Such is his love for the club and allegiances to his team-mates and coaches, the 26-year-old can’t imagine a life without basketball and the Braves.

His loyalty and persistence will be rewarded this Sunday against Dandenong Rangers when Hansen plays his 100th SEABL game.

It’s been a career of two halves for the sweet-shooting guard, who has played with the SEABL team since he was 18, but trained with the team for a few seasons before that.

His first 50 games took about four and a half seasons, his next 50 about two.

He describes himself as ‘Bendigo through and through’ and lists chief among his reasons for staying with the club as ‘the boys’, or team-mates.

“It’s like a family – I love playing with them all,” he said.

“You take out the imports, it’s been a solid and settled group for a long time.

“I wouldn’t say I have a best friend in the club, there are really close.”

Hansen, who plays game number 99 tonight at Bendigo Stadium against Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, rated his own season as mixed.

“I have had a couple of good games and a couple of average ones – but consistency is something I’ll continue to work on,” he said.

“I’m happy with my role, albeit I’m still trying to learn it.

“Scoring off the bench is the thing for me.”

Hansen was at his best in the Braves’ 21-point win over Albury-Wodonga in late-April, tipping in 15 points from the bench.

Following a disappointing loss to Melbourne Tigers last weekend, which cost the 5-2 Braves a couple of spots on the ladder, Hansen said the focus this weekend was on snaring two wins to re-establish the team in the upper-echelons of the ladder.

The former Braves junior, who was part of the club’s 2016 national championship win, was certain the 2018 version of the Braves had the capabilities to again challenge for a title.

“The players we have got this season, a championship is definitely realistic,” he said.

“It’s something we have never struggled with, getting great players.”