LAS VEGAS - Sitting in front of a group of Denver Nuggets fans at the Las Vegas Summer League, you could overhear them gushing over a talented young prospect wearing their team's colours.
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"Woah that guy is good. I hope we get him," one fan told his group of friends as they watched the Nuggets defeat the Houston Rockets 87-81.
"That guy" they were talking about is a guy everyone at Summer League has been impressed with, Torrey Craig.
Craig finished with a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds in the win, in easily one of his best performances of the circuit.
"I just tried to take what the defense gave me," Craig told NBA Australia after the game.
"Especially in transition, I know that's one of my strong points.
"Rebounding I just tried to use my length, athleticism and physically to just get in there and get strong rebounds."
Craig's physicality has been developed for the last three years playing in the NBL in Australia - one of the most physical leagues in the world by most scouts account.
The 26-year-old guard has spent three seasons in the NBL playing for the Cairns Taipans for two, and last year with the Brisbane Bullets.
He had a breakout season for the Bullets appearing in all 28 games averaging 15.2 points and 8 rebounds per game.
The stellar year was good enough to land him on the All-NBL second team, and he walked away with Defensive Player of the Year honours.
He credits his time in Australia for preparing him to compete at the NBA level.
"The physicality it definitely prepares you," Craig said with a smile.
"Australia is a very physical country with the rugby going on. It kind of goes over to basketball.
"The guys over there are really physical in training everyday, so it really prepares you for when you get out here. You're already prepared for it."
The sense in Vegas is that Craig has played well enough to land a deal elsewhere outside of the NBL. Once his first Summer League experience has wrapped up he plans on sitting down with his agent and looking at all options before he decides what the next move is. He's currently on contract for the next two years in Brisbane.
The goal remains to make it to the NBA , but the experience Craig has gained playing in Australia isn't lost on him.
"I wanted to start my career off somewhere that allowed me to play, have fun and get better.
"I'm glad I chose to go to Australia. It's really helped shape my game to where it is now. I'm very proud of that.
"The number one priority from college was to try and get on an NBA roster. That's what I've been working towards my whole life.
"I'm just trying to pursue that, and take anything that comes with it."
