Fan Favourite Calls Time on Basketball Career
Ballarat Basketball and the Miners family wish to announce that fan-favourite Tyler “Rudy” Rudolph has decided to retire from professional basketball and will not be returning for the 2025 NBL1 South season.
Over two incredible seasons with the Ballarat Miners, Rudy not only established himself as one of the premier big men in the league but also as a cherished member of the Ballarat community. His on-court dominance earned him back-to-back Ballarat Miners Ray Borner MVP and NBL1 South All-Star 5 honours, a testament to his exceptional talent and commitment. Off the court, his connection with fans and the wider Ballarat community left an equally indelible mark, solidifying his place as a true fan favourite.
Rudy had this heartfelt message for all of our fans: “Hey Miners fans, I just wanted to let you all know that I’ve decided to be done with playing basketball and I will not be returning to Ballarat for the upcoming season. I’ve been really enjoying time back home with family, and I am excited to move on to life after basketball. I just want to thank the Ballarat community for welcoming me in and supporting me over the 2 years I was there. I appreciate the club, coaches, teammates, and fans for everything you’ve done for me. As difficult as this decision was, I was lucky enough to call Ballarat home for 2 years, and I can’t wait to cheer them on from home this season! Goodluck and Go Miners!”
Ballarat Basketball CEO Nev Ivey, also reflected on Rudy’s impact, saying: “Rudy has been a cornerstone of our club over the past two seasons, not just for his extraordinary performances on the court but also for his humility, leadership, and connection with our community. While we are deeply saddened to see him retire, we fully support his decision and wish Rudy and his wonderful family all the best in their next chapter. We know he’ll be cheering us on from afar, and he’ll always have a home here in Ballarat.”
Rudy’s contributions to the Ballarat Miners and the league will not be forgotten. While we will miss him both on and off the court, we are incredibly grateful for the memories, the milestones, and the joy he brought to our team and fans.
We thank Rudy and his family for their time with us and wish them every success and happiness in the future. Once a Miner, always a Miner.
