Cleveland Rudisill: CCBC Dundalk Coach One of First American Pro Basketball Players in Europe

Growing up in the 1970s heyday of Baltimore basketball, Community College of Baltimore County-Dundalk mens' coach Cleveland Rudisill starred at CCBC Essex for two seasons before taking his game to the University of Baltimore, then a local powerhouse.

Last summer, the 6-foot-8 former power forward was among the Baltimore legends—Wes Unseld, Skip Wise, Ernie Graham, Sam Cassell, Carmelo Anthony, Muggsy Bogues, Juan Dixon and others—honored at the 40^th anniversary of the Baltimore Neighborhood Basketball League. But many of Rudisill's favorite memories on the court—and off—are from a continent away.

Rudisill was among the first wave of American players to play professional basketball in Europe, competing in Luxembourg and France for nine years.

Patch: How did a Baltimore guy end up playing in Luxembourg in 1977?

CR: I'd expected to get drafted out of college and had an agent. But when I wasn't picked, I ended up at a summer basketball camp at Mount St. Mary's. Jim Phelan, the coach there, had contacts in Europe. In fact, he called a coach while I was there, organized a try-out and put me on the phone with the coach.

Patch: Big move for a Baltimore city kid.

CR: Lots of people told me not to do it. But I was going to get to keep playing basketball and get paid. Don't regret it at all. It was the best experience of my life—a lot of great memories.

Patch: What do you recall most fondly?

CR: I was not only the first African-American player with my team in Luxembourg, I was the first American, and the people in Luxembourg were wonderful. The whole country is beautiful. I consider it my second home.

Patch: Was basketball popular in Luxembourg? How did fans treat the players?

CR: It was a 10-team league. We played in a lot of small towns, but everybody would be there at night—everything else closed up. You were looked at as somewhat of a celebrity. In some cases, you might be the only American living in town. The fans hooted and hollered, screamed at you and refs, just like here.

Patch: And you had a nickname in Luxembourg?

CR: Rudy La Casse. Rudy the Breaker [in English]. I broke a board once with a dunk.

Patch: How were salaries?

CR: Salaries were pretty good, between $50,000 and $60,000. And they gave you a car and an apartment, which were mandatory. It might be equivalent to $80,000 or $100,000 today.

Patch: How was playing in France?

CR: In Luxembourg, people speak like six languages and English wasn't a problem. In France, I learned French. I took classes. The best advice I ever got was to forget my native language completely, stop translating and just start learning from scratch. People in France were a little more arrogant. You won't have a social life if you don't learn the language.

Patch: Do early American players in Europe take pride in how the game has developed there?

CR: Absolutely. In Europe, basketball has improved tremendously. I'm still shocked to see how well they play. The gap between Europe and the U.S. was much farther apart when I played. They've shortened that gap. Countries now compete and beat American teams in World Championship games.

Patch: Ever consider the NBA while in Europe?

CR: I got invited to the Bullets camp in 1980—same year Rick Mahorn arrived. He beat me out, but we became friends. We're still friends today.

Patch: And how was the food in France?

CR: (Laughing) I did learn to eat. The cuisine was fantastic. I love fromage—French cheese. They have 1,000 different assortments, but that stuff will ruin your figure.