Posted on 7 March, 2022

Electric point guard Mitch Dielemans has re-signed with the Cobras for the 2022 NBL1 season.

Dielemans enjoyed a strong 2021 season with the Cobras, enjoying success after making the jump to the NBL1 on a full-time basis. The lightning quick floor general provided a spark off the bench for the Cobras, leading the team in free throw percentage (85%) and ranking second on the team in assists (2.8apg) and three point percentage (39%). Dielemans finished 2021 in season best form, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game over the final five games of the season, helping the Cobras go 4-1 during that span.

The Fosters Phantoms junior had a knack for rising to the occasion; his 10-point, seven-assist performance against Ringwood helped lead the Cobras to a 19 point come from behind win, and the following week he produced a season-best 12 points to go along with four assists in a starting role as Kilsyth toppled championship favourites, Frankston, on the road. 

Starting the season as backup point guard to Adi Tomada, Dielemans eventually found himself playing alongside Tomada in the backcourt, with head coach Pete Godfrey finding the need to keep both of his high performing floor generals on court for longer stretches. 

“Mitch’s minutes early on in 2021 were in the single digits, but by the end of the season he was banking 20-plus minutes per game and moving well beyond the backup point guard role,” Godfrey said. 

“He enables us to go small when we pair him and Adi in the backcourt, with his speed providing a few headaches for opponents.”

Following offseason elbow surgery, Dielemans has been turning heads during preseason for the Cobras, with his peers – and head coach – expecting even bigger things in 2022.

“Along with the rest of his Cobra teammates, there’s a real air around Mitch in pre-season and unfinished business from 2021,” Godfrey added.