DAVID Craig has enjoyed his time in South Africa, and being temporarily out of the bright lights of competitive basketball, but he has not rested on his laurels. During this off-season, Craig, a first-time free agent, has put in the hard yards, living up to the adage often used in basketball that says, “If you stay ready, then you don’t have to get ready.”
Even with a career-defining move overseas signed and sealed, Craig ploughs on and quietly fine-tunes his game as his new German club awaits his arrival.
The 7ft2 (2.18m) Craig, who would be hard to miss in a crowded room, was going through his paces last Friday in the humble settings of the Mandeville Sports Complex. Settings which are a far cry from the spotlight and aesthetics of the BAL and NCAA basketball. Training with former Made By Basketball (MBB) teammate Nino Dim, they perfect their shooting form with baseline drills inside and outside the arc.
Craig also focused on his post-up game, working with his back to the basket and practising a series of hook shots. He and Dim then wrapped up with a scrimmage session before heading into Craig’s interview with The Big Tip Off. Twenty-two-year-old Craig spoke with great excitement about joining German third-tier club TSV Nuestadt Temps Shooters. The centre, who started his college career with Mercer, is seemingly content with closing that chapter of his life. At the same time, he felt his stint with MBB at the BAL prepared him for the professional ranks.
“I couldn’t be happier. It was the right time for me. I felt I had got everything I could from the Division I level. At this point, this is the right move for my career,” said Craig, who last played for NCAA Division I college Tennessee Tech. “After playing at the BAL level, I felt I could get a bit more out of my career by making the jump to the pros.
“There was a lot of dialogue between me and my agent. Ultimately, we agreed that Europe would be the right place for me to continue developing my game and play at a high level.”
Craig says he has already had discussions with Temps Shooter coach Allen Ray about how he fits into the team’s plans. “I looked forward to working with the coach over there. I have had several discussions with him. It’s been positive. He is big on meeting players at their point and being able to help them grow their game,” said Craig. “From the discussion we had and learning about the club, I feel I will be a good fit.
“I also have a lot I can learn from the older players. I look forward to this experience and how it will help to evolve my game.”
He went on to elaborate on his experience with MBB at the Nile Conference of the BAL. He says rubbing shoulders with some of the wise heads in the team was humbling for him.
“It was one of the biggest blessings to have happened in my life… Being able to represent South Africa while also achieving a lifelong dream of playing professional basketball… Playing with some of the people who laid the ground for up-and-coming South African players like me. Guys like Neo Mothiba and Lebesa Selepe… Getting a wholesome and genuine experience of them and being in Kigali. Those moments I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Craig. “Just like the guys I mentioned, I hope to be an inspiration for the coming generation… Continue to pave the way and bring back expertise and information for kids who want to pursue basketball at any level in the future.
“It (the BAL) showed me how big the possibilities can be, especially from a professional perspective.”
View this post on Instagram
He says another thing the BAL did for him was to improve his temperament. Craig recalled starting in the most-watched game in the BAL (MBB vs APR), which had 168000 views on YouTube according to FIBA Africa.
“One thing the BAL taught me is to always embrace the big moments, like playing in the second game against APR, where I got to start. It was the most-viewed BAL game, and what it did for my career. There is no telling how many of those I could have in Germany. So you have to grab every big opportunity with both hands because you don’t know when you will get the next one,” said Craig. “I never thought Germany would happen. There was just the BAL, and we had to figure out the next move.
“The other thing I learnt was to stay professional and consistent regardless of what happens. You can’t let results dictate your work. You must show up every single day and maintain consistency. Don’t be results-oriented. It’s better to embrace the process.”
Each passing day means Craig is coming closer and closer to the cut-throat world of professional basketball. As he prepares himself for a career leap, he speaks with fondness about being home.
“Having this time does so much more than it seems on the surface. Firstly, South Africa is a very special place. It takes you leaving here to understand that – being around people who appreciate and understand you. People who respect your journey. It does more for you as a person than you can imagine,” said Craig. “The pressure now is for me to rest and improve… Get ready for Germany.
“There are a lot of people who will be watching me… As they have been, and that will never change. Right now, not having the pressure of performing in this very moment is relieving because being in that spotlight can sometimes be a lot to carry.”
Craig continued: “I think anybody coming up and wanting to make a career out of basketball needs to know that because it does take a mental toll… More so than it would physically.”
These are wise words from the big man, given that he is well-versed in high-level basketball, they carry weight. As he enters this next phase of his career, those words can hopefully guide him in navigating what awaits him in Germany.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for all the latest feature stories and previews of events on the African continent.
