Ethan Rusbatch

Early life

Born in the Canterbury Region, 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.

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 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). 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, and represented New Zealand for the first time with the under 17 squad.

In January 2009, Rusbatch captained the New Zealand under 18 team to a bronze medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. He went on to captain the same squad in Spain at the Vilagarcía Basket Cup in April 2009, a tournament they finished last in. 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. He subsequently earned all-tournament team honours. He again earned all-tournament team honours for his efforts during the 2010 Under 19 National Championships.

In July 2010, Rusbatch competed in the five-day Conference Basketball League tournament in Porirua for the Junior Tall Blacks. 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, and during the 2010–11 season, he averaged 3.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 28 games. 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. He subsequently earned all-tournament team honours and was named tournament MVP.

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. 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. Over four games, he averaged 5.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. 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.

Taranaki Mountainairs (2013)

In February 2013, Rusbatch signed with the Taranaki Mountainairs for the 2013 New Zealand NBL season. 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. 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.

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. 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). 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. 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. 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.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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

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. 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. 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. 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.

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

2017 season

On 17 October 2016, Rusbatch re-signed with the Rams for the 2017 season.

New Zealand Breakers (2016–present)

On 24 August 2016, Rusbatch signed with the New Zealand Breakers as a development player for the 2016–17 NBL season. 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.

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. He attended a camp in Auckland in early July, but was cut prior to the team's European tour.

On 18 May 2016, Rusbatch was one of four debutants named in New Zealand's 14-man squad to travel to Asia in June. He was later cut from the squad on June 17 prior to the team's European tour.

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. Rusbatch's brother, Bede Marsters, also plays in the NBL for the Rams.