“Take some paracetamol and make sure you don’t fall asleep” – Former NBL MVP lifts lid on concussion that left him “dazed”

Three-time champion Matt Knight wants the NBL to adopt even stronger concussion protocols – and there are plenty of former players who understand his mindset.

Former NBL MVP Derek Rucker understands Matt Knight’s plea for stronger concussion protocols and says he had a scary head knock of his own that left him “dazed”.

Rucker once bumped into former Gold Coast American power forward Leroy Combs and came off second best with a heavy concussion.

Three-time champion Knight has urged the NBL to strengthen its six-day minimum policy to a mandatory 12-day stand-down period for concussion.

The former Wildcats big man had 15 concussions during his 10-year career and was medically retired in 2017.

He still suffers from headaches and fears memory loss in the future.

Concussion in NBL front & centre, @JackJumpers@IAM_JCraw joins, @3jvasiljevic back but Kings unhappy, AJ Johnson frustrated at Hawks. @ShaneHeal on Bullets tribunal interference, @derekrucker5 on Chris Paul, SuperCoach & more
📽️https://t.co/5q6nWV0XYQ@[e-mail]/ulRjxY15Wh

— The Basketball Show 🇦🇺 (@BasketballAu) October 18, 2023

The NBL’s Graduated Return to Play policy has been successful, as shown by Melbourne United’s thorough approach to concussion issues involving guard Shea Ili, but Knight believes there is scope for further improvement.

Rucker, who played 411 NBL games for four clubs, can relate to this mindset given his own worrying head knock.

“I remember having a concussion on the Gold Coast when I bumped into Leroy Combs on a screen in the back-court and I was dazed,” Rucker said on this week’s Basketball Show.

“Not only did I continue to play, after the game they said ‘here, take some paracetamol and just make sure you don’t fall asleep’.

“That was the protocol back in the day and who knows what damage has been caused to my brain.

“We kind of laugh about it but it’s no laughing matter. There is so much life after basketball and we have to protect our players.

“Let’s hope that Matty (Knight) gets the help that he needs and he can see some of the best people in the country.

“People just think it’s headaches but it’s not just the headaches. It’s emotional instability and all the other things that come with that type of trauma.”

Three-time champion Matt Knight suffered 15 concussions throughout his career and he is passionate about pushing for proactive change. Why Knight wants to meet with the @NBL in a bid to help others. @codebballau
READ: 🏀👇https://t.co/ZdTXwdxfNNpic.twitter.com/qsY2dibt6E

— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) October 18, 2023

Concussion is a talking point in the NBL after United star Matthew Dellavedova suffered a head knock during a win over Brisbane in the most recent round.

Dellavedova will miss United’s two games this weekend as the club takes every measure to protect him.

Fellow legend Shane Heal also experienced concussion during his career but he said the culture at the time dictated that it was a badge of honour to keep playing.

“We were just taught to shake it off,” Heal said.

“You would have a massive hit and a massive headaches for days.

“I was brought up in the day when my dad would say ‘give it a hard rub and get on with it. Don’t show that you are hurt. You have to keep playing and play through the pain.’

“It was the way we were brought up.”

Originally published as “Take some paracetamol and make sure you don’t fall asleep” – Former NBL MVP lifts lid on concussion that left him “dazed”