Rising star Craig rolls out of QBL into NBA

FROM the Queensland Basketball League to the NBA in less than a month.

It sounds like a tall story but it’s the reality for Torrey Craig, who has signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets just four weeks after last playing for the Gold Coast Rollers in the QBL.

Craig, who starred for the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL season, played six games with the Nuggets’ Summer League team, averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22 minutes a game.

It was enough for the 198cm swingman to convince Denver officials to sign him to the twoway contract, a deal that will allow him to spend up to 45 days with the NBA team and the rest of the time with the Development League outfit.

It’s a great reward for Craig and massive kudos for the Rollers and Bullets, underlining Australia’s reputation as a great nursery for NBA players.

The University of South Carolina-Upstate graduate went undrafted in the 2014 NBA class and headed to Australia where he played for the Cairns Taipans and Bullets.

Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis said while losing Craig was a blow, it was great to see the NBL fulfil its role in helping players achieve their full potential.

“It’s a massive reflection on us as a club,” Lemanis said.

“He came to us for a season and developed his game to a point where he was able to make an NBA roster and that’s a wonderful outcome for everybody.

“I feel proud.”

Craig linked with the Rollers as their star import, playing 10 games for the club and averaging 28.2 points and 9.9 rebounds.

His last game was against the Cairns Marlins on June 24 where he had 32 points and eight boards in 40 minutes.