After being in the works for a while, Deans announced his widely-expected US college commitment ahead of the NBL season getting underway in December.

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The 18-year-old will contest the NBL season with the Tasmania JackJumpers before packing his bags to move to Jacksonville University's division 1 NCCA men's basketball program in Florida.

"It's a bit of a relief to get it done, once you're done and signed you don't really have to worry about it so pretty relieved and pretty excited," he said.

"It sort of means I can just focus on being here every day and being present and just getting better everyday.

"It's pretty nerve-wracking moving away from home and not knowing anybody but you build relationships there just like anywhere else, it should be a good experience."

The Dolphins signed the highly-regarded Jordan Mincy as head coach of their men's program earlier this year on the back of Mincy's burgeoning reputation as an assistant which saw him put in ESPN's 40-under-40 top coaches in 2020.

Despite offers to go elsewhere, Mincy proved to be the major pull to get Deans over the line for the Dolphins.

"There's a really good young head coach he used to coach the Florida Gators so that was a big part of it, obviously it's a really good location with a good basketball program as well," Deans said.

"I'll do my year with the JackJumpers development role which has been really good before heading to college and hopefully continue to develop over there."

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Deans' former mentor Brett Smith believes the year with the JackJumpers will set the former City Rockets talent up for success with his future endeavours.

"The experience he's getting now will put him in such a great position when he gets to college ... the professional and the weights program and where the NBL is at, he's going to be way ahead of other first and second players with his preparation," he said.

"I think he has chosen well ... it's just going to give him a flying start, he'll be playing like a third year player in first year."

Smith had full confidence that his former star baller had what it takes to make a successful transition into college and the professional level in the coming years.

"He'll be an outstanding professional basketballer for many years, there's plenty of professional contracts around Australia and Europe," he said.

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