Basil Dermaux is a Belgian opposite who plays for Allianz Milano and the Belgium men’s national team. Born on February 9, 2003, in Izegem and raised in Roeselare, he came through Knack Roeselare’s youth system before establishing himself at Decospan Volley Team Menen and later returning to Knack’s senior team. His game is built around high-volume right-side attacking, a forceful serve and a physical approach that he has described as more power-oriented than that of fellow Belgian opposite Ferre Reggers.
Dermaux’s route to the top level was unusually rapid. He was still playing provincial volleyball when Belgium head coach Emanuele Zanini called him into the senior national-team setup in 2022. A serious ACL injury then interrupted his progress, but he returned to become Belgian Player of the Year in consecutive seasons and produced a 39-point Champions League performance against Halkbank in January 2026. He joined Milano for 2026/27, beginning his first club season outside Belgium.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Basil Dermaux |
| Date of Birth | February 9, 2003 |
| Place of Birth | Izegem, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Position | Opposite |
| Height | 195 cm |
| Attack Reach | 348 cm |
| Block Reach | 320 cm |
| Dominant Hand | Right |
| College / University | VIVES University of Applied Sciences — Business Management |
| Previous Clubs | Knack Roeselare youth / Knack C, Decospan Volley Team Menen, Knack Volley Roeselare |
| Current Club | Allianz Milano |
| Club Number | 10 |
| National Team | Belgium Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 15 at EuroVolley 2026 |
| Senior National Team | Since 2022 |
| Senior Caps | 19 on the current Topvolley Belgium player listing |
| @dermauxbasil |
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Dermaux was born in Izegem but spent most of his childhood in Roeselare. He grew up trying several sports rather than specializing immediately in volleyball, including swimming, tennis and football.
Volleyball eventually became the main direction. Dermaux joined Knack Roeselare’s introductory youth program in 2009 at six years old and progressed through the club’s age-group structure. Unlike many Belgian prospects who moved into Topsportschool Vilvoorde, he stayed in Roeselare because the club already offered a strong local development pathway.
That allowed him to remain close to home while continuing both school and volleyball. Dermaux has said that he studied Latin and Greek before moving toward a mathematics-heavy secondary-school program.
His progression was not the conventional route of an obvious national-team prospect. In 2021/22, he was still playing with Knack C at provincial level, helping the team win the Promo 1 championship.
Then came the call that changed the pace of his career.
In May 2022, Belgium’s newly appointed senior head coach Emanuele Zanini selected Dermaux for the Red Dragons despite his limited experience at the top domestic level. Knack later described the call-up as a surprise even within Belgian volleyball.
The selection helped create an opportunity with Decospan Volley Team Menen. Dermaux left the Roeselare development system and entered Belgium’s top league for 2022/23.
Club Career
Breakthrough with Decospan Volley Team Menen
Menen signed Dermaux in 2022 and gave him a much quicker route into high-level senior volleyball.
He initially benefited from an injury to experienced attacker Lou Kindt, which opened substantial court time. Dermaux responded by becoming one of the season’s breakout players and quickly moved from a prospect with provincial experience to a significant scorer in the Belgian league.
CEV records from his Menen period sometimes listed him as an outside hitter, reflecting the broader attacking role he carried earlier in his development. As his senior career progressed, opposite became his established position.
Menen also gave Dermaux his first extended experience in European club competition. He appeared with the team in consecutive European seasons and reached Belgian Cup finals during his two-year spell.
That progress was interrupted in 2023.
Dermaux suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while involved with the Belgian national-team program. Surgery followed, and the injury kept him away from competitive volleyball for months. His second Menen season became dominated by rehabilitation rather than match play.
The interruption arrived just as his career was accelerating, but Knack Roeselare remained interested in bringing its former youth player back.
Returning to Knack After ACL Surgery
Knack announced Dermaux’s return in 2024. The club knew he was coming off a major knee injury but backed the player it had developed from childhood.
The rehabilitation period had also changed his physical preparation. Knack later credited the long hours Dermaux spent in the gym with helping him return stronger and better equipped for the physical demands of top-level volleyball.
His impact in 2024/25 was immediate.
Knack won the inaugural BeNe Cup and BeNe Conference, then added the Belgian Cup and Belgian championship. Dermaux became one of the primary attacking options in a roster that also contained established internationals such as Stijn D’Hulst and Seppe Rotty.
His production and influence earned him Belgian volleyball’s Player of the Year award in 2025. The voting margin was substantial: Dermaux received 371 points, compared with 120 for D’Hulst and 84 for Rotty.
It completed a striking reversal. A player who had spent the previous season largely rehabilitating from ACL surgery returned to become the top individual award winner in Belgian men’s club volleyball.
Champions League Scoring in 2025/26
Dermaux remained with Knack for 2025/26 and took an even larger attacking role after several roster changes.
The CEV Champions League provided the clearest examples of his scoring capacity. In January 2026, Knack travelled to Ankara to face Halkbank, a roster containing experienced international attackers including Tsvetan Sokolov and Yoandy Leal.
Dermaux produced the biggest individual performance of his European club career.
He scored 39 points in Knack’s 3–2 victory, finishing with 33 successful attacks, four blocks and two aces. His attacking success rate was 72%, and CEV named him the match MVP.
The performance was not simply a high-volume total created through excessive attempts. Dermaux remained efficient while carrying a large share of Knack’s offense against a Champions League opponent.
He continued to produce heavily during the European campaign, combining right-side attacking with significant service pressure. By then, interest from larger foreign leagues had become inevitable.
Final Season in Roeselare
Dermaux entered the spring of 2026 knowing that his second season back at Knack would also be his last.
Before leaving, he added more domestic honors. Roeselare retained both the BeNe Cup and BeNe Conference titles.
Dermaux also repeated as Belgian Player of the Year in April 2026, becoming a back-to-back winner of the award. Knack supporters separately voted him the club’s Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.
The Belgian championship provided a less successful ending. Knack reached the final against Greenyard Maaseik but lost the series after Maaseik won Game 4 by 3–1. Dermaux scored 18 points in the deciding match.
Roeselare therefore finished as Belgian championship runner-up, ending a run of five consecutive domestic league titles.
By then, Dermaux’s next destination was already confirmed.
Moving to Allianz Milano
Knack announced in February 2026 that Dermaux would leave for Italy, and Allianz Milano formally introduced him in May.
The transfer places him in the SuperLega for the first time and makes Milano his first senior club outside Belgium.
Dermaux effectively succeeds Ferre Reggers in Milano’s opposite department. Reggers left after three seasons in the city, while Dermaux arrives following his own rapid rise with Roeselare.
In Allianz Milano’s official introduction, Dermaux described the transfer as an opportunity to test his current level and continue developing physically. He specifically identified explosiveness, power and greater serving pressure as areas where he still believes he can improve.
He also reunites with Belgian outside hitter Seppe Rotty, his former Knack teammate.
Milano’s current 2026/27 roster lists Dermaux as opposite No. 10.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2009/10–2021/22 | Knack Roeselare youth / Knack C | Belgium |
| 2022/23–2023/24 | Decospan Volley Team Menen | Belgium |
| 2024/25–2025/26 | Knack Volley Roeselare | Belgium |
| 2026/27– | Allianz Milano | Italy |
National Team Career
Dermaux entered the Belgium senior national-team environment earlier than his domestic résumé might have suggested.
Zanini called him into the Red Dragons setup in May 2022 while Dermaux was still coming from provincial-level volleyball. CEV records place him in Belgium’s 2022 European Golden League group and then in subsequent Golden League campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
His international development continued alongside his move to Menen. Dermaux was also involved in the 2023 EuroVolley cycle before the knee injury interrupted his momentum.
By 2025, he was back in Belgium’s major-tournament squad.
2025 World Championship
Dermaux was selected for Belgium’s 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship roster in the Philippines.
The Red Dragons produced one of their strongest World Championship campaigns in decades. Belgium completed the pool stage unbeaten, including a five-set victory over defending champions Italy.
A straight-set win against Finland in the round of 16 sent Belgium into the World Championship quarterfinals for the first time in 55 years.
Italy won the rematch in the last eight, leaving Belgium seventh overall.
Dermaux was used primarily behind Ferre Reggers at opposite, but the tournament gave him his first experience as part of a Belgian squad reaching the knockout stages of a senior global championship.
Belgium’s First Volleyball Nations League Match
Belgium entered the Volleyball Nations League for the first time in 2026.
Dermaux started the Red Dragons’ opening match against Bulgaria in Brasília on June 10. Belgium recovered from losing the opening set and won 3–1, earning the first VNL victory in the history of its men’s program.
Dermaux was one of the major contributors. He scored 14 points — 12 in attack, one block and one ace — and Volleyball World recorded an attacking efficiency of 52.17%.
The match ended painfully for him. Early in the fourth set, Dermaux landed awkwardly after a block attempt and injured his knee, forcing him out of the lineup.
He did not add further scoring during that opening VNL week, but the injury did not end his international season.
EuroVolley 2026
Dermaux recovered in time to rejoin Belgium for the European Championship.
Topvolley Belgium included him among the three opposites in the extended EuroVolley group alongside Reggers and Warre Vandecruys. CEV’s final tournament roster listed Dermaux as No. 15.
His role was largely that of a second opposite behind Reggers, but Belgium used him regularly as a substitute and in selected rotations.
Against Denmark in the pool stage, Dermaux entered during a difficult opening set and immediately gave the Red Dragons another attacking option. Belgium eventually recovered to win 3–1.
The team advanced from Pool C and then defeated Czechia in the round of 16, reaching the EuroVolley quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.
Slovenia ended Belgium’s tournament in Turin on September 23. Dermaux scored eight points in the quarterfinal, converting seven of 11 attacks and adding one block as Belgium lost 3–1.
The tournament completed a significant international summer: he returned from the VNL knee problem, reclaimed his place in the squad and reached another major quarterfinal before beginning his first Italian club season.
Playing Style & Strengths
Dermaux is now established primarily as an opposite, although earlier CEV records from his Menen period also listed him as an outside hitter.
His current role is much more clearly defined. Milano signed him as a right-side scorer, Belgium lists him among its opposites, and much of his recent club production has come without the normal reception workload expected from a six-rotation outside hitter.
Power is central to his attacking identity.
In a 2026 Topvolley Belgium interview, Dermaux contrasted his game with Reggers’. He described Reggers as more technical and flexible, while identifying his own style as more power-based.
That distinction fits the available match evidence. Against Halkbank, Dermaux repeatedly scored from the right side under a heavy workload and still converted 33 attacks at a 72% success rate.
His vertical reach helps compensate for being shorter than many elite international opposites. Milano currently lists Dermaux at 195 cm, while Topvolley Belgium records an attack reach of 348 cm and a block reach of 320 cm.
Serving is another important part of his profile. Knack specifically highlighted his impact from the service line after his return from injury, and his Champions League performances included several matches with multiple aces.
Dermaux is comfortable accepting risk from behind the line when the tactical objective is to disrupt reception rather than simply put the ball safely in play.
Blocking is less central to his statistical identity than attacking and serving, but the four kill blocks against Halkbank showed that he can contribute directly at the net even against taller international opposition.
His physical development has also been unusually important to his career. The ACL rehabilitation period forced a long stretch of strength work before his return to Knack, and Dermaux has continued to describe physical development as an area where he believes he has additional room to grow.
For Milano, the main question is how that power-based profile translates from Belgium into the week-to-week blocking and serving pressure of SuperLega.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | Quarterfinalist / 7th place |
| 2026 | CEV European Championship | Quarterfinalist |
Selected Club Honors
| Season | Competition | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | BeNe Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | BeNe Conference | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Championship | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | BeNe Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | BeNe Conference | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | Belgian Championship | Runner-up | Knack Volley Roeselare |
Selected Individual Awards
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Belgian Player of the Year |
| 2026 | Belgian Player of the Year |
| 2025 | Knack Volley Roeselare Supporters’ Player of the Year |
| 2026 | Knack Volley Roeselare Supporters’ Player of the Year |
Personal Life & Education
Dermaux was born in Izegem but grew up mainly in Roeselare, where he remained close to both family and the Knack volleyball structure.
His sporting childhood was varied. Before volleyball became the clear priority, he spent time swimming and playing tennis and football.
Dermaux also has a sister, Charlotte, who played volleyball for a period.
Education has continued alongside his playing career. When Knack announced his return in 2024, the club said he would combine professional volleyball with Business Management studies at VIVES in Kortrijk.
Milano’s official 2026 introduction added a few details about his life away from volleyball. Dermaux said he enjoys cooking, reading and travelling.
He was also living in Roeselare with his girlfriend during his final season with Knack.
The move to Milano therefore represents more than his first transfer into SuperLega. It is also his first club season outside Belgium after developing, studying and playing almost entirely within West Flanders.
Where Is Basil Dermaux Playing Now?
Basil Dermaux plays for Allianz Milano in the 2026/27 Italian SuperLega season.
Milano lists him as opposite No. 10 on its current first-team roster. He joins Federico Argano in the club’s opposite department and works within a substantially rebuilt squad under head coach Guillermo Falasca.
The transfer is Dermaux’s first professional club experience outside Belgium.
He arrives after two seasons in which he became one of the central scorers for Knack Roeselare, won consecutive Belgian Player of the Year awards and produced several high-volume performances in European competition.
The move also creates a Belgian connection within Milano’s roster. Dermaux is reunited with Seppe Rotty, while he follows Ferre Reggers as another Red Dragons opposite to move from the Belgian pathway into the club’s SuperLega lineup.
His national-team season ended only days before the start of the final preparation period for his new club. Belgium’s EuroVolley campaign concluded against Slovenia on September 23, 2026, with Dermaux contributing eight points in the quarterfinal.
The immediate focus now shifts to adapting his power-based game to a first full season in SuperLega.
Recent Performance Snapshot
| Date / Competition | Performance / Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 | Won the Belgian Championship, Belgian Cup, BeNe Cup and BeNe Conference with Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025 | Voted Belgian Player of the Year |
| January 21, 2026 — Champions League vs. Halkbank Ankara | 39 points: 33 attacks, 4 blocks and 2 aces; match MVP |
| April 2026 | Voted Belgian Player of the Year for the second consecutive season |
| May 12, 2026 — Belgian Championship Final vs. Greenyard Maaseik | 18 points in Knack’s season-ending Game 4 loss |
| June 10, 2026 — VNL vs. Bulgaria | 14 points: 12 attacks, 1 block and 1 ace before leaving with a knee injury |
| September 23, 2026 — EuroVolley Quarterfinal vs. Slovenia | 8 points: 7 attacks and 1 block |
| 2026/27 | Joined Allianz Milano for his first season in the Italian SuperLega |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Basil Dermaux?
Allianz Milano currently lists Dermaux at 195 cm. Other official sources use different measurements: Volleyball World lists 198 cm, while Topvolley Belgium lists 200 cm. His current club figure is 195 cm.
What position does Basil Dermaux play?
Dermaux plays opposite for Allianz Milano and the Belgium men’s national team. Some earlier CEV records listed him as an outside hitter, but opposite is his established current position.
Which club does Basil Dermaux play for?
Dermaux plays for Allianz Milano in Italy. He joined the club for the 2026/27 season after two senior seasons with Knack Volley Roeselare.
What number does Basil Dermaux wear?
Dermaux wears No. 10 for Allianz Milano. He wore No. 15 for Belgium at EuroVolley 2026.
What happened to Basil Dermaux’s knee?
Dermaux suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2023 and underwent surgery, which kept him out for an extended period. He returned to become Belgian Player of the Year in 2025. He also left Belgium’s opening VNL match in June 2026 after an awkward landing on his knee but later recovered in time to play at EuroVolley.
When did Basil Dermaux join the Belgium senior national team?
Dermaux entered the Red Dragons program in 2022. His call-up was unusual because he was still coming from provincial-level club volleyball at the time.
What are Basil Dermaux’s biggest individual achievements?
Dermaux was voted Belgian Player of the Year in both 2025 and 2026. He also produced a 39-point Champions League performance against Halkbank in January 2026, including 33 successful attacks, four blocks and two aces.
What is Basil Dermaux’s current Instagram account?
His verified Instagram account linked by Team Belgium is @dermauxbasil.
References
- Allianz Milano — Basil Dermaux official player profile
- Allianz Milano — Basil Dermaux joins the club for the 2026/27 SuperLega season
- Topvolley Belgium — Basil Dermaux Red Dragons player profile
- Topvolley Belgium — Basil Dermaux discusses his career, playing style and move to Milano
- Team Belgium — Basil Dermaux athlete profile and verified Instagram link
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Basil Dermaux leaves for Allianz Milano
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Basil Dermaux returns from the club’s youth pathway
- Topvolley Belgium — VolleyProms 2025 Player of the Year results
- CEV Champions League — Basil Dermaux scores 39 points as Roeselare defeat Halkbank
- Volleyball World — Basil Dermaux VNL 2026 player profile and statistics
- Topvolley Belgium — Belgium defeat Bulgaria in their first VNL match
- Volleyball World — Basil Dermaux 2025 Men’s World Championship player profile
- CEV — Basil Dermaux EuroVolley 2026 player profile and career history
- CEV — Belgium vs. Slovenia, EuroVolley 2026 quarterfinal statistics
- Volleybox — Basil Dermaux physical data and dominant hand