NICKNAME/S: Icecream

BIO: Dech was born in Gambela, Ethiopia and moved to Perth, Western Australia, at the age of six when his father was able to secure immigration forms for his family.

Dech began playing basketball at the age of 16 with the East Perth Eagles. He also attended Churchlands Senior High School.

FAMILY: Dech was born in Gambela, Ethiopia as one of seven children to South Sudanese parents Abraham Dech and Aret Ochala. His family are members of the Anuak tribe.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Sunday Dech made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 20 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

For the 2013/14 NBL season, he joined the Perth Wildcats as a development player won a championship in his first season.

2014/15
Dech returned to the Wildcat’s as a development player in 2014/15 before heading to the USA to play college basketball.

2018/19
After completing his college career, Sunday Dech returned to Australia and trialed with both the Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets, but he was unable to secure an NBL contract. Determined to stay in shape and ready for an opportunity, he returned to Perth and attended Wildcats training sessions.

During the off-season, Perth made significant roster changes, re-signing star Bryce Cotton on a three-year deal and adding key players Nick Kay and Mitch Norton (both from Illawarra), former Wildcats big man Tom Jervis (via Brisbane), and new import Terrico White (via Turkey). These moves led to the departures of Lucas Walker, Jarrod Kenny, and Dexter Kernich-Drew, who all signed with Cairns.

The Wildcats traveled to the United States for two pre-season games against NBA teams Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets. Although they were handed a heavy (130–72) loss by the Jazz, Coach Trevor Gleeson described the experience as a turning point for the season. The Wildcats improved in their second game, narrowly losing to the Nuggets (96–88), and gained valuable experience that carried into the NBL season.

Perth started the season on fire with a 10-1 record. However, their momentum was interrupted when captain Damian Martin (5.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals) suffered a right calf tear, sidelining him for six games. Adding to their woes, Angus Brandt (8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) missed three games in November after sustaining an ankle injury while playing for the Australian Boomers. As a result, the Wildcats lost eight of their next ten games, bringing their record to 12-9 by mid-January.

During this rough patch, Dech was elevated into the Wildcats’ roster as an injury replacement player, initially stepping in for Martin and later for Mitch Norton when he was injured. Dech’s versatility and readiness to contribute earned him valuable court time during this period.

The Wildcats finished the regular season in first place with an 18-10 record, securing the top spot on the NBL ladder. In the semi-finals, Perth defeated Brisbane, with Dech seeing 3 minutes of action in Game 2, where he added 2 points and 1 rebound.

Perth then faced reigning champions Melbourne United in the Grand Final series, winning in four games to secure the championship. Although Dech did not see any court time during the Grand Final, he earned his second NBL title as part of the championship-winning squad.

At the end of the season, Dech was recognised for his contributions and dedication by receiving the Coaches’ Award from head coach Trevor Gleeson, marking a rewarding year for the up-and-coming guard.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2018/19
On 9 April 2019, Dech signed a two-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks after being highly sought after as a free agent. The 2019/20 NBL season saw Dech average 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists and earn nominations for both the League Most Improved Player and Best Defensive Player. His remaining contract with the Hawks was voided when the club was liquidated on 18 May 2020.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2019/20
Longtime head coach Joey Wright parted ways with the 36ers at the end of the 2019/20 season, despite still having time left on his contract. His departure was overshadowed by allegations of abuse and bullying from players, along with other off-court issues. Adelaide moved quickly, appointing former Perth assistant Conner Henry as their new head coach.

The 36ers began their off-season with Jack McVeigh, Obi Kyei, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon, and Alex Mudronja already contracted. On 12 March 2020, they added exciting young talent Josh Giddey, who had recently become the youngest Australian to debut for the Boomers since Ben Simmons, signing him under the NBL’s Next Stars program.

The lingering issues from the previous season saw co-captain Kevin White request and be granted a release on 15 April 2020. Shortly after, Harry Froling left to join the Brisbane Bullets, and Obi Kyei also departed, opting to focus on his clothing business.

Adelaide reshaped their frontcourt with a series of key signings. They extended five-time club MVP Daniel Johnson to a new three-year deal on 6 May 2020. Former NBL Rookie of the Year Isaac Humphries, fresh off a stint in the NBA, joined on a two-year contract, and Keanu Pinder, returning from Europe, signed a one-year deal.

On 22 July 2020, the 36ers added Sunday Dech on a three-year deal, followed by import guard Donald Sloan and veteran forward Tony Crocker, rounding out their roster for the season.

In their season opener, Adelaide opted for a youthful starting lineup featuring Giddey (18 years old) and Humphries (23 years old) against Melbourne United. However, the team suffered a heavy loss (65-89), prompting coach Henry to bring in more experience for their next game. Sloan replaced Giddey at the point, and Pinder swapped with Humphries in the lineup, resulting in a much-needed 116-108 win over South East Melbourne. Humphries was named NBL Player of the Week after recording 25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks off the bench.

The win was marred by a scary moment when Josh Giddey fell on his head after a dunk attempt, leading to him missing the next game. In Adelaide’s third outing of the season, Sloan returned to the starting lineup, but after a loss to South East Melbourne, Giddey resumed his starting role for the remainder of the season. Sloan recorded a season-high 20 points off the bench in the following game but, unhappy with a bench role, he was granted a mutual release. Sunday Dech was elevated into the starting lineup, and Jeremy Kendle was signed as an interim replacement.

Adelaide began the season with promise, posting a 4-2 record. However, the NBL Cup—a “bubble” tournament in Melbourne introduced due to COVID-19—derailed their momentum. The team struggled during the tournament, falling from third on the ladder to seventh by its conclusion. Although the 36ers replaced Kendle with former NBA player Brandon Paul, an injury to Humphries sidelined him for the rest of the season, further compounding the team’s issues.

Despite the team’s struggles, Daniel Johnson (19.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) continued to excel, leading the team in scoring and setting career-high numbers. He was named co-MVP of the team alongside Josh Giddey (10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists), who led the league in assists and was awarded the NBL Rookie of the Year.

Sunday Dech also made solid contributions, averaging 8.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over the season. However, Adelaide’s inconsistent form saw them finish with a disappointing 13-23 record, placing seventh overall.

2021/22
Adelaide started the 2021/22 season by making several key additions to their roster, including Mitch McCarron (via Melbourne), Filipino NBA prospect Kai Sotto, and Cairns’ backup guard duo Tad Dufelmeier and Mojave King. King had left the Taipans, feeling that his lack of playing time was hindering his NBA chances. Imports Dusty Hannahs and Todd Withers were also signed to complete the core roster. In a surprise move, Adelaide parted ways with head coach Conner Henry, despite a year remaining on his contract. CJ Bruton, who had narrowly missed out on the Brisbane Bullets head coaching role to James Duncan, was signed as his replacement, taking over just weeks before the opening game.

With the team nearly complete, Bruton added Hyrum Harris (also from Cairns) and Cam Bairstow, who had struggled with injuries in recent seasons and had received no other offers from NBL teams. Bruton, having worked with Bairstow in Brisbane, convinced the veteran big man to join Adelaide in hopes of revitalising his career.

Mitch McCarron (7.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.9 steals) was named the new captain and positioned as the team’s franchise player. Adelaide had a rough start to the season, losing to Perth (85–73) and Illawarra (71–81) in the first round. However, they rebounded in round two with wins over Tasmania (83-80) and New Zealand (98–85), briefly reaching sixth place (2-2) on the ladder—their highest ranking for the season and the only round in which they did not have a losing record.

The following round, Adelaide lost big man Isaac Humphries (7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds in 17.7 minutes) to a season-ending knee injury after just six games. Without Humphries, a rejuvenated Cam Bairstow (11.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) stepped up and delivered the best season of his NBL career before a late-season ankle injury brought his campaign, and ultimately his NBL career, to an end.

With a month left in the season, Adelaide (7-17) had no chance of making the playoffs. Imports Dusty Hannahs (13.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) and Todd Withers (8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) underperformed, but Adelaide managed to close out the season with some fight. They came close to securing four consecutive away wins but narrowly lost to South East Melbourne (91-94) and finished seventh (10-18) for the third straight year.

Daniel Johnson (16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) once again led the team in scoring and won his second consecutive Mark Davis Award as Adelaide’s MVP. Bright spots included Hyrum Harris (4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists), who was voted the club’s Most Improved Player, and Sunday Dech (12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), who became a reliable contributor in his second year with the 36ers.

Dech’s strong performance (12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) came in a season overshadowed by injuries to key players, including Bairstow and Humphries, who both missed significant portions of the season. This, combined with underwhelming production from imports Hannahs and Withers, contributed to another disappointing finish for the 36ers.

2022/23
After a challenging NBL22 season where Adelaide struggled to find a cohesive core and injuries ravaged their frontcourt, head coach CJ Bruton entered the 2022/23 campaign optimistic about what could be achieved with a full offseason of preparation. The 36ers retained key players such as captain Mitch McCarron, Anthony Drmic, Daniel Johnson, Sunday Dech, Hyrum Harris, and Kai Sotto, forming the foundation of their roster.

Adelaide made significant moves during the off-season, signing proven NBL imports Antonius Cleveland (from Illawarra) and Robert Franks (from Brisbane) to multi-year deals. They also brought in G-League standout Craig Randall II (Long Island Nets) to boost their offensive firepower.

The 36ers began their season with a bang, securing a historic preseason win over the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, becoming the first overseas team to beat an NBA franchise since Fenerbahce’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets in 2015. They followed up with a strong performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

However, things quickly fell apart.

Upon returning to Australia, Adelaide, viewed as championship contenders, stumbled to a 3-4 record in their first month of the season. During this time, Craig Randall II, who was leading the team in scoring (20.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals), had several on-court verbal altercations with coach Bruton. After expressing dissatisfaction with being benched during a game, Randall was released just six games into the season.

Imports Robert Franks (17.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) and Antonius Cleveland (15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals) tried to keep the team afloat, while Daniel Johnson (11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) recorded his lowest-scoring season in almost a decade. Adelaide struggled through the remainder of the season, losing six of their final eight games and missing out on the Play-In tournament.

Mitch McCarron (7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals) and Anthony Drmic (10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals) provided solid contributions, while NBL Next Star Kai Sotto (6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds) displayed flashes of his NBA potential.

Midway through the season, with a 6-8 record, Adelaide brought in former Sydney King Ian Clark (12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) for the final 10 games, hoping his experience could guide them into the postseason. However, the 36ers faltered, securing just two wins in their last eight games and missing the playoffs. At the time of Clark’s arrival, Adelaide was competing with Melbourne, Perth, and South East Melbourne for the final two playoff spots.

While the preseason victory over the Phoenix Suns generated high expectations, the 36ers were ultimately unable to deliver on their potential, finishing in eighth place with a 13-18 record.

Sunday Dech appeared in all 28 games for Adelaide, averaging 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, contributing solidly throughout a tumultuous season.

2023/24
After a second consecutive disappointing season under coach CJ Bruton, the Adelaide 36ers made several key roster changes. Despite imports Robert Franks and Antonius Cleveland being contracted for a second year, both were allowed to leave and pursue overseas opportunities. Other departures included Anthony Drmic (to Tasmania), Ian Clark (to Melbourne), and Kai Sotto (to Japan). However, the most significant loss for many 36ers fans was the decision not to re-sign long-serving big man Daniel Johnson, who had been with the club for 13 years.

To fill the gaps, Adelaide brought back former Sixers Jason Cadee (via Brisbane), Isaac Humphries (via Melbourne), and import Jacob Wiley to provide much-needed leadership. They also added fresh faces, including Trentyn Flowers from the Next Stars program, AFL-to-NBL convert Alex Starling, and imports Trey Kell (via South East Melbourne) and Jamaal Franklin.

Franklin’s tenure with the 36ers was short-lived, as he was released during the NBL Blitz. Similar to the previous season, Adelaide started poorly, posting a 1-4 record before signing DJ Vasiljevic. Vasiljevic had exited his contract with Sydney early to pursue an NBA opportunity with Washington but was released just before the start of the NBL season.

Vasiljevic (19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) provided immediate offensive firepower, but Adelaide continued to struggle. A dismal performance against Tasmania, where the team shot just 29% from the field and made only 2 of 11 three-pointers, resulting in their equal-lowest score of the 40-minute era (59-94), led to Bruton’s dismissal. At the time, the team was sitting at the bottom of the ladder (4-9). Assistant coach Scott Ninnis, who had previously coached the team from 2008-2010, was appointed as interim head coach. Under Ninnis, Adelaide managed to turn their season around, particularly with a strong January (5-1) that put them back in contention for a playoff spot.

Adelaide finished the season as the second-best rebounding team in the league, averaging 43.5 rebounds per game. However, their struggles from beyond the arc continued, with the team ranking last in three-point shooting percentage (29.9%).

Trey Kell (17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals) and Isaac Humphries (15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) both had career-best seasons, while Jacob Wiley (10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) led the team in rebounding.

Despite showing signs of improvement, Adelaide ultimately finished just short of qualifying for the Play-In Tournament, ending the season with 12 wins and 16 losses. Sunday Dech played in 27 games, averaging 4.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1 assist, contributing solidly to the squad’s efforts.

Sunday Dech currently plays for the Adelaide 36ers and has played 163 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 7.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists since entering the league in 2013.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Adelaide 36ers – 3 Year Deal (2022-25)

Dan Boyce (815 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.