Sturt teenager Alex Dodson is still weighing up his sporting future as a decision between pursuing an AFL career or taking the professional basketball path looms.
The 18-year-old has emerged as arguably the leading ruck prospect for the 2024 AFL Draft, with his pair of appearances for South Australia at the National Championships this year significantly strengthening his stock.
Dodson is averaging 19.5 disposals, 20.5 hitouts, 6.5 inside 50s and 4.0 marks per game at this year's carnival, with a likely third and final game at the top level to come this weekend when the Croweaters host Vic Metro at Alberton Oval.
While Dodson continues to develop his ruck craft with SA and Sturt, he has begun training under the eye of NBL club the Adelaide 36ers, taking part in recent tryouts for the side's development roster.
The teenager will need to come to a decision on which code he'll pick in the coming months, with the AFL Draft taking place in November, while the NBL will begin to ramp up two months prior.
The pending call will rely on a number of factors, with Dodson placing a preference on his career and satisfaction from the favoured sport.
"There's no real answer at the moment," Dodson told local media of his pending decision. "I love both (sports). Both have been so great to me this year.
"I probably think I'm a little bit better at Basketball, because I haven't played as much footy. But I think my footy has come back naturally and the coaches at State and at Sturt have been great for me. They've helped me a lot.
"[My decision] is really just going to come down to talking to coaches and family. Discussing what will be best for me and what I enjoy.
"Ultimately it'll just come down to what I want to do and what I can make more of a career out of."
Standing at 203cm, Dodson's height and athletic ability has him in good stead across both codes as a raw prospect.
Adelaide 36ers coach Scott Ninnis said the Payneham product is sure to thrive with either the Sherrin or Spalding, but it would be a big win for basketball if Dodson were to pick the latter.
"He's obviously got a bright future with whatever he wants to do," Ninnis said. "Hopefully it's basketball.
"We've lost too many players to footy over the years."
Following the conclusion of the U18s National Championships, Dodson may return to Sturt in the SANFL U18s for the back end of the season, adding to his two games from earlier in the year.
