Ricky Grace must have been close?
I bet there have been a ton of them closer to 40 than 35 too.

Rob Rose

I forgot Andrew Gaze.

Oh and Shane Heal was 38 when he played his last NBL game and Tony Ronaldson was almost 38. Al Green was about 38, Ray Borner was 38 (almost 39) and cal Bruton was 38 going on 39 at the end of his last season.

"This made me wonder about players who played their first NBL game after they were 30?"
D-Mac?

Matt Flynn.

Sorry. Spelling. Matt Flinn I think would have been the oldest player to suit up in the NBL

Admit to getting Bradtke wrong and Gaze (very close), as for players making debut after 30 there would be plenty, mostly imports for example Sam Young, Galen Young, Ira Clark and many more

Matt Flinn was only 38 when he suited up again a few years ago.

I think john rillie was 40 in his final season as well (or very close to it)

did Derek Rucker?

Rillie was close - 38 at the end of his last season
That surprised me. I hadn't realised he was already 23 when he started in the NBL.

cj bruton wants to be another one of those "doesnt know when to hang up the boots" types

That happens when you're busy winning titles!

winning titles is a team thing. atm cj seems to be the oldest guy on the floor for nz . and his impact is not like that of a sam cassell or a juwan howard. what he do this off season? lose wait . his shootings not there , hes not vocal enough during tight games. rather have boucher back for another 10 years of all out hussle & defence

You missed the point, he could have retired after each of the titles but kept going and kept helping them win more. At some point the run has to end but that doesnt mean he played too long.

During each of the past two seasons he struggled in the regular season and then came good in the playoffs.

His contract expires after this season and yes he does step up during playoffs but I doubt NZ will be in them this year

Steven, i dont think James crawford was 40 when he retired. Was close to it and was still wanting to play on but the cats decided on younger talent.
He was still as good as ever and lost none of his athleticism so could have played well into his 40's. As was darryl mac and loggins. Post should be what players were still as good playing in their 40's. Those three are the only ones i can remember.

Oh yeah i forgot about that short stint in canberra. Not sure either if he was 40 yet at that stage

Help win by sitting his ass on the bench & not wasting minutes
CJ & Corletto having a slump of a season. if the shots aint falling play some damn hard nose defence. yall got plenty of fouls to give

Steven,
JC's contract had a lot to do with it to.
The new owners AV and Longley had a new top dollar man in Paul Rogers.

Wonder if the NZNBL is an option for a season or two for CJ Bruton? (if he still wants to play)

this is his 5th or 6th season at the breakers and im sure hes never played NZBL before?

I'm sure CJ's body needs the rest between NBL seasons. Hence, his retirement from International comp? However, when no longer in the NBL for best part of 9 months, I bet he could make a big contribution to the NZNBL. Also a coach too.

recover = eat some sheep

9 months is still along time to sit & relax
not like NBL is 82 games. its barely 30 if you make the finals

Whoops, forgot that one.
Was it one or 2 seasons?
He took over as coach halfway through one of them.