US beckons frustrated Trueman
Jeremiah Trueman will use his short-term deal with the Perth Wildcats as a farewell to the NBL before moving his young family to the United States.
The Tall Blacks international rejoined the Wildcats this week as an injury replacement for Matt Knight, who has been ruled out for at least three more games because of his latest bout of concussion.
Trueman is waiting on an NBL clearance before taking his place in the line-up for tomorrow night's clash with Melbourne at Perth Arena.
He was released by the Wildcats last year and signed a two-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers.
But he was placed on a waiver by the reigning champions in October to make way for Gary Wilkinson.
The unfortunate situation prompted Trueman to reflect on his career and reassess his future.
"Mentally I've just been in the grind and it was just so tough not knowing if we were coming back to Perth, and then signing a two-year deal with the Breakers that kind of fell through," Trueman said.
"I've got three kids and a wife now. I'm 26 and basketball-wise I'm pretty young, but in the stage of life I'm in, I feel 35.
"I've got to start looking at my options after basketball and in the last two months I've been able to really think about what I want to do."
The Breakers wanted to retain Trueman but couldn't fit him under the NBL player points cap, a controversial equalisation measure that has proved unpopular with the players.
"It's just a bad points system and I was just caught up in a bad situation," Trueman said.
"Unfortunately that's the game."
Trueman will spend at least a fortnight with the Wildcats before playing the New Zealand national league season with Manawatu Jets.
In July, Trueman and his wife, Mary, who is from San Diego, will take their three young children to live in the US.
Trueman will consider his options in basketball and marketing.
Meanwhile, Melbourne forward Lucas Walker will miss at least three games with a recurring Achilles tendon injury.
He will be replaced in the Tigers line-up by development player Greg Page for the clash with the Wildcats.
