Interview with Tony Rutland

Tony Rutland has played basketball worldwide with stops in countries such as Austria, Venezuela, Cyprus as well as Korea.

He was a highly regarded high school and collegiate basketball player having been a four year starting point guard at both Bethel High in Virginia and Wake Forest University, respectively.

After graduating from Wake Forest University in 1997, Tony played one season with the SK Knights of the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

In his one KBL season (1998), he averaged 11.7 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Along with his various international stops, he also played in various North American leagues including the NBA Development League, XBA and USBL.

Although Tony is not currently playing basketball professionally, he has not officially retired and, in fact, there may be a possibility of him playing once again in the KBL at some point.

We are pleased to present this interview with Tony where we discuss his basketball career and background.

Please note that HalfKorean.com comments/questions are in BOLD.

Background: The Basics on Tony

Where were you born, raised and currently reside?
I was born on February 27, 1975 in Manila, Philippines and raised in Virginia. We moved around due to my father being in the Air Force. I currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

How did your parents meet?
My dad was in the military and they met through a mutual friend. When I played in the KBL in 1999, come to find out that mutual friend happen to be my tailor.

That’s a crazy coincidence. How did you find out it was the same person?
My father came to visit me in Korea and I wanted him to meet my tailor. When they saw each other, they hugged and talked like old friends meeting for the first time in years.

Do you have any siblings?
I have an older brother James and younger sister Viveca.

Do you speak any Korean?
No, I don’t, but I do understand a little.

What is your favorite Korean food?
Bulgogi (불고기) and kimchi (김치). I just like it all.

Did you grow up around other half/mixed Koreans (or people of mixed heritage)?
Not much but I had some friends because of the Air Force.

Did you ever experience any identity issues while growing up?
No, I didn’t. I was always proud of who I was. I got joked on a little but I was okay.

When was the last time you have been to Korea?
When I played basketball in Korea.

Had you been to Korea prior to playing in the KBL?
No.

What do people who meet/see you think your ethnicity is?
They just know I’m Asian.

Basketball

How long have you been playing basketball?
I started playing when I was 10 years old.

Were you into any other sports while growing up?
The first sport I played was soccer. But I also played baseball and football.

During your time at Wake Forest, how hard was it to balance your studies and college athletics?
It is always hard when you are a student-athlete. I did well and worked hard to making good grades.

Have you met any other half/mixed Korean (or Asian) basketball players in college or in professional leagues?
Of course. I played against Greg Stevenson in college and I know Tony Akins.

Since the basketball court is well known for its trash talking, has your ethnicity ever been brought up on the court?
No, not at all. I really don’t talk unless someone starts talking to me.

I know you’ve played with Allen Iverson in high school and Tim Duncan in college and probably a wide variety of talent overseas. Who would you consider to have been your best teammate?
I would say Randolph Childress, who was my teammate in college. He took me under his wings and taught me a lot. But overall, I have met a lot of good players and have made a lot of new friends.

What are you up to these days? Are you still playing professionally?
I’m in law enforcement now, a probation officer. I play in a couple of semi-pro leagues. It was tough because I have a daughter and I wanted to stay and watch her grow.

What was it like to play professionally for the SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League in 1998-99? Did the KBL reach out to you about playing in the league? What was the reception like from your teammates, coaches, opposing players, fans, etc?
Korea was the best. I was able to play in front of my family. They did reach out to me to play. It was a different experience than other professional leagues. I got caught up with two popular Korean players, Seo Jang-hoon and Hyun Joo-yup. They are great players. SK had these two rookies that were very popular but they didn’t really get along. Management would tell me not to score and to pass the ball to them, so my talent was never really shown because I got caught into that problem. Management wanted them to shine because they were so popular.

Were your parents and family supportive of your decision to play in the KBL?
My family was very supportive. I wish my mother was able to see me play in Korea.

As far as you know, were there any other mixed Koreans in the KBL at that time?
No.

Did you get to interact at all with Kim Dong Kwang, the first mixed Korean to play in the KBL?
No, I didn’t.

Do you still keep in touch with anyone from the KBL?
No, but I often look at the Asia-Basket site to see about old teammates.

How would you compare the KBL to other professional leagues?
It was good. Like I said, other leagues/countries expected me to play well and I did. I worked out with the Sixers and played in numerous countries.

You mention the workout with NBA’s Sixers and I know you played in the NBA D-League as well. Was there any serious interest/pursuit from NBA teams to sign you during your early years out of college?
Yes, a lot of scouts said that I could have left after my second year in college but I was injured. Could have been a first rounder. I worked out for a couple of teams including the Hawks and Grizzlies.

Which professional leagues did you enjoy playing in the most?
Austria, Syria and, of course, Korea.

Do you have any opinions regarding the KBL Ethnic draft that was instituted in 2009?
I wish that they could have done that when I was playing. But, I also think that they shouldn’t have a draft. If a player is willing to get his passport, then he should be able to play and it is up to the team to sign him. I think the teams should have the right to pick up players and that would only help the league. That is how other countries and leagues do it.

Would you consider playing in the KBL again under the new rules of the Ethnic draft?
Yes, I wanted to for next year but I got word too late and they want you to pay for everything and there is no guarantee that you will make a team.

Do you think the changes Korea is making in the KBL and with its National Team by making it easier for mixed Koreans to play will make it a stronger basketball force in Asia and the rest of the world?
Why only one (regarding mixed Koreans on the National Team)? If you are nationalized then they should be able to play.

What are your future career plans?
Who knows? Maybe coach college or pros and maybe a KBL team. Would love to both play and coach in the KBL.

Outside of possibly pursuing the KBL again, do you plan to go to Korea anytime soon?
Yes, real soon. I want to visit my family!

Random

What is your current relationship status and do you have any preferences?
I’m currently single and don’t have any preferences.

I believe you have a daughter, right?
I do have a daughter, Morgan Grace Rutland.

Do you try to incorporate Korean culture while raising your daughter?
Yes, I try. She loves rice and spicy food but I haven’t introduced her to kimchi yet. But, it’s coming. LOL

Do you have any hobbies or interests that you do to relax?
I like to play golf.

Anybody in particular that you respect/look up to?
I respect my father. He has done a lot for me career-wise.

Do you drink soju?
I drank plenty when I was in Korea.

Do you get online often and what are some of your favorite websites?
Facebook and I play a lot of fantasy sports.

How did you find out about HalfKorean.com and what did you think about HalfKorean.com when you first saw it?
I found out about it from you. It was amazing to see how many half Koreans there are and are famous. Have you tried to interview singer Ameriie?

Any words that you would like to pass on to the community?
I’m proud to have the Korean heritage in me. Knowing that others are proud is great. I know that in the past being half Korean was so bad. I’m not saying its 100% better but hopefully it will get there.

Thank you to Tony for taking the time to share with us his experiences and what he is up to now. We hope to see him play pro basketball again and hopefully in the KBL!

Interview by: David Lee Sanders

Posted: 4/29/2011