Things are looking up Down Under for Bermudian basketball star David Patrick.

Months after he suffered a serious injury which ended his season for the Canberra Cannons, just as he was forcing his way into the first team, Patrick's career has received a double boost.

First, and most surprisingly considering his absence from the court, he was named as the National Basketball League team's Most Improved Player, and secondly, he has been offered a new contract.

Patrick was playing against the Townsville Crocodiles in January when disaster struck.

The point guard was attempting to gain possession of the ball when he suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.

However, as bad as it was, at first it was feared it was even worse, possibly career-threatening.

"At first they thought I had torn my medial and my lateral (ligament) at the same time," he said. "I did think I was going to be in a bit of jeopardy. Thank God it was just my cruciate ligament."

Like most sportsmen, Patrick is not a good spectator.

"That was real frustrating. I was finally getting into a groove, in terms of playing," he said. "Just at a time when I was playing a lot more, to get injured really hurt.

"At the same time I was coming up to the end of my contract and I wasn't sure whether they were going to re-sign me or whether I would get another job. I had all those things playing on my mind but in the end everything has worked out."

The injury is healing a lot faster than had first been predicted, thanks to lots of expert physio.

"It's progressing well. I am about a month ahead of schedule so far," said Patrick. "I still can't get back on the court `til mid June, but that is good in a way because we don't start practising for next season until the end of July. It gives me a month head start on that."

In the dog-eat-dog world of sport, Patrick believes he could not be working for better employers.

"They have been (good to me) which is surprising because this sport is pretty cut-throat," he said. "They have been real good. They have put me on a university course to allow me to do some extra studies while I am hurt and they have offered me a contract for the next two years."

That contract is still on the table, but Patrick is expected to reach a conclusion in the next few weeks.

"My original contract was a two-year deal and this year was my last year. They came to me, I didn't have to go to them, which was real positive," he said.

"I still haven't signed it yet because I am still weighing up other options."

Those options include playing on another continent, a prospect that will open up on May 21 when Bermudians are allowed to apply for a British passport.

"I just got word two weeks ago. My agent at the moment is weighing up options that include Belgium and France as well as London," he said.

"At the moment I would really like to stay in Australia but my Bermudian passport really opens up a lot of doors."

Financial security is an important aspect, Patrick said.

"Money-wise, the dollar in Australia is terrible compared to what it would get me in Bermuda or Europe, especially when I take the money back over there - it's worth half," he said.

"Here, if you make (Aus) $100,000, or whatever it may be, when you bring it back to Bermuda or to the States it only works out to $30,000 or $40,000. It's a good living, but not as much as what people over there make.

"The standard (of play in Europe) is not better. Australia is in the top four or five in the world. But money-wise, it's just way down the list. It's the only country that doesn't pay in US dollars. Every other country, from Asia to Europe, pays in US dollars."

What Patrick is seeking is a form of compromise, a deal that will allow him to continue his development in Australia until such point a firm offers comes in from another country.

"I am definitely leaning to signing here in Canberra but I would like an option in my contract so that if something better in Europe comes along I can get out of it at any stage," he said.

"My wife is from the States and my father and everyone is from that side of the world. Being in Europe is a little closer than being all the way down here in Australia."

As for next year, Patrick just hopes to stay injury free and keep improving his game.

"This is just my second year of playing professionally. I didn't have a full year this season with being hurt," he said. "I definitely want to improve. I am still young and have still got plenty of years left ahead of me, so long as I stay injury free. That gives me a long time to improve my game."