Deng Dut is keen to challenge his game at the next level having signed with Keilor Thunder for the National Basketball League 1 South men’s season.
Dut, who returned from college last year, was one of the Thunder’s first new signings under new coach Ash Arnott.
Dut said speaking with Arnott during the process, the Thunder program really caught his eye.
“It’s super exciting to be able to play in the NBL1,” he said. “They’ve got a great club and it’s very exciting.
“The coaching staff and the sense of community and club caught my eye. Ash and I spoke about it during the recruiting process and the planning for the team with what he feels will work for our team.”
Dut said he always had his eye on playing in the NBL1 after he returned from college.
Dut said college was something that he’d always dreamt of and had the opportunity to play at two different colleges.
He spent time at both Wyoming and Southern Utah.
When he came back from America in May, he signed with his junior club, the Collingwood All-Stars in the Big V where he averaged 25.1 points, 11.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists a game.
Dut said it was nice to return to that community and some familiar faces before he took the next step.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the NBL1 after I finished college in America,” he said. “I came back in May and Collingwood was my junior club.
“I was really happy. It was a great group, but it was disappointing that we didn’t make finals.”
The point guard said he felt he was ready for the next challenge, stepping up to play against some of the best basketballers in the country.
“It will be good being able to play against them,” he said. “Some have played in the NBL and some have been in the NBL1 for a number of years.
“It will be a challenge for us and a challenge for me to adjust. I’m looking forward to it.”
Dut is part of a new start for the Thunder men’s team.
There’s a number of new players coming into the side under Arnott, who steps into the role this season.
“We’re trying to put the best team possible and we are successful on and off the court,” Dut said. “We’ve had some good practices to gel together.
“We don’t have everyone yet though. Once we have got everyone together, we’ll hit the court running.”
Dut said it had been exciting so far at training with the group that is there, along with the youth league players.
He said they’d taken the younger players under their guide and they were pushing them at training.
The Thunder is set to play a fast paced running game this season, which Dut is excited for as a player who loves getting down the court in transition
As for the future, Dut is keen to play at the higher level.
“NBL, that is the goal,” he said. “To be able to work my way up.
“Hopefully I’ll have a great season. I’ll just take it day by day.”
