LVR grad Sean Denison experiences career year playing pro hoops in Romania
By Bruce Fuhr
When Sean Denison hopped a flight last summer for Romania, he hoped the move to the European Basketball team would be a good one.
Well the move proved to be good for CSM Oradea, Denison’s new club, and amazing for the former L.V. Rogers hoop star.
Not only did CSM Oradea make history but also Denison realized a happiness about playing the sport again that had been missing for a few years.
“It was a successful year for me personally . . . and it was felt really good to play in a competitive league again,” the 28-year-old power forward said after completing the successful campaign in Romania.
“We made history all year,” the 6’11” 245-pound Denison added.
“First we got a nod from the EuroChallenge league saying we were the best new entry (first year team) in EuroChallenge this season.
“For the first time the club made the Romanian Cup final and then for the first time in club history we made the finals in the playoffs.”
Unfortunately, CSM Oradea came up short in both finals — losing in the Romanian Cup and League Final — the latter, a six-point setback in the final of the best-of-five series.
“That last loss was tough because I felt like we were the better team when we were playing our game and our style,” explained Denison, part of two BC Basketball Championships during his time at Trafalgar Junior and L.V. Rogers High Schools.
“But they played very good in the last game and we fought hard so none of us on the team have any regrets.”
Denison was a star during his high school days, leading the Bombers to a fourth-place finish at the BC High School AAA Basketball Championships during his senior season after titles in Grade 9 at Trafalgar and Grade 10 Junior crown at LVR.
The local hoop star went on to play four seasons at Santa Clara in NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball. He played also for Canada internationally program for some years — the Canadian Senior National Team in 2007, the U21 National Team in 2004 and at the Pan-American Games trials.
Denison, who came to Romania following stops in Turkey, Germany and Russia, played 37 Liga Nationala games for CSM Oradea recording 10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.1 spg and 1.2bpg — the latter was fifth best in the league.
In six games in EuroChallenge Denison averaged impressive 15.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg and 1.7 bpg and was also voted to Eurobasket.com All-Romanian League Honorable Mention Team.
“I played very well in EuroChallenge but had a hard time adjusting my game for the referees in the Romanian league,” he admitted.
“Almost every away game I would have two fouls in five minutes and have to sit until the third quarter. They just call the game different and there is no governing body to regulate or review their calls. So instead of a block or a steal I would get a foul.
“These things add up and as a result I couldn’t play as aggressively as I wanted in the normal league.”
Denison, on a one-year contract in Romania, is considering his options for next season. He’s returned to Canada to spend his offseason with his wife, Tricia, and two children in the North Okanagan near Salmon Arm.
“Not sure where I will play next year, still looking at the possibilities but I feel great,” he said. “I feel better every year and will continue to work on my game and staying healthy.”
No doubt after the 2013-14 campaign, a few teams most likely will be calling for his services.
