11
Mar
Roster Update
DJ set to soar for NBL1 Central Eagles
Dejan Vasiljevic of the 36ers shoots during the round 19 NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena on February 02, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images
Featured
NBL champion Dejan "DJ" Vasiljevic joins NBL1 Central's Forrestville for season 2025
- Vasiljevic is a two-time NBL Champion with Sydney Kings (2022, 2023)
- Set franchise record with 10 three-pointers and 42 points in a single game (2023)
- Washington Wizards two-way contract signee before returning to lead Adelaide 36ers
Adelaide 36ers star Dejan "DJ" Vasiljevic has signed with Forestville in NBL1 Central for the Eagles 2025 campaign.
Vasiljevic, 27, is the second NBL player Forestville have secured after signing former 36ers forward Alex Starling, 36, from the Sarawak Cola Warriors.
The Eagles roster is STACKED: Starling, Greg Mays, Daniel Johnson, Adam Doyle, Owen Hulland, and Fiston Ipassou.
As a cornerstone for the Adelaide 36ers, Vasiljevic brings scoring punch and leadership to a team looking to climb the NBL ladder. His evolution from pure shooter to all-around contributor makes him one of the most valuable Australian players in the domestic league. With his prime years still ahead, Vasiljevic's shooting excellence and competitive drive position him to potentially add more championships to his already impressive resume.
Key Details
Name: Dejan Vasiljevic
Age: 27
Team(s): Sydney Kings, Adelaide 36ers, Washington Wizards (two-way)
Position: Guard
Size: 190 cm
Weight: 94 kg
Playing Style
Vasiljevic has built his reputation as one of the NBL's premier shooting guards, with a game centred around his outstanding perimeter shooting. His quick release and ability to create space make him a constant threat from beyond the arc. What separates him from other shooters is his confidence — Vasiljevic never hesitates to take big shots in crucial moments, making him a valuable asset in close games.
Beyond his shooting, he has developed into a complete scorer who can attack closeouts and finish at the rim. While not the most explosive athlete, Vasiljevic compensates with basketball IQ and footwork to create scoring opportunities. His game has evolved from being solely a catch-and-shoot specialist to a more well-rounded offensive player who can create his own shot when needed.
Career
Dejan Vasiljevic's journey began at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in 2014-2015, where he developed his fundamentals and shooting touch. This foundation led him to the University of Miami, where he immediately made an impact. As a freshman, he set a school record with 51 three-pointers, showcasing the shooting ability that would define his career. Over his four-year college career, Vasiljevic steadily improved, culminating in a senior season where he averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
After completing his college career, Vasiljevic returned to Australia and signed with the Sydney Kings for NBL21. His rookie season started impressively, as he averaged 15.4 points while shooting 42 percent from three-point range. Unfortunately, an Achilles injury cut his debut season short, but this setback only temporarily slowed his ascension. Upon recovery, Vasiljevic became a key contributor to the Sydney Kings' back-to-back championship runs in 2022 and 2023, cementing his place as one of the league's top shooting guards.
His performance with the Kings reached new heights in January 2023 when he delivered an extraordinary shooting display against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. In that game, Vasiljevic knocked down 10 three-pointers on his way to 42 points, highlighting his elite shooting ability. This scoring outburst wasn't an anomaly but rather a demonstration of his capability to take over games with his shooting prowess.
Following his championship success with Sydney, Vasiljevic pursued his NBA dream by signing a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards. While his time in the NBA was brief, the experience further developed his game. Upon returning to Australia, he joined the Adelaide 36ers during NBL24, where he elevated his performance to new levels. Averaging 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, Vasiljevic emerged not only as a scorer but also as a leader for the 36ers, providing the experience and composure needed to guide the team toward playoff contention.
Five Fast Facts
- Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada before moving to Australia
- Set a University of Miami freshman record with 51 three-pointers
- Recovered from an Achilles injury early in his professional career to win back-to-back championships
- Scored 42 points including 10 three-pointers in a single game against South East Melbourne Phoenix
- Signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards before returning to the NBL
Career Highlights Timeline
2014: Joined the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence to develop his skills
2015: Continued training at the Centre of Excellence before heading to college
2016: Began his college career at University of Miami, setting freshman three-point record
2020: Completed senior year at Miami averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds
2020: Signed his first professional contract with Sydney Kings in the NBL
2021: Strong rookie season (15.4 PPG) cut short by Achilles injury
2022: Won his first NBL championship with Sydney Kings
2023: Secured back-to-back championships with Sydney Kings
2023: Recorded career-high 42 points with 10 three-pointers against South East Melbourne
2023: Signed two-way contract with Washington Wizards
2024: Joined Adelaide 36ers mid-season, averaging 19.7 points per game
2024: Committed to Adelaide for NBL25 season
Dejan Vasiljevic has established himself as one of Australia's premier shooting guards, blending scoring ability with championship experience.
Forrestville have landed one of the NBL's big fish with their eyes firmly on the NBL1 Central men's championship and national championship.
