Babies, Bearcats and Bryce

2025 has already been big for Keanu Rasmussen.

In his second season as a development player with the Adelaide 36ers he played 19 games including a final, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game in 10.6 minutes on the court.

It came on the back of an impressive campaign playing with the Hawkes Bay Hawks in the NZNBL, where he was nominated for the 2024 NZNBL Youth Player of the Year.

But despite a hectic time on the court, Rasmussen didn’t slow down. In fact, if anything, he’s become busier and is working harder than ever this NBL off-season.

Part of that is due to his commitments with the West Adelaide Bearcats in NBL1. Part of it is due to the arrival of his first child Laika James Rasmussen in April.

“It's been awesome,” Rasmussen said of his off-season. “Obviously we had the baby and then playing back home in SA. 

“It's always good to play here in front of family and I think we're kind of hitting our stride now as a team and can make a good push for finals with our whole team in so that's good.

“But really I just keep working on my game, getting ready for the NBL season.”

Laika’s arrival has been life-changing for Rasmussen, still 22 and looking to forge his way in the basketball world.

Fortunately, he says Laika sleeps well and has been an “easy baby” so far.

“It's a huge change, like it's a life changing thing but it’s the best - it's kind of changed my whole perspective on life,” Rasmussen explained.

“I guess I'm still trying to make my career possible but when I'm away from that, I've got a balance. I come back to the family, and it takes my mind off it, whether I have a good game or a bad game.

“My partner's been great as well. She's been supportive of me and my basketball and knows that I need to do what I need to do.

“It's just that when I come back home, I’ve got to be present and help out as much as I can.”

While the off-court is taking shape, on-court Rasmussen has been ever present with the Bearcats, averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game.

As well as hoping to guide the side to the finals, he has set himself to add more defensive strength and versatility to his game.

“I sat down with (coach) Mike (Wells) and (GM of Basketball Operations) Matt (Weston) at the end of last season and the biggest thing for this off-season was to develop at the point guard role,” Rasmussen explained.

“They basically challenged me to play there more, work on making the right decisions about when to go and when not to.

“It's been good this off-season because I've been able to have the ball in my hands a lot and develop that position and then work on my defence as well.

“I’ve made it a huge part of this off-season to try get up and press full court and pick up their best guys so it’s those two things I can hopefully bring over to the NBL this season.”

And as he continues to develop, Rasmussen could do worse than to lean on and learn from new teammate Bryce Cotton.

“I think this season will be big to learn off the guys that we have around and hopefully get out there a bit more and play some more minutes,” he said.

“I'm still trying to work to establish myself in the league and I think I can take a big step towards that this season, and we've got the right people around to learn off.

“I just want to explore their journeys, how they've got to where they are, so I think it's perfect to do it this season.”

Rasmussen and his 36ers teammates will return for pre-season training next month.