Dean Brogan attended the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from 1996 to 1997, before returning to Adelaide with the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League (NBL) under the rookie coaching of Australian and Adelaide basketball legend Phil Smyth. He made his NBL debut on 31 January 1998 with what would be a career high 7 points in the 36ers 125–86 home win over the Townsville Crocodiles at the Clipsal Powerhouse. At 6'7" (201 cm) tall, Brogan was a Power forward when he played basketball.