Why Canterbury Rams’ American René Rougeau returned to the NBL 16 years on from his pro debut

Saturday, 18 July 2026

Sixteen years on from where his pro basketball career started, the serendipity is not lost on American veteran René Rougeau.

At an age where many of his peers have long retired, the 40-year-old is in his 16th year as a pro, travelling the world, playing the game he loves for a living.

The Canterbury Rams forward has experienced a true full circle moment, returning to New Zealand’s NBL– his first pro destination in 2010 with the Southland Sharks, then in their first season of existence.

Rougeau even flew into Christchurch from the US back then for a NBL pre-season tournament in the city, where he is now based with the Rams. In 2010, he was named to the NBL All Star Five after an impressive first season with the Sharks.

“It’s great to come back to where it all started. New Zealand is forever in my heart,” Rougeau said.

As fate would have it, Rougeau’s first game for the Rams came against his old side, the Sharks, in mid-May.

Between NBL stints, basketball has taken Rougeau around the globe, playing in Mexico, Venezuela, Israel, France, and Finland. He has won seven league titles, two in Mexico and five in Finland’s Korisliiga, as well as a Cup Championship in both France and Finland.

Rougeau spent the past four seasons with the Helsinki Seagulls in Finland and will return in September for one final campaign with them, his last dance as a pro baller.

With Rougeau’s Seagulls team not making the grand final series this season, their first time not featuring since 2021-22, he was available and popped up on the Rams’ radar. Canterbury team-mate Tamenang Choh was also playing in Finland with Kobrat.

Rougeau is very much the elder statesman of the Rams, who sit third with a 14-4 record and two round games left before the finals. Quinn Clinton’s side are aiming for their third NBL title in four seasons.

The California native, who splits time between Sacramento and Rancho Cucamonga (60km from downtown Los Angeles) in the off-season, is 10 years older than the next eldest in the squad, fellow American Todd Withers. Some of the squad’s younger players are more than 20 years his junior.

Rougeau copped some friendly banter from his team-mates, but was always happy to give it back.

“They call me OG [original]. One of them be calling me grandpa, so I have to call him grade school whenever he calls me grandpa. I use it as a badge of honour, to be honest. They respect me and I respect them.”

The Rams targeted Rougeau for his veteran leadership, defensive toughness, and somebody who could provide a bit of everything on both ends of the floor. He has been a scoring threat over his long career, but his calling card has always been his tenacious defence and ability to shut down the opposition’s best scorers.

Rougeau has mostly been used off the bench as a spark plug, but said he was happy to carry out any role for the Rams. Winning basketball games was most important to him. He is averaging 23 minutes a game this season and providing 9.2 points 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per outing.

Rams general manager Caleb Harrison described Rougeau as a shining example for their emerging talent with his work ethic and dedication to his craft.

“You can see why René’s won everywhere he’s been. His whole MO [mode of operating] is just doing whatever the team needs and requires from him.

“He’s also got a youthful joyfulness about him. You can just tell he loves being around the guys, loves being on the basketball court. That young heart has probably done him really well.”

Aside from a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and shin fracture in his right leg in his first season with the Seagulls in 2022, Rougeau has been fortunate with injury.

Looking after his body and focusing on post-game recovery had been important to his career longevity.

“Recovery as you get older is everything. You really have to invest in your body, the same way they say LeBron [James] does with his money. By all means necessary, whatever it takes.”

Rougeau and the Rams are still in the hunt for a top two finish and a home semifinal at their first-year Parakiore venue in central Christchurch. The teams who finish third to sixth compete in the play-in with the losers eliminated.

Canterbury host the second placed Auckland Tuatara in a crunch clash on Sunday, which will likely determine who secures a home semifinal.

If the Rams could finish the season with a title it would be extra poignant for Rougeau, given where his career began.

“I think that would probably be the most special championship for me, to be honest with you. Being able to come win where you got your first start at would be beyond magical.

“We have a great team. I just try to remind the guys, we take it one day at a time. We can’t look too far ahead.”

NBL round 14 weekend games

Saturday, 4pm: Sharks v Hawks at Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Saturday, 7.30pm: Saints v Whai at TSB Arena, Wellington

Sunday, 3pm: Rams v Tuatara at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Christchurch

Sunday, 6pm: Bulls v Airs at Franklin Pool & Leisure Centre, Pukekohe

Standings: Sharks 15-3, Tuatara 14-3, Rams 14-4, Saints 12-5, Nuggets 10-9, Jets 7-11, Whai 6-11, Airs 6-12, Giants 6-13, Bulls 5-12, Hawks 3-15.