'Basketball is a bonus': Deans details next steps after his health scare

Story by Emily Cooper  The Advocate Newspaper

When Sejr Deans thought about returning home, one of the first people he called was North West Thunder coach Sam Armstrong.
Foregoing his final two years at Jacksonville University, the 21-year-old will instead don the club's orange and black jumper in the NBL1 South.  Likely to take part in the side's round eight Victorian road trip this weekend, Deans said he was "super excited" to be back home and back playing the sport he loves.  "Being away and getting to experience something different was enjoyable and had its challenges," Deans said.  "Everyone thought I was going to stay in the US for another couple of years. I talked to some people here and I felt it was the best decision for myself and my basketball to come home.  The first step was to reach out to Sam and make sure I had somewhere to play."
Deans' two years in the US were not the easiest, with the guard suffering a cardiac arrest on court in 2023.  While he has not played a competitive game since that day some 14 months ago, he felt that he was prepared to make his return.  "My perspective on basketball and life for that matter is very different [since] having a cardiac arrest," he said.  "I'm just happy to be here and the general things - basketball is a bonus for me.  I don't think I'll be nervous, more excited to play - being able to play again is a huge thing for me and I'm looking forward to that."
Deans will step into a Thunder side that has found its rhythm, with the group recording back-to-back wins at the weekend.