How a former NBA talent cracked Rucker's Top 3

When it was first announced, Melbourne recruit Cole Anthony was joining the Hungry Jack's NBL, many picked him to take the League by storm.

One of those is 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker, who named Anthony in his star-studded pre-season Top 15, revealed on Thursday.

"Cole Anthony, the super charismatic new import guard for Melbourne United, had a solid NBA career, and things probably didn't work out the way he wanted them to over the past two seasons," Rucker said during Thursday's Top 15 reveal episode.

"We now get the benefit of having him here [in the NBL].

"He's athletic, can shoot it, and keep in mind, the three-point line's a little bit closer here, so it should be a little bit easier for him.

"He is going to love the Australian style of play. He'll get up and down. He'll be able to create at the rim. He'll playmake for his teammates.

"I'm really looking forward to a healthy Cole Anthony being able to go out there and star for Melbourne United."

While two-time NBL champion Lanard Copeland questions the exact role Anthony will have on the revamped United side, alongside Joe Ingles, Luke Travers, Chris Goulding, Sam Waardenburg and Josh Oduro, Rucker is confident in what the NBA Draftee can do.

"I don't think there will be any issue in terms of him finding out what he needs to do," Rucker added.

"You know what I need you to do, [Cole]? I need you to go out and play like number three on this top 15 list. If you go out and do that, everything else is going to take care of itself.

"He's going to average 18-20 points a game, be around that 7 to 8 assists per game mark.

"But the most important thing is they need leadership, especially in the absence of Shea Ili.

"[Once] Cole Anthony gets out there, [he'll] be the face of the franchise. He's box office, and that's another reason why he sits at number three."

While Adelaide's Bryce Cotton and Sydney's Kendric Davis once again came in a one and two, respectively, two other All-NBL First Teamers, Kristian Doolittle and Nathan Sobey, from the 2025-26 campaign rounded out the top five.

The Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season tips off at 7:30pm AEST on Saturday, September 19, the first of a jam-packed 13 games across nine days as part of Opening Week.

Catch the action all season long on ESPN and Saturday hoops on the 9Network.