After playing professional basketball in Luxembourg for a year, 2014 Hillsdale graduate Tim Dezelski signed his second professional contract at the beginning of January with BVM 2012, a team based in Mieres, Spain.
Dezelski had a successful 30-3 season with his first professional team, the Residence Walferdange, in Luxembourg, averaging 17 points and 16 rebounds per game. When contract negotiations stalled for a second year, he searched for a new agent who found a more competitive league in Spain.
“I ended up in Spain after switching agents in November,” Dezelski said. “I was without a team for about six months so I made a change and this opportunity presented itself. Spain has a great reputation in the basketball world and is a great opportunity to prove myself in a competitive league.”
Dezelski moved to Spain on Jan. 14 and three days later played his first game, racking up 19 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Dezelski said he has enjoyed the competition and some of the subtle changes to the game.
“The competition in Europe is very strong because many Europeans have focused solely on basketball from a young age and teams have foreign players who had very successful college and professional careers,” Dezelski said. “It’s also different in that it’s more fast paced and free flowing. For example, the 24-second shot clock places a lot of emphasis on skill, ball movement, and understanding each other as a team. Practice here is focused on working offensively as a team as opposed to college practices which place a huge emphasis on defense.”
In addition to the adjusting to the new competition, Dezelski has enjoyed adapting to and observing the new culture in Europe.
“Life in Spain, and Europe in general, is a lot more laid back than in America,” Dezelski said. “The people as a whole are more relaxed. Particularly in Spain with the daily siesta most of the city closes down in mid-afternoon.”
As a member of the Hillsdale College men’s basketball team, Dezelski was named a NCAA Division II All-American his senior year, and was the only player in his division that season to accumulate 600 points, 250 rebounds, and 100 assists. Dezelski said his time with the Chargers gave him some of the most memorable moments of his life.
“Playing for the Hillsdale Chargers was truly a privilege, and I have to say my favorite thing was the relationships I formed with all my teammates and coaches,” Dezelski said. “My favorite memory was when we won a close game at SVSU to clinch the GLIAC regular season title and sprinted to the locker room to celebrate by singing our victory song.”
John Tharp, the head coach of Hillsdale’s men’s basketball team, said that Dezelski is his fourth player to play professional basketball and that he will be remembered as one of the best to come out of the Chargers program.
“Tim Dezelski was one of the greatest players in the history of our program,” Tharp said. “His senior year here was one of the best performances in terms of points and rebounds we’ve seen here. He wasn’t a heralded recruit by any stretch, but he made great strides and improvement to be where he is today. Simply, he’s a winner.”
Dezelski said he still keeps in touch with Tharp and is incredibly grateful for his coaching.
“I owe him more than I can express for giving me a chance as a walk on and helping me develop my game to a high level,” Dezelski said. “I consider him a close friend now that I have graduated and always will.”
Dezelski’s girlfriend and former Hillsdale College women’s basketball player Kadie Lowery said she is glad that all of Dezelski’s dedication to the game is paying off.
“Anyone who knows Tim knows how hard of a worker he is,” Lowery said. “He gives everything he has to the game and I’m happy to see him achieving his dreams.”
