But showing some of the character which has also made him the player with the most wins in ANBL history, Ronaldson helped lift his New Zealand Breakers team from an 18 point deficit midway through the second half to an unlikely victory over the Perth Wildcats last night.
Ronaldson, nicknamed Bear, contributed 12 points, three rebounds and two assists during his 34 minutes on the court and was playing the final second when a controversial call enabled Kirk Penney to shoot free throws to break a 99-99 tie.
He gets the chance to break Andrew Gaze's record when the Breakers take on the Townsville Crocodiles in north Queensland tomorrow night.
The 36-year-old has been around for long enough that he has experience playing alongside current Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis, doing so in the title-winning South East Melbourne Magic team in his third ANBL season in 1992.
"For me it's been a pleasure to see him grow as a basketball player and also grow as a person," Lemanis said.
"When he came in he had a confidence about himself, and as time has progressed I think he's been able to develop and find different ways to contribute.
"That's why he's been able to last as long as he has, and not only has he lasted but he's still starting for us and playing 30-plus minutes a game."
Lemanis said the record-equalling match did not attract much attention at training during the week at Ronaldson's request.
"It illustrates the quality of the guy when during the week there's been no big deal made of it, and that's the way Bear wants it because he wants to focus on the team rather than himself," he said.
"He completely understands different elements of the team contribute in different ways. He doesn't ask for the spotlight, he understands that there's more to the game than self-glory and you get a lot more with team glory. Guys like that are invaluable."
Lemanis hoped Ronaldson's record, which involves playing in the end-of-year playoffs every season bar his second year in the ANBL in 1991, will continue. "That record shows what he brings to the table. He makes teams better."
