He’s already proven an asset for the Snakes, scoring 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots in last Friday’s win over Perth.

The 205 centimetre-tall 26 year-old says he’s grateful for the court time he’s getting with the Taipans.

“I want that pressure on me as I have a chip on my shoulder,” Deng said.

“If you are a basketball player, you always want that to make you a lot better.

“For the last three years I have wanted that opportunity and now I have it, I will not take it for granted.

"I will be looking to show everyone that I can do a lot more than what people have seen.”

His teammate, guard Jarrod Kenny, says there’s a good feeling amongst the group following their huge 99-76 win in the west.

“We’ve got to keep that standard up and improve in other areas as well,” he said.

“For us it's more of a mental game.

“If we’re alert and switched on and focussed we can compete with anyone.”

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