Thu
Apr 18, 2024
Sylla's Thunder return to be boosted by eye-opening professional journey
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Story By Jacob Bevis The Advocate
Sekou Sylla is eager to tip off his second stint at the North West Thunder, after "learning how to be a professional" for the first time. The 24-year-old will take to the court for his first appearance of the NBL1 South season on Friday, April 19, when the Thunder go head-to-head with Mount Gambier away from home at 8.30pm.
After tasting professional basketball for the first time over the past year with Sweden club Uppsala, Sylla felt he was better equipped to "share some leadership" this time round. "I've been looking forward to coming back since the start of last season, I love it. I think we have the best crowd in NBL1 South," Sylla said. "I just finished my first season in Sweden. We went to the finals and lost in the first round but overall it was a good experience. I learned how to be a professional and take care of my work. Last year when I came here I was coming straight off college so I didn't know what it necessarily meant to be a pro."
The 198 centimetre forward played 17 games for the Thunder in 2023, and averaged 21.76 points, 2 assists, and 12.2 rebounds. Sylla was looking forward to playing under new coach Sam Armstrong and believed last weekend's double defeats were "easily fixable". "I love Sam, he's great and we have a good relationship so it was no brainier coming back," he said. "I watched all the games so far so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can add. "It didn't go to plan last weekend but easily fixable stuff so hopefully we can take care of some of those things this weekend."
The Thunder will round out their busy weekend in Victoria on Sunday, when they go toe-to-toe with Keilor at 3pm.
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