The Ruben Borg Interview (Australia)

April 12, 2023

The Ruben Borg Interview (Australia)

Name: Ruben Borg

Hometown: Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia

Height: 6-4

Position: Shooting Guard/Point Guard

High School: Winston Salem Christian (NC)

Graduation Class: 2025

AAU Club: Winston Salem Christian

GPA: 3.8

Status: Uncommitted

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Ruben Borg is a 6-4 Combo Guard from Australia. He's currently a sophomore at Winston-Salem Christian School. Borg moved to the States last fall after previously attending Corpus Christi Catholic High School in New South Wales.

I am so honored to bring Borg on board as he's my first Australian prospect I have worked with. I have searched long and hard for Australian talent, but I believe I struck gold with the 2025 guard. Seeing Australian talent in world competitions, the pro basketball scene with players such as Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Josh Giddey to even my new favorite college basketball player in Duke's Tyrese Proctor, Australia is a top 3 basketball country in my opinion. Furthering my take, watching film on Borg his game lives up to the country's hype.

He gets it done with the ball in his hands. Scoring from all three levels on the perimeter, within 15-feet and playing strong in the paint, Borg's motor is second to none on the court. That's not all though. The Aussie is very unselfish as a lead guard as he can set teammates for even better shots when drawing 2. A lot of people don't ever put together how much alike the Australian game is to Europe with skill building and running through sets. But, best believe I would trust Borg as a teammate, and or operating as my system as he's setting himself up nicely through his play. The best is yet to come for him.

I caught up with the international prospect on the Australian basketball scene, the move to North Carolina and preparation heading into junior year.

Ruben Borg Interview

When did you first start playing basketball?

"When I was 12 years old. I was watching different sports as I just stopped playing soccer, and it looked so fun and exciting. I was on holiday in San Francisco and my fam took me to a warriors game. Since then I have loved it."

Editor's note: It explains why he looks like the most conditioned person when on the court.

Describe your game from a skill standpoint.

"I would say I’m a player who plays extremely hard and can shoot the ball at a high level from all three areas. I can get through the defence, and get paint touches causing the defence to react. I can lock up the others team best player, and rebound the ball. My shot is one of my best attributes, as well as speed and athleticism."

How was life growing up in the Land Down Under?

"Life in Australia was really cool. I lived five minutes from the beach, and in my home town we had multiple beaches and areas that are like no other. Shellharbour is in the middle of everything. Mountains, the lake and beach. Living in a tropical area is really nice especially in winter as it still gets cold, but not nearly as cold as anywhere else. Basketball in Australia is good, but nothing like the States. It’s still really competitive and fun, but not competitive like the US, and no one is as athletic as here in the States."

It’s been arguably said that Australia is one of the top countries in the world for basketball. From the world competitions, skill development, and even with the representation of pros and college players across the board, the Australian basketball scene is up there. In your words, what does being an Australian player mean to you?

"Being an Australian hooper for me means a kid who is an underdog. We aren’t in America, and we don’t have big facilities and AAU events. Our game is more simple, and more strategic. It’s very similar to Europe as we run lots of plays, and our dribbles are more useful. As a old coach used to tell me not to dribble at my feet, and have my first dribble forward. There’s not any mixtapes of people being broken of the dribble like there is in America, but the Aussie basketball culture is growing in the country and worldwide. We have hundreds of players through the NBA, college and overseas pros. I feel like a lot of the kids in Australia are now trying to get on a travel team from Australia to play AAU. This is what I did."

“There aren’t high school ball competitions like in the states unless you go to a big private school.” He continued. “There is no AAU in Sydney, but there is in Melbourne. The universities in Australia don’t have teams like the colleges in the States. The NBA Global Academy is a great way to connect to schools in the States. Through American teams, or coming up through your club to eventually play NBL. Other than that, there isn’t much."

Transferring to a new country comes with many different things to think about. With opportunities, leaving family and discovering new life. How did you discover WSCS and how was the process behind it?

"I came on a tour with Recruiting Boost, and played in multiple live periods for the AAU team. From this came film and after I left the tour to came back home, I talked with the agent of the group. My dad and them both recommended me to play high school ball. This sounded so cool to me and I loved the challenge. I had different schools texting me and my dad, but after all of them it came down to WSCS as it was the best fit for me. Some challenges I have came across from moving away from my home are missing the town, friends and fam. Other than that, I have transitioned well and I have had to deal with lots of different challenges. Since being over here, I feel it has shaped me for the better. I trusted God, and still do that his path for me is greater than what mine will ever be."

What’s a typical day at Winston Salem Christian?

"A typical day at WSCS for me is waking up at 5:30am. Go to the gym and finish at 7:00. Get ready for 8:05 because then I go through my 8 periods, which include weights. After school we have practice from 5:00-8:00pm for AAU. After that I will workout again either in the weight room, or on the court. After this, I'll eat and go to bed. Then I'm ready to repeat again."

How was your sophomore season?

"Team wise for the season this year, our team went 15-8, which is pretty good. We didn’t finish the way we wanted, but it went well. I enjoyed playing with my teammates. We had a great time as there were lots of highs, and times where we improved. The organisation was really strong from all teams and from the coaching standpoint. The school atmosphere was electric and ecstatic. The guys made it so much more fun."
"Individually my sophomore season went great." He continued. "I averaged 15.8 points, 6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. As a sophomore on varsity team and playing a tough schedule, I’m proud of these numbers. I was named to the Carolina Athletic Association for Schools of Choice All-Conference Team. I had lots of good memories. Like the time I had the game winning steal, and shot to send our team to the second round of the conference playoffs. Lots of learning experiences from great coaches, and other players' feedback to improve on."

You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?

"For me my training is simple, but I feel like it helps a lot. I train 3 to 5 times a day. I work on the stuff that I need to work on to make me a better player. Since being here in the states, I have had lot of more access to the gym, which I have loved. I love being in the gym. It is therapeutic for me. Right now, I feel I have to watch more film and study more of the players I like. My trainer back home, Cortez Groves has helped me tremendously as he picked me up from when I could barely dribble left handed to seeing my progress before I left for the states. Another trainer is Carol Robins. She was my strength and conditioning coach as I would go three mornings a week, while I was back home. I love doing the things that others don’t want to do as I feel I have an advantage that way."

Who is your favorite basketball player and why?

"Definitely Kobe Bryant. I love Kobe as I admire his work ethic, and the time he spent on his craft. This is someone I aspire to be. His game is simple, but very effective. A couple of my moves actually come from him. I love his message he sends out even to this day. May he rest in peace."

Who would you consider your role models?

"My role models are J. Cole and Kobe Bryant. These two have changed my life in so many ways. J Cole has had an impact on me through his music, and the word he teaches about coming through hardship and overcoming adversity. I have already talked about Kobe, and why he is an inspiration to me."

As you’re now at the age where you’re starting to look for college opportunities, what do you ideally look for in a college?

"I personally look for how much interest the school actually has in me, and if they really want me. I would also look at the past success, and coaching at the school. I would check for the division, and how I would fit into their program. I would go on a visit, and talk it over with my family."

What are your expectations heading into junior year?

"I don’t really have expectations as I have trust in God that his work mixed with my hard work will get me opportunities. I have trust in the program at WSCS, and I have trust in the coaches. I expect lots of learning experiences."

Thank you Ruben for taking the time to talk with me this afternoon. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation. Any last words