Dech’s goal for NBL top gong

Adelaide 36ers star defender Sunday Dech has eyes on holding the Damian Martin Trophy at the end of the NBL25 season.

Dech said he wants to be known as the best defender in the league and has ended any speculation he was leaving the club despite having one more year on his contract.

“When things happened in the (NBL24) season, I got benched there for a couple of games, the NBL rumour mill starts happening,” Dech said.

“I signed a three-year deal with Adelaide, and I was always going to honour that and I can’t wait for this season.”

New club GM of Basketball Operations Matt Weston recently visited Dech in Perth, where he is starring for NBL1 West club East Perth Eagles, and the goal of being in league’s best defender was proposed.

“Matt came over to Perth recently and that was really cool to see how the club now treats their players and I was really excited about that,” Dech said.

“I think I’ve been one of the best defenders in the league for a long time, so why not this year?

“I will set my sights on that. Shea Ili took the award away from the big guys last year and AC (Antonius Cleveland) has won it for us in the past.

“They are guys that I admire and respect, so I want to follow in their footsteps as well the guy I learnt a lot off of in my time in Perth Damian Martin.”

Weston said to have Dech locked in and ready to prove to the league his defensive capabilities is a huge boost for the roster ahead of the NBL25 season.

“He is on contract, there were murmurs when I came into this position, but the record is now straight, he is coming back and he is going to be really good for us, giving that backcourt grunt that we need,” Weston said.

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“He wants to come back and be Defensive Player of the Year, so he’s locked in.’

Dech knows there are ‘no nights off’ in the NBL and is ready to lock down the best perimeter player in each team.

“The league keeps getting better and better and if we are a great defensive team that becomes a lot easier on that side of the ball,” Dech said.

“We can have toughness on the perimeter, and we have got great rim protection with Isaac (Humphries) there.”