So much so, it appears he will be slipping on an Otago Nuggets singlet this season.
The former Tall Black has been linked with a move to the Dunedin franchise.
General manager Angela Ruske declined to comment on rumours Rusbatch would suit up for the Nuggets this season.
"We can’t comment on anything that’s not publicly announced through our socials," she said with a chuckle.
Ruske was happy to comment on what a player of that calibre would bring, though.
Rusbatch torched the Nuggets for 27 points the last time he popped up in Dunedin.
He tossed in eight three-pointers that night in April to lead the Franklin Bulls to an emphatic 107-84 win.
The 33-year-old shooting guard would be a valuable asset.
"He would be a good get for the Nuggets, both on and off the court, and as a team leader," Ruske said.
"And he is a fantastic person to have around your community, so he would be an amazing signing."
Rusbatch is a quality outside shooter who has forged a solid NBL career.
He started with the Southland Sharks in 2012 and shifted north to Taranaki the following season.
He had four seasons with the Canterbury Rams and several stints with the Hawke’s Bay Hawks, and has spent the past two seasons with the Franklin Bulls.
Outside the New Zealand NBL, he had two seasons with the Breakers in the Australian Basketball League.
He had a brief professional stint in the Philippines and also played professionally in Finland, where he averaged 9.6 points for Tampereen Pyrinto.
While Ruske could not comment on whether Rusbatch would be heading south this season, she said the franchise had been working quietly in the background and the roster was looking solid.
The public could expect some announcements soon, but she offered a small teaser.
"There is quite a bit of movement this year, and we’ve had a few key players who are heading overseas."
Long-serving small forward Joshua Aitcheson signalled his impending retirement last season and will not be back in 2026.
Veteran point guard Darcy Knox will be another notable absentee. He brought up 100 games for the franchise last season, but Ruske confirmed he was looking to move to Perth and play in the ANBL 1 league.
The Otago Nuggets open their season with an away fixture against the Southland Sharks on April 10.
