# Sunday Dech

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**Sunday Dech** (born 1 January 1994) is a South Sudanese-Australian professional [basketball](/source/Basketball) player who last played for the [Perth Wildcats](/source/Perth_Wildcats) of the [National Basketball League](/source/National_Basketball_League_(Australia)) (NBL). He is a two-time [NBL champion](/source/List_of_NBL_champions) with the Perth Wildcats, having won in [2014](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_NBL_season) and [2019](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_NBL_season). Dech played [NCAA Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) [college basketball](/source/College_basketball) for the [Metro State Roadrunners](/source/Metro_State_Roadrunners_men's_basketball) and [Barry Buccaneers](/source/Barry_Buccaneers). He spent a season with the [Illawarra Hawks](/source/Illawarra_Hawks) in 2019–20 before playing five seasons for the [Adelaide 36ers](/source/Adelaide_36ers) between 2020 and 2025.

## Early life

Dech was born in [Gambela](/source/Gambela,_Ethiopia), Ethiopia,[1][2] as one of seven children to South Sudanese parents Abraham Dech and Aret Ochala.[3][4][5] His family are members of the [Anuak](/source/Anuak_people) tribe.[6] Dech moved from Gambela to [Perth, Western Australia](/source/Perth,_Western_Australia), at the age of six when his father was able to secure immigration forms for his family.[6][7] He participated in a variety of sports growing up – including [Australian rules football](/source/Australian_rules_football), [soccer](/source/Soccer) and [skateboarding](/source/Skateboarding) – that he credits as helping him to acclimatise to Australian life.[8] Dech began playing [basketball](/source/Basketball) at the age of 16[8] at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.[9] He attended [Churchlands Senior High School](/source/Churchlands_Senior_High_School) and graduated in 2012.[5]

## Basketball career

### Early years

Dech debuted in the [State Basketball League](/source/State_Basketball_League) (SBL) with the [East Perth Eagles](/source/East_Perth_Eagles) in [2013](/source/2013_State_Basketball_League_season). For the [2013–14 NBL season](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_NBL_season), he joined the [Perth Wildcats](/source/Perth_Wildcats) as a development player and was a member of the championship-winning team in April 2014. That year, he was named the [SBL's Most Improved Player](/source/State_Basketball_League_Most_Improved_Player_Award)[10] and helped the Eagles win the [championship](/source/List_of_NBL1_West_champions) for the [2014 SBL season](/source/2014_State_Basketball_League_season). He then continued on with the Wildcats as a development player in [2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_NBL_season) before playing a third season with East Perth in [2015](/source/2015_State_Basketball_League_season).[11]

### College

The 2015–16 season saw Dech [redshirt](/source/Redshirt_(college_sports)) with the [Metro State Roadrunners](/source/Metro_State_Roadrunners_men's_basketball). He returned to the Eagles for the [2016 season](/source/2016_State_Basketball_League_season) and then made his college debut with the Roadrunners in the 2016–17 season. In 28 games for the Roadrunners, he averaged 13.0 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game.[12] Dech transferred to [Barry University](/source/Barry_University) and joined the [Buccaneers](/source/Barry_Buccaneers) for the 2017–18 season to play his final season of eligibility. In 32 games, he averaged 13.3 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game. He earned [SSC](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference) All-Newcomer Team honours and was named in the SSC All-Tournament Team.[5]

### Professional

Following the 2017–18 U.S. college season, Dech returned to Australia to train with the [Cairns Taipans](/source/Cairns_Taipans) and [Brisbane Bullets](/source/Brisbane_Bullets).[4] After a three-game stint with the [Rockingham Flames](/source/Rockingham_Flames) at the back-end of the [2018 SBL season](/source/2018_State_Basketball_League_season),[13] Dech re-joined the Perth Wildcats for the [2018–19 NBL season](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_NBL_season) as a training player.[14] He was later designated as Perth's nominated replacement player and filled in for the injured [Damian Martin](/source/Damian_Martin) and [Mitch Norton](/source/Mitch_Norton) throughout the season.[4][15] In March 2019, he was crowned a champion for the second time when the Wildcats defeated [Melbourne United](/source/Melbourne_United) in the [2019 NBL Finals](/source/2019_NBL_Finals). Dech was subsequently awarded the Coaches' Award by head coach [Trevor Gleeson](/source/Trevor_Gleeson).[16][17] He went on to play in New Zealand during the off-season, where he helped the [Wellington Saints](/source/Wellington_Saints) win the [NZNBL championship](/source/List_of_New_Zealand_NBL_champions).[18]

On 9 April 2019, Dech signed a two-year deal with the [Illawarra Hawks](/source/Illawarra_Hawks) after being highly sought after as a free agent.[16] The [2019–20 NBL season](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_NBL_season) saw Dech earn nominations for both the league's [Most Improved Player](/source/NBL_Most_Improved_Player_Award) and [Best Defensive Player](/source/NBL_Best_Defensive_Player_Award).[19] His remaining contract with the Hawks was voided when the club was liquidated on 18 May 2020.[20]

Dech initially signed with the [Southland Sharks](/source/Southland_Sharks) before they withdrew prior to the start of the [2020 New Zealand NBL season](/source/2020_New_Zealand_NBL_season).[19][21][22]

On 22 July 2020, Dech signed a three-year deal with the [Adelaide 36ers](/source/Adelaide_36ers).[7] He built a reputation as one of the league's standout defenders during the [2020–21 NBL season](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_NBL_season).[23] Following his first season with the 36ers, Dech played for the [North Adelaide Rockets](/source/North_Adelaide_Rockets) of [NBL1 Central](/source/NBL1_Central) during the [2021 NBL1 season](/source/2021_NBL1_season).[24] He helped the Rockets win the [NBL1 Central championship](/source/List_of_NBL1_Central_champions) while earning grand final MVP honours.[25]

Dech missed the start of the [2021–22 NBL season](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_NBL_season) with a [hematoma](/source/Hematoma) of his quad.[23] For the season, he averaged 12.3 points, 2.43 assists, and 4.26 rebounds per game.[26]

Dech joined the [Canterbury Rams](/source/Canterbury_Rams) for the [2022 New Zealand NBL season](/source/2022_New_Zealand_NBL_season).[27] Dech made his debut for the team on 8 May 2022 against the [Auckland Tuatara](/source/Auckland_Tuatara_(basketball)).[28] On 21 May 2022, Dech scored an NZNBL individual season-high 35 points in a loss to the Nelson Giants.[29]

On 29 April 2022, Dech signed a three-year contract extension with the 36ers.[26] He was selected as a member of the 36ers' leadership group alongside teammates [Mitch McCarron](/source/Mitch_McCarron), [Daniel Johnson](/source/Daniel_Johnson_(basketball)) and [Robert Franks](/source/Robert_Franks_(basketball)) for the 2022–23 season.[30] Following the [2023–24 NBL season](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_NBL_season), he joined the [East Perth Eagles](/source/East_Perth_Eagles) of the [NBL1 West](/source/NBL1_West) for the [2024 season](/source/2024_NBL1_West_season).[31] On 31 May, he recorded a [triple-double](/source/Triple-double) with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the Eagles' 90–78 win over the [Perth Redbacks](/source/Perth_Redbacks).[32][33]

Dech missed seven games during the [2024–25 NBL season](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_NBL_season) due to a hamstring injury.[34]

Dech joined the [Knox Raiders](/source/Knox_Raiders) of the [NBL1 South](/source/NBL1_South) for the [2025 season](/source/2025_NBL1_season).[35][36] He was named [NBL1 South Defensive Player of the Year](/source/NBL1_South_Awards).[37]

On 22 April 2025, Dech signed a three-year deal with the Perth Wildcats, returning to the club for a third stint.[38] A calf injury prevented Dech from playing throughout the pre-season and he was subsequently ruled out of the [2025–26 season](/source/2025%E2%80%9326_NBL_season) opener.[39] On 14 April 2026, Dech and the Wildcats agreed to mutually part ways.[40]

### National team

In 2022, Dech was selected to play for the [South Sudanese national team](/source/South_Sudan_men's_national_basketball_team) in the [FIBA World Cup Qualifiers](/source/2023_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup_qualification_(Africa)).[41]

Dech was named in South Sudan's final roster for the [2024 Olympics](/source/Basketball_at_the_2024_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men's_tournament).[42]

## Personal life

Dech's younger brother, Okummu, played for the [South West Slammers](/source/South_West_Slammers) in the NBL1 West in 2023.[43]

## References

1. ["Adelaide 36ers Sign Sunday Dech"](https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/adelaide-36ers-sign-sunday-dech). *Adelaide 36ers*. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.

1. ["Sunday Dech"](https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/sundaydech). *Southland Sharks*. Retrieved 31 October 2020.

1. Jimma, Natal & Huntsdale, Justin (14 February 2020). ["Australian basketball diversifies as 'tsunami' of African players hits NBL"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-14/the-growth-of-african-players-in-professional-basketball/11963060). *ABC*. Retrieved 14 July 2020.

1. O'Donoghue, Craig (2 March 2019). ["Sunday Dech stepping up in Perth Wildcats' title push"](https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/sunday-dech-stepping-up-in-perth-wildcats-title-push-ng-b881122385z). *thewest.com.au*. Retrieved 18 February 2020.

1. ["Sunday Dech Bio"](https://gobarrybucs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2509). Barry University. Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. Spreadborough, Joel (28 May 2021). ["How connection to culture helps NBL stars 'light fire within'"](https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sport/article/2021/05/28/how-connection-culture-helps-nbl-stars-light-fire-within). *SBS*. Retrieved 13 June 2021.

1. ["Sixers Land Sunday Dech"](https://nbl.com.au/news/sixers-land-sunday-dech). *NBL.com.au*. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.

1. ["Sunday Dech"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210108194127/https://www.panfc.org/sunday-dech/). *Perth African Nations Sports Association*. Archived from [the original](https://www.panfc.org/sunday-dech/) on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.

1. Thomas, Amber (6 September 2025). ["Sunday Dech found home with the Eagles"](https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/sunday-dech-found-home-with-the-eagles). *Wildcats.com.au*. Retrieved 6 September 2025.

1. ["2014 Basketball WA Award Winners"](https://basketballwa.asn.au/blog/2014/09/09/2014-basketball-wa-award-winners/). Basketball Western Australia. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. ["Sunday Dech - Player Statistics SBL"](https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=205149958&client=0-5011-83386-357507-23096622). *GameDay*. Retrieved 22 April 2025.

1. ["Sunday Dech Bio"](https://roadrunnersathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2539). Metropolitan State University of Denver Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. Horton, Stuart (24 July 2018). ["Rockingham Flames secure SBL play-off spot"](https://thewest.com.au/news/sound-southern-telegraph/rockingham-flames-secure-sbl-play-off-spot-ng-b88904821z). The West Australian. Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. ["Young guns to get their chance at pre-season games"](http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/young-guns-to-get-their-chance-at-pre-season-games). *Perth Wildcats*. Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. O'Donoghue, Craig (3 November 2018). ["Perth Wildcats look for lift without inspirational skipper Damian Martin against New Zealand"](https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/perth-wildcats-look-for-lift-without-inspirational-skipper-damian-martin-against-new-zealand-ng-b881010334z). The West Australian. Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. ["Illawarra Sign Sunday Dech for NBL20"](https://nbl.com.au/news/article/illawarra-sign-sunday-dech-for-nbl20). *NBL*. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. Perth Wildcats (6 April 2019). ["Sunday Dech has been awarded the Coaches' Award..."](https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1114484822699720704). *twitter.com*. Retrieved 22 July 2020.

1. ["Saints Heavily Favoured To Win 2019 Sal’s NBL Title"](https://nznbl.basketball/saints-heavily-favoured-to-win-2019-sals-nbl-title/). *nznbl.basketball*. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2025.

1. ["Southland Sharks' ready for Sunday best in 2020 National Basketball League"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/119604998/southland-sharks-ready-for-sunday-best-in-2020-national-basketball-league). *stuff.co.nz*. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.

1. Hope, Shayne (18 May 2020). ["NBL's Hawks liquidated amid huge debt"](https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6761056/nbls-hawks-liquidated-amid-huge-debt/). *Illawarra Mercury*. Retrieved 15 July 2020.

1. Jeffrey, Nick (18 February 2020). ["Sunday best! Dech signs with Sharks"](https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/2020/02/18/Sunday-best-Dech-signs-with-Sharks). *Sharks Basketball*. Retrieved 18 February 2020.

1. ["2020 Update - Sharks confirm NBL plans"](https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/2020/05/16/2020-Update---Sharks-confirm-NBL-plans). *Southland Sharks*. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.

1. Pike, Chris (17 January 2022). ["Cotton, Wildcats Ideal Return Challenge for Sunday Dech"](https://nbl.com.au/news/cotton-wildcats-ideal-return-challenge-for-sunday-dech). *NBL.com.au*. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

1. ["Rockets set to launch with signings of star 36ers duo"](https://nbl1.com.au/news/rockets-set-to-launch-with-signings-of-star-36ers-duo/). *NBL1.com.au*. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.

1. ["Rocket-Men fly to first since 2007"](https://nbl1.com.au/news/rocket-men-fly-to-first-since-2007/central/). *NBL1.com.au*. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

1. ["Sixers Sign Sunday Dech to Extension"](https://nbl.com.au/news/sixers-sign-sunday-dech-to-extension). *NBL.com.au*. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

1. ["Rams Secure Sunday Dech"](https://canterburyrams.basketball/rams-secure-sunday-dech/). *Canterbury Rams*. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.

1. ["NZNBL: New Zealand National Basketball League"](https://men.nznbl.basketball/game-recap-rams-tuatara/). Retrieved 2022-06-20.

1. ["NZNBL: New Zealand National Basketball League"](https://men.nznbl.basketball/game-recap-giants-stand-tall-to-take-down-rams/). Retrieved 2022-06-20.

1. ["Four-man leadership group announced"](https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/four-man-leadership-group-announced). *Adelaide 36ers*. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.

1. ["Sunday Dech returns home to join East Perth in 2024"](https://eastpertheagles.nbl1.com.au/news/sunday-returns-home-to-eagles). *NBL1.com.au*. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.

1. ["East Perth vs Perth"](https://nbl1.com.au/games/3cf976d8-8f80-11ee-b233-577e4021e131/west). *NBL1.com.au*. 31 May 2024. [Archived](https://archive.today/20240531153641/https://nbl1.com.au/games/3cf976d8-8f80-11ee-b233-577e4021e131/west) 31 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Pike, Chris (1 June 2024). ["Recap NBL1 West | Heritage Round Friday"](https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-heritage-round-friday). *NBL1.com.au*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240611102734/https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-heritage-round-friday) 11 June 2024 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Dech says 'full team' is building"](https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/dech-says-full-team-is-building). *Adelaide 36ers Official Website*. 17 January 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.

1. ["Knox Raiders – NBL1 Player Signing"](https://www.facebook.com/KnoxRaiders/posts/pfbid021oxoL9n5ptkuJu6yxmvozE8FQrEQct17QwRijS4oBYnempMHxuv3Svn5kfLBbfqCl). *facebook.com/KnoxRaiders*. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.

1. Hersz, Tom (5 May 2025). ["Why Sunday Dech landed in Knox"](https://nbl1.com.au/news/why-sunday-dech-landed-in-knox). *nbl1.com.au*. Retrieved 5 May 2025.

1. ["Stars Shine Bright at the NBL1 South 2025 Awards Night"](https://nbl1.com.au/news/stars-shine-bright-at-the-nbl1-south-2025-awards-night). *nbl1.com.au*. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.

1. ["Two-time NBL champion returns home to Wildcats"](https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/two-time-nbl-champion-returns-home-to-wildcats). *Perth Wildcats*. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.

1. O'Donoghue, Craig (19 September 2025). ["Sunday Dech ruled out of Perth Wildcats clash with Tasmania JackJumpers as they face ace scorer Bryce Hamilton"](https://archive.today/20250919061257/https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/sunday-dech-ruled-out-of-perth-wildcats-clash-with-tasmania-jackjumpers-as-they-face-ace-scorer-bryce-hamilton-c-20073994). *The West Australian*. Archived from [the original](https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/sunday-dech-ruled-out-of-perth-wildcats-clash-with-tasmania-jackjumpers-as-they-face-ace-scorer-bryce-hamilton-c-20073994) on 19 September 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.

1. ["The Perth Wildcats and Sunday Dech have agreed to mutually part ways."](https://www.facebook.com/wildcats/posts/pfbid02Ds2oSbXMJLYxr1rjE6LEH9sLAUaA6ZaGZYGeJmkqZznfoTtRvxm19UuhLnFqatCl). *facebook.com/wildcats*. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.

1. ["NBL Stars to Represent USA, South Sudan and New Zealand"](https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-stars-to-represent-usa-south-sudan-and-new-zealand). *NBL.com.au*. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.

1. ["South Sudanese NBL stars to make history"](https://nbl.com.au/news/south-sudanese-nbl-stars-to-make-history). *NBL.com.au*. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.

1. ["Goff excited by new arrivals"](https://archive.today/20250403002701/https://www.swtimes.com.au/news/south-western-times/nbl1-west-2023-goff-excited-by-new-arrivals-as-slammers-gear-up-for-new-season-c-10119556). *South Western Times*. 22 March 2023. Archived from [the original](https://www.swtimes.com.au/news/south-western-times/nbl1-west-2023-goff-excited-by-new-arrivals-as-slammers-gear-up-for-new-season-c-10119556) on 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.

## External links

- [NBL profile](https://nbl.com.au/player/3682/30035/sunday-dech)
- [NBL1 profile](https://nbl1.com.au/player-listing/sunday-dech)
- ["A Sunday state of mind"](https://nbl.com.au/news/a-sunday-state-of-mind) at nbl.com.au

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sunday Dech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_Dech) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_Dech?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.