Launceston basketball prodigy Sejr Deans will be taking another bound in his career, joining the North-West Thunder for the upcoming NBL1 season.
He said joining the side was a big deal and he was extremely excited.
"It's by far the highest level of competition that you can be a part of in Tasmania so I can't wait," he said.
"I think it'll just be good to train at such a high level and train with guys like Mason Bragg and Taran Armstrong who are already at a high level.
"I'm keen to get better from doing that ... playing against that level will allow me to become a better player."
Deans has represented two Australian FIBA teenage teams and was named the Launceston Basketball Association MVP in 2020.
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He will turn 18 in February, admitting there was still plenty he had yet to experience from that higher echelon of the sport.
"The team environment as well is a bit different because it's semi-professional - it's different to what we have here in Launceston," Deans said.
Developing physically as an athlete was Deans' primary focus.
"I've been hitting the gym lots ... coming into this season I've also been working on my shot and trying to get that to another level because that's something guards need to get to that next stage," he said.
Deans was initially meant to play for the Thunder in 2020, however a conflict between the side and his North-West Basketball Union team Wynyard prevented that.
He said an agreement had been reached to allow him to play for both the Thunder and the Wildcats this season.
"It's a good feeling ... obviously it makes it tough to go down and play NWBU with school on but I'm super excited to suit-up and train with the boys [Thunder] this year," Deans said.
This leaves the Launceston College student with a stacked basketball schedule this year.
Deans said he'll play with Wynyard twice during the week, train twice with the Thunder before playing for them on the weekend.
"It's pretty inconvenient for me, I'm 17 and I've still got to focus on school and things but I guess it's in their best interests to have all the Thunder guys playing so that's what I have to do," he said.
"[I] should be alright... I've got a lot of good people around me who help me with my schedule and when I need to recover or amp it up a bit more. I think I should be fine."
Deans will be joining fellow Launceston basketballers Harry Flint, Tom Foster and Ben Jessup in playing for the Thunder this season.
Harry Murtough
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
