stated.
“It feels good. I’ve seen a few acquainted faces. Again to a league the place it sort of all began for me. So it’s thrilling. I’m simply completely satisfied to be again right here and contribute to the crew.”
A kind of acquainted faces is teammate Shaun Bruce, with whom Craig performed at each Cairns and Brisbane a decade in the past.
“I do know Shaun Bruce, we performed collectively in Cairns and Brisbane. So he follows me in all places I am going. It’s been good catching up with him and seeing his infant and his spouse,” Craig stated.
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Craig, who has not performed professionally since departing the Boston Celtics, shared perception into his resolution to return and the way different NBL groups approached him through the pre-season.
“I wasn’t positive what I wished to do as a result of I had turned down a whole lot of different groups,” he stated.
“Previous to the season… Europe, a few groups within the NBL, and when this chance got here, I considered it for a number of days with my agent and my mates and it sort of made sense.
“Why not? Good group of men, nice coach, an awesome crew, nice organisation. I figured it was alternative to come back and attempt to assist this crew win the championship.”
With over a decade of expertise in probably the greatest leagues on this planet, Craig emphasised the management he brings to the Kings and his dedication to serving to the crew chase a title.
“It’s the management I deliver to a crew and main by instance. I’ve been doing that my complete profession, particularly within the NBA. I’ll deliver that right here for the blokes, share my expertise, and attempt to win a championship,” he stated.
“No matter they want me to do, I’m a man you possibly can plug in anyplace, and I’ll do it.”
Head Coach Brian Goorjian revealed that Craig’s signing got here whereas trying to find a alternative for injured star Bul Kuol.
“We wanted one other participant down this again stretch of the season to assist us get the place we need to go,” Goorjian stated.
“When Torrey’s title got here up, it was actually thrilling. He’s performed in Australia earlier than, could be very revered right here, gained Defensive Participant of the 12 months, and has performed an amazing job within the NBA. He can do a number of issues on the courtroom, play a number of positions, and has slot in completely since his arrival. It was a no brainer, and I’m excited to have him right here.”
Craig is about to make his debut off the bench for the Kings throughout their Spherical 18 conflict with Tasmania tomorrow night time at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment, tipping off at 7:30pm AEDT.