Remember that old adage that you can’t return home? Tut Ruach is proving it’s rubbish.

Watching Ruach walk off the court to his autograph session on Monday was like watching an NBA All-Star cut through a pack of fans.  As he left the court, he was surrounded by family, friends and fans giving him hugs, handshakes and fist bumps.

After an illustrious post secondary career at York University, Ruach spent a season playing professional basketball in Germany last year. He had a fantastic rookie season which saw him shoot a sizzling 59% from the floor while averaging 20.5 points, 5.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. He was able to lead his team to the 2011 North Germany State Cup and was named 2nd-Team Division All-Star.

However, when the NBL awarded a franchise to Oshawa, the chance to play close to family and friends was too tough for him to turn down.

For Ruach, being able to play in front of friends and family has made playing the game of basketball more personal and rewarding than when he would play in front of strangers.

“This is the ultimate feeling,” a humble Ruach told HOOPSADDICT.com. “I kind of took it for granted when I played here for University (games) because my family would come to my games all of the time. Then, when I went overseas, nobody that you know watches you play. So when I see my friends and family come out here it is a great feeling and a great support. I’m elated by it.”

While the storybook tale of a hometown kid returning makes for a great read, the reality is when training camp opened Ruach was a long shot at best to make the roster. With four point guards on the roster for training camp – two of which were eventually cut before the season – he was the point guard with the least flashy resume and to many it seemed like he had a slim chance of even cracking the roster.

However, despite some adversity and long odds, Ruach was confident he could establish himself as Oshawa’s starting point guard.

“It’s just something I believed I would be when I went to training camp,” Ruach explained to HOOPSADDICT.com. “When I got there I figured I would be the best guard there. I had a good camp and Coach Strickland likes the way I play and he likes what I bring to the table. Because of that, I became the starting point guard.”

That confidence has allowed him to wrestle the starting point guard role on the team and give him a firm grasp on extended playing time.

Through the first five games of the season, Ruach leads his team in assists (6.8) which also places him first in the NBL. Throw in the fact he’s playing an impressive 32.6 minutes per game and it’s clear he is leaving his mark on this franchise’s inaugural season.

One of the ways he has left his mark on the franchise is by scoring the first points in the history of the franchise.

“When I scored the basket at first it didn’t feel any different, but looking back on it in retrospect it’s something no one can ever take away from me,” Ruach explained. “I’m in the history books for eternity. It’s a great feeling and I’m just happy I can be part of Oshawa Power history.”

As Ruach has become a favourite of his coach, teammates and the local fans, it has become clear that sometimes you can return home.

And, if he continues to play like this through the remainder of the season, Rauch will enjoy the benefit of playing in front of friends and family while leaving an indelible mark on the franchise.

Pretty impressive stuff for the only player on the Oshawa Power’s roster to not play D1 basketball in the United States.