Derek Rucker’s Top 15: Doolittle rockets to No. 3

In his third season in the NBL, Perth’s Kristian Doolittle has well and truly established himself as one of the best players in the League.

During the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 campaign, the 28-year-old posted career-highs in points (16.6), rebounds (7.4), assists (3.6) and three-point percentage (34.6), which led to his maiden All-NBL First Team selection.

His play didn’t go unnoticed either, with rival coach, Tasmania’s Scott Roth, labelling the American forward the competition’s “best player”.

"I've always thought this, and I think he's the best player in the League hands down, because he plays at every level, and plays multiple positions, and he's big and strong,” Roth said.

"He's having a fantastic year, an MVP-level year, and he's really fun to watch, and he does it all level.

"He can defend, and he can move his feet and switch onto guys, he can handle the ball, and he's smart and can shoot the ball, and he's got the middy.

"He's really a smart and physically dominant player at his size, and he was a difference maker throughout this entire game. He's been having a fantastic season, and I love the way he plays, and he's probably my favourite non-JackJumper."

As well as that, NBL commentator called Doolittle “arguably the two best two-way player in the league”.

Now, 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker has rewarded Doolittle with a huge rise in his latest Top 15 rankings.

At the mid-way point of the season, Dootlittle was ranked 14th, but in the most recent edition, the Wildcats star was slotted in at spot number three - only behind Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton and Sydney’s Kendric Davis.

“The 28-year-old from Oklahoma has proven himself to be one of the best players in the competition,” Rucker said.

“[He] continues to improve his play at a meteoric rate, tough inside and outside.

“[He] has the potential also to be a Defensive Player of the Year in seasons to come.

“A true MVP candidate in seasons to come for the Perth Wildcats.”

Doolittle is one of nine players under contract for the Wildcats next season, along with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., Dylan Windler, Elijah Pepper, Jesse Wagstaff, Ben Henshall, Jaron Rillie, Cameron Huefner and Noa Kouakou-Heugue.