Australia's latest NBA export Tyrese Proctor has backed the NRL's expansion to the US and expressed confidence it won't be long before his new Cleveland Cavaliers teammates are rugby league fans.
Proctor grew up a passionate Cronulla Sharks fan before moving to America to play for college powerhouse Duke.
The 21-year-old was selected by the Cavaliers in last month's draft as he looks to join the likes of Josh Giddey and Dante Exum as NBA stars.
Proctor was in Vegas during the NRL's season-launch earlier this year and has seen US sports fans embrace the physicality and skill of rugby league.
Nicholas Hynes Try
While he is unable to watch every Sharks game, the emerging talent makes sure to tune into State of Origin every year and introduced many of his Duke teammates to the interstate series.
"I was coming to Sharks games as much as I could growing up," Proctor said. "My uncle had season tickets so my cousins were always at games.
"If the game keeps growing and hopefully it goes international to America, fans are going to travel. So it definitely can grow in the States."
Proctor has returned home for a brief stop in Australia before he returns to the States to continue preparations for his rookie season.
The Bangor product attended Sharks training on Thursday and had the chance to interact with the team's stars. He will also be at Cronulla's clash with North Queensland on Sunday afternoon.
The Sharks spent nearly two weeks in the US prior to their Round 1 clash with Penrith at Allegiant Stadium and saw firsthand the work being done to engage new fans in America.
The NRL will return to Las Vegas in 2026, with the Bulldogs to play the Dragons and Cowboys to face the Knights. Demand in Australia and abroad continues to grow and another record crowd is expected for the season opener.
It's on again!
Halfback Nicho Hynes said US sporting stars have a unique ability to connect directly with fans and backed Proctor to help grow the game in Cleveland and beyond.
"We've only played in Vegas so Cleveland is hopefully a new opportunity," Hynes said. "The more you see rugby league getting played over there, the more people will know about our sport.
"We saw a Sharks hat in a video [being worn] by a young up and coming NFL player. Somehow he got the hat so the Sharks name is slowly getting out there."
Katy Perry joins Sharks family after meeting Nicho and Kayal
Cronulla have won three in a row, however they enter Sunday's clash with the Cowboys on the back of an underwhelming attacking performance last weekend.
There has been plenty of criticism of the Sharks attack after a gritty 14-12 win over an undermanned South Sydney side.
While thrilled to secure a win, Cronulla are desperate to find their attacking rhythm as they look to launch a top-four assault.
The Sharks currently sit seventh, four points behind the fourth-placed Warriors with six rounds to play.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Sharks
7th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Cronulla have a favourable draw leading into the finals, with games against the Titans, Dragons and Knights and their fate is in their own hands.
North Queensland kept their slim finals hopes alive with a win over St George Illawarra last week and they need another victory to keep in touch with the eight.
Hynes said the Sharks are ready for a hard-fought contest on Sunday afternoon and hopes his side can come away with a win on Old Boys Day.
"We set our goal at the beginning of the season of top four," Hynes said. "I feel like we are a top-four team at our best. That's always in our sights but we aren't looking further than the Cowboys this weekend.
"They're playing for their season. They're going to be hungry and come down here with a bit of revenge energy after we beat them up there earlier in the year. It's going to be a really good contest. I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully the Sharks fans can turn up for us."
