Dutch international Menno Dijkstra strengthens Heroes Den Bosch
2.13m tall center signs 2-year contract at Maaspoort

Menno Dijkstra (01-11-1997) is the third new addition to Heroes Den Bosch for the 2024-2025 season. The "big man" born in Standdaarbuiten received his training at the Canarias Basketball Academy (where he played alongside his new teammates Boy van Vliet and Luuk van Bree) and at the University of California Riverside (NCAA). He began his professional career in Spain with Basquet Girona (SPA-3). Subsequently, he played for Hestia Menorca (SPA-3), Juaristi ISB (SPA-2), Amics Castello (SPA-2), and Pärnu Sadam (EST-LAT 1). Menno signs a contract that binds him to the club for two seasons, expanding the Dutch core within head coach Erik Braal’s squad to four.

Orange Lions
This summer, Menno was called up for the Orange Lions and recently played friendly matches against Belgium and Serbia (where he directly faced 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic). You can hear how Menno experienced this on Monday in episode 2 of Heroes Talk. Next month, the national team will play more friendly matches against Turkey and world champion Germany, and Menno will join in August with a wealth of new experience.

New role for the 5-position
Head coach Erik Braal looks forward to working with Dijkstra: “In our search for a new center, we quickly arrived at Menno. Besides being a local boy who spent his youth in the stands of the Maaspoort, he also adds a new dimension to our game. He is a 5 with a three-point shot, making him also deployable at the 4-position. Additionally, he is a strong and sturdy player who plays very disciplined, grabs a lot of rebounds, and can deliver the ball on a silver platter to his teammates."

Number 1 club in the Netherlands
Menno is also enthusiastic: “After a few years abroad, I wanted to return to the Netherlands. As a Brabant boy, I watched the then EiffelTowers at a young age, so Heroes is the number 1 club in the Netherlands for me. When it turned out there was genuine interest from Heroes and the talks with coach Erik Braal were very positive, it didn’t take long for me to sign. I am really looking forward to having an impact with my style of play and being back on the court with my childhood and basketball friends Boy and Luuk!”

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