Basketball: Ethan Rusbatch player of the week as US import EJ Singler joins him in team of week

Hawks swingman Ethan Rusbatch looks at the electronic scoreboard with a degree of indifference as Supercity Rangers guard Randall Bishop watches at the PG Arena, Napier. Photo/Photosport

Hawks swingman Ethan Rusbatch has been named the player of the week after round one of the National Basketball League.

Rusbatch also joined fellow Taylor Corporation-sponsored Hawke's Bay franchise teammate EJ Singler in the team of the week.

The 26-year-old featured prominently for the Hawks in their double header in the 106-79 loss to the Wellington Saints last Friday night in the capital city as well as the 98-86 victory over the Supercity Rangers (Auckland) in their match in Napier the following night.

The Tall Black scored 17 points at 46 per cent from field goals and registered 42 per cent from outside the arc against the Saints. In that clash, he also pulled off three rebounds, two steals and sunk three treys.

Against the Rangers, Rusbatch was unstoppable in piling on 34 points at 60 per cent from field goals and 63 per cent from the carpark. He came agonisingly close to claiming a double-double with eight off the glass. He made two assists and sunk seven three pointers.

Since leaving his hometown of Christchurch a year ago to play for the Hawks under coach Zico Coronel, the basketballer has taken his game to higher echelons after revealing his desire to represent his country more consistently.

Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare, also at the helm of the Saints this season, is nutting out a squad for the Fiba World Cup in China in September.

American import Sinclair, of Oregon, scored 19 points, took nine rebounds and an assist, steal and block each against the Saints.

The following night, the 28-year-old small forward claimed a double-double 26 points and a dozen rebounds, three assists and a steal and block each.

The Hawks had rested Australian import centre Daniel Kickert and temporary US import forward Shaquille Thomas against the Rangers.

■ Team of the week: Mitch McCarron (Southland Sharks), Ethan Rusbatch (Hawks), EJ Singler (Hawks), Nick Kay (Saints), Venkatesha Jois (Rangers).
■ Player of the week: Rusbatch.

Hawks small forward EJ Singler tries to muscle past Supercity Rangers players in the NBL match at the PG Arena, Napier, on Saturday. Photo/Photosport