MANY young basketballers aim to lead the next generation, coming through the ranks and putting in all the work in the lead up to games in order to shine and when the opportunity comes to represent their state, it is a time to show their skills and attributes on the court.

Basketball runs through Bonnie Deas’s veins and it is clear she has the passion every time she steps on the basketball court. Deas first got into playing basketball, playing with the Frankston Blues and has enjoyed her junior career to-date.

“Starting basketball was really nothing too exciting initially,” she said. “My older brother started playing representative basketball, so my mum signed me up for my local school basketball team.

“I’ve played with the Frankston Blues since I was triple bottom-age in Under 12’s in 2013 and have always been so fortunate to have amazing coaches that have developed my basketball game.”

Deas credits a pair of coaches for a lot of her success, helping provide valuable advice as her game has developed.

“Kerryn Mitchell and Adam Kerr have been my biggest mentors and I couldn’t be more thankful for the support they have given me through my juniors at Frankston,” Deas said.

The young gun said balancing commitments at Frankston and the Centre of Excellence (CoE) has been a non-stop journey.

“One word for life at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) would be ‘busy’,” she said.

“Being at the AIS has definitely developed my time management skills and organisation. Some days are harder than others, but having the support of the other scholarship athletes makes life a lot easier. Living at the AIS with girls from around Australia forms a family-type culture.

“The Rowville Secondary College Basketball Program has also had a significant impact on my basketball career. Training four times a week during school definitely helped for my preparation to be at the AIS. Dean Kinsman (Rowville’s head coach) has not only been a tremendous significance in my basketball career but an amazing life mentor also. I’m super grateful I was able to be coached under him.”

Deas has had her fair share of setbacks, but has shown plenty of resilience in overcoming these hurdles.

“My biggest barrier during my basketball carrier thus far has definitely been the constant battle of trying to stay on the court due to injuries,” she said.

“Injuries have been a big part of my journey already. Being out for five months with my back soon following a six month ankle injury has definitely been a set back for me, alongside many little injuries in between.

“Now being at the CoE, I’ve been fortunate enough to work closely with the physios, doctors and strength and conditioning coach to strengthen my body and help me stay on court as much as possible, which I am so thankful for. A lot of rehab and a various amount of different types of training were apart of my return to court also.

“My family has played an important part in supporting me and being there for me during those difficult times.”

Deas recently got the call up to the Victorian women’s team for the National Championships, and helped bring home a gold medal after a tremendous campaign.

“It really meant a lot after missing the opportunity to represent my state previously due to injury,” she said. “I am truly grateful, that I finally was able to put on the uniform especially alongside a great group of girls.

“It was not only a great bunch of girls but a great coaching staff group as well. I truly believe our connection off-court resulted in winning the championship. It was an incredible week and hopefully look forward to participating in it again in early 2025.”

She said the experience was a personal highlight and excites her for what to come in what is shaping as a promising career.

“Winning gold for Victoria was an amazing experience and definitely one of my greatest career highlights to date,” Deas said.

“The standard of basketball throughout the tournament was amongst the best I have been involved in, so I am just so extremely proud of what we were able to achieve together.”

Despite bringing home the gold in recent weeks, Deas has plenty of goals on her mind in the future as she looks to become one of the key figures in Australian basketball.

“My main focus will be looking to put a solid season of NBL1 together with the COE team,” she said. “If we can gel early as a group and string some good performances together, then any success there will be a great achievement in my eyes.”