Sensley working his way back into the game

McALLEN, Texas » After starting his season in Greece, Julian Sensley has returned stateside for another stint in the NBA Developmental League.

The 29-year-old Hawaii product is playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the same team he was the starting center for during their run to the 2010 D-League title.

"To win a championship at any level, it felt good, especially that year," Sensley said. "It was a very stacked league. I think that year was the most call-ups in D-League history. There were a lot of NBA-caliber guys in that league."

So far, the Kailua native has started five games for RGV and has posted solid numbers (16 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 blocks).

"It’s been going well," he said. "It feels good to be back in a D-League atmosphere."

However, he has recently been slowed by an Achilles’ injury and was waived. But waiving injured players is a normal occurrence in the D-League, so after doing some rehab on Oahu, where he lives during the offseason, he will likely be re-signed by the Vipers and will continue his push toward a possible NBA call-up later this season.

"I have some tendinitis in my Achilles’. It’s nothing serious," Sensley said. "There’s a little bit of irritation. I started my season in August in Greece. My body just got a little worn down. I got off the plane from Greece and jumped right into the game here. My body didn’t quite adjust yet to it."

Despite the injury, Vipers head coach Nick Nurse sees plenty to like.

"We like Julian. He can shoot the 3-ball. He can post you up. He can take you off the drive with his strength and he also has a pretty good IQ," Nurse said.

Of course, the ultimate goal for this UH product is the same as for all his D-League colleagues — to get a call-up to the NBA. But exactly what Sensley needs to do in order to realize that dream all depends on who you ask.

"Well, he’s going to have to shoot the ball at a little higher clip. He’s an above-average 3-point shooter, especially for his size. But he needs to become a knockdown guy," Nurse said. "He has to really be able to help us space the floor and (he needs more) consistency. He needs to put a few more steady performances back across the board."

Sensley says his improvement hinges on becoming more consistent.

"I have played well, but a lot of it has to do with what’s going on in the NBA," he said. "I think this situation this year, playing for our coach here, is a great position (to be in). I’m 29 years old and there’s guys who haven’t even gotten to the NBA until they were 29 or 30. I like to believe I still have a chance, and talking to my coach and my agent, I’m definitely on that fence of being called up. It’s just a matter of being able to produce every night."

Should he reach the Association, Sensley would join Anthony Carter, who is currently in Toronto, as the only ex-UH players in the league, something he says he would take great pride in.

"To this day, I think it (playing at Hawaii) is the best experience I had," Sensley said. "I was able to play in front of my friends, family and for the state of Hawaii. I was happy I was able to stay home and represent my state. We had great fan support. I had great teammates there. It was an amazing experience."