Thomas Rutherford is the second American to play in Leiden next season. (Photo: ZZ Leiden Basketball).
With Thomas Rutherford’s 2.03-meter reach, basketball selection Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden continues to take shape. With the 25-year-old American player, Leiden FC attracted a player under the boards. Rutherford came from the Swiss region of Basel, Starwing Basket. He signed a contract for next season.
Rutherford graduated from Grossmont High School in California before college. He then joined UC Irvine Anteaters in 2016 on a scholarship. Rutherford, nicknamed Tommy, was the starting center in almost all games except for his freshman college season. In his final season, he averaged 20 minutes inside the lines and scored 10.1 points (with a 68.5% shot percentage) and 4.3 rebounds. He earned an honorable mention for All-Big West in the last two seasons.
In 2020, he was awarded the Big West Best Hustle Award. In the 2017-2018 season, Rutherford was a member of the All-Big West First Team. “With Tommy, we’re bringing in a very skilled 5 (centre),” said coach Doug Spradley. “He’s really a good rebel and a strong postal player.”
Rutherford was not recruited into the NBA, after which the American position set his sights on Europe. Racing Lux, playing in the highest competition in Luxembourg, has become its first race
European band. Last season, Rutherford played for Starwing Basket Regio Basel, one of the teams in the highest league in Switzerland.
Leiden Sports
