MATT Andronicos admits the lure of back-to-back SEABL championships was a major factor in his decision to recommit to the Bendigo Braves for a second season.
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The 208-centimetre centre was the first Braves player to report back for pre-season training, arriving earlier this month.
Andronicos said he had no hesitation in re-signing with the 2016 SEABL national champions.
"Before the season even finished I was wanting to play back here," he said.
"As soon as the season was done I spoke to the coach and it went from there.
"I really enjoyed being at the club both on and off the court.
"Obviously on the court we won (a championship) which was fantastic, but off the court being part of a real community-owned team, I enjoyed the whole experience here."
Andronicos spent much of the off-season training with the National Basketball League's Cairns Taipans.
The 24-year-old was a development player with the Taipans in 2015-16 prior to his first year with the Braves.
Andronicos will be one of the familar faces with the Braves, who will be minus imports Jeremy Kendle and Damian Johnson and point guard Kevin White from their championship line-up.
In their places come Adelaide 36ers point guard Adam Doyle and import Dyami Starks.
A second import will be announced soon.
Andronicos said he was looking forward to getting acquainted with his new teammates and was confident the Braves, under coach Ben Harvey, could again be a championship contender.
"I've seen a little bit of Adam play, he doesn't get too much time behind Jerome Randle, who'll possibly be the MVP this season, but he looks like a pretty good player," he said.
"Plus his previous experience in the SEABL has been good, so I'm keen to play with him.
"Even though we've lost both our imports and Kevin White, the coach has done well replacing them, so I'm looking forward to the season."
Andronicos, who previously played SEABL with the Canberra Gunners, averaged nine points and five rebounds, in the Braves championship season.
But coach Harvey said it was the things not on the stat sheet that made Andronicos such a pivotal player.
“There are not too many big men in the league that understand team concepts like Matt does,” he said.
“He is an extremely hard worker on and off the court, sets fantastic screens for the guards and is always looking to improve. He just puts the team first.
“Matt is extremely important to our team chemistry and will again be a huge asset to the Braves program."
Meanwhile, Andronicu's former Braves teammate Jeremy Kendle is finding his feet in the NBL.
The SEABL 2017 season most valuable player scored 12 points in the Brisbane Bullets' win over Melbourne United on Saturday.
Kendle, who signed with the Bullets earlier this month, recorded six rebounds, four assists and a steal in the 88-71 victory.
Andronicos lends a hand to developing basketballer
STANDING 209 centimetres tall, Matt Andronicos is rarely beaten for height.
And while he may not be his equal yet, Harrison Parslow is well on his way to matching the Bendigo Braves championship centre.
At just 13 years of age, Parslow stands a whopping 190cm, or six foot two and a half.
It's no wonder the Braves under-16 development squad representative sought out Andronicos for some one-on-one tuition on the basketball court.
The youngster was thrilled to be put through his paces by Andronicos last Friday ahead of this week's annual Bendigo Junior Basketball Classic.
"He's helped me work on my follow through and other stuff a big man would do," he said.
Parslow, who also plays for Bendigo Basketball Association club Aztecs, is in only his second season of basketball.
He said he was motivated to take up basketball to "get out of the house more", but has developed a genuine affinity for the game.
He hopes one day to represent the senior Braves.
Andronicos was impressed by Parslow's application and dedication to his basketball.
The Braves star plans to do more one-on-one coaching with talented youngsters during his time in Bendigo.
