I had the chance to catch up with Donald Rutherford (Catawba) who landed his first professional contract overseas playing in Denmark for SISU Copenhagen. SISU sits at 4-3 on the season with Rutherford being a very solid contributor tallying 11 PPG and being a force on defense averaging 4.6 RPG and over 2.1 SPG playing around 22 minutes per game. Donald is a client of the video service Pro Player Video and a participant in the 2010 PPV Exposure Camp at LIU-Brooklyn.
1. How has the level of play changed from Catawba to professional basketball in Denmark? Do you feel you were well prepared for such a jump?
The level of play has slightly increased in different areas from playing college basketball at Catawba to playing pro here in Denmark. Even with the increase in competition I really felt prepared coming into this season. I worked out with some pro guys that are a little older then me so they introduced me to what playing overseas ball would be like.
2. Run through some of your favorite memories at Catawba and growing up playing basketball.
At Catawba I won two SAC Conference titles, two SAC Tournament titles, and had 4 NCAA D-2 Tournament selections. Growing up my favorite memory was watching men's/women's basketball at Freedom High School bring home state championships. I remember making my first AAU team and going to watch the Charlotte Hornets play.
3. Describe yourself as a player. What are your strengths and what are some things you need to work on?
I'm a very versatile player that can play both inside and outside. I'm a athlete that can shoot both the mid-range and long distance jumper. I see myself as a slasher and finisher that can also be a playmaker. My biggest strength is my competitive nature. Besides that I always look to improve everyday. I need to be a more consistant shooter, ball handler, and defender. I want to improve my strength, conditioning, explosiveness and continue to develop as a player.
4. We got to see you at the 2010 Pro Player Video Exposure Camp, how did the work you did during the summer really help you to land a contract?
The work I did during the summer really helped develop some new skills and gave me a better chance for success here in Denmark.
5. For a guy looking to market himself; what is some advice you would give?
Be coachable, listen, and network.
6. Do you believe it was more difficult or that people wrote you off because you came from a smaller college?
I don't really think because I was came out of a smaller college that people wrote me off. Numbers don't lie and there are plenty of quality basketball players in lower division basketball that slipped throught the cracks so to speak.
7. You're in Denmark, explain the tradition and getting used to the culture. What are some aspects about their culture you really enjoy thus far?
It took a few weeks to adjust to life outside of the States, but once I did I enjoyed Denmark more and more as days have passed.
8. Explain the process of tasks that you did that got you noticed by the teams overseas?
I went to exposure camps and got some good film. I signed an agent and started contacting various teams. I started networking with coaches and some of their contacts helped me along the way.
9. When you found out about being signed how did you feel and did you celebrate?
When I found out I was about to be signed to a professional team, I celebrated with my friends and family. That whole week was a big party so to say. My brother threw a party for me at a club and my family and friends had a going away cookout for me the Saturday before I left.
10. This is your first contract. After the season, what is your plan to keep marketing yourself and potentially get a better deal?
I plan on networking, getting my game film and contacting teams that are in need at my position. While I'm here in Denmark all I can do is play well and help my team win games.
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