Bullet Craig eyeing move to NBA's Denver
Jul 19, 2017 - 1:05 AM Brisbane Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis says Torrey Craig's ascension from the NBL to the NBA is a massive endorsement of Australian basketball.The South Carolina native, who began his NBL career with the Cairns Taipans before moving to the Bullets last season, carried his outstanding NBL form into the NBA's Summer League with the Denver Nuggets.
Craig is now poised to sign a two-way deal with the Nuggets, which will see him share his time between the NBA franchise and their G-League affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Lemanis conceded it was time to plan for life without Craig, but in the same breath expressed his joy for the 26-year-old.
"In the post-season review I said 'Mate I love you but you shouldn't be here, you should be in the NBA so why aren't you?'," Lemanis said.
"We're stoked for him; that's what we're about as a club, is helping people reach their potential and I'm so happy to see him do well at Summer League and get all that attention around him," Lemanis said.
The NBL's reigning defensive player of the year averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and one block in 22.2 minutes per game in the Summer League.
But it was his 27 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in a 87-81 win over the Houston Rockets that really put his name in lights.
Australian NBL pair Mitch Creek and Nathan Sobey were also given opportunities in the Summer League, adding further relevance to an Australian competition that was on the nose only a few years ago.
"It certainly shines a light on it and continues the growing trend over the past four or five years in the acknowledgement of the Australian basketball scene and how playing here can help you become a better player," the Bullets coach said.
"It's a good outcome for him and ultimately a good outcome for the club (because it shows that it is) a place where you can come and achieve your ultimate goals."
Source: AAP
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