Dech wins Gametime by Kmart award

Adelaide 36ers guard Sunday Dech was recognized at the Andrew Gaze MVP Awards night by claiming the Gametime by Kmart award on Monday night.

Dech has been a role model within the local community since he arrived at the club three years ago through his active participations with charities and students across schools in South Australia.

The 195cm guard said he is honoured to win the Gametime by Kmart award and said his win is a victory for the 36ers’ loyal fanbase, members and supporters.  

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“Our job doesn’t stop on the basketball court, it goes onto the community and for us at Adelaide, we have such a fantastic fanbase all year long,” Dech said on Monday night.

“To go out and give back when they show their support night in, night out, is special for us.”

The NBL’s Gametime by Kmart Award is presented to the player who has made the greatest impact or contribution to schools as part of the Gametime by Kmart program.

Dech committed over 35 hours to support specific causes throughout the season, including supporting Parker’s Fundraiser for a second straight year, where he and captain Mitch McCarron helped Parker Foot on his journey to dribble a basketball for six hours to raise money for Parkinson’s disease.

“Parker is an awesome kid, and me and Macca (McCarron) were privileged enough to be involved in his charity,” Dech said.

“It was great and Scotty gave us a lighter session that day so we could be involved.”

Dech has also been involved with the NBPA’s reading program in which he helped underprivileged individuals improve their reading skills over the phone while also doing tireless work with Ronald McDonald House, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, The Hospital Research Foundation, Make A Wish Foundation and Helping Hoops.

“When my family came to Australia, we were refugees and we were taken in and a lot of my role models were people who gave back to me,” Dech said.

“So it’s only fitting to be in this position to do so, one little thing I can do to impact someone else’s life, that’s what we try to do.

“The club has done a fantastic job in giving us opportunities and so does the NBL, it’s something we are privileged to be involved in.”