Jason Cadee was trapped inside his vehicle after being hit by a semi-trailer six years ago.
Today, the 25 year-old is one of the driving forces behind the Sydney Kings' early season success.
"I remember being on the M7 just driving home from a friend's house," Cadee says of the life changing experience.
"I remember being pushed onto the median strip and spinning out... I looked to my right and saw a semi-trailer bearing down on me."
Cadee says his memory starts to fade after the impact.
After passing out, he remembers waking up to find himself pinned between the driver's car door and the middle console.
It took emergency personnel almost two hours to clear Cadee from the twisted wreckage.
He remembers feeling the worst pain of his life, fearing the worst when doctors broke the news of his condition.
"I felt the worst when it first happen, but when I realised I could move my feet I knew I wasn't paralysed.
Six years on, and Cadee is an integral member of the Sydney Kings successful season.
The NBL's table-toppers have won five from their six games so far.
Standing no more than 178cm tall, what he lacks in height Cadee more than makes up in shooting baskets.
He produced a game-changer performance in a fourth quarter blitz victory over Cairns last month.
Those around Cadee firmly believe the 25-year-old will represent Australia at the highest level sooner rather later.
They include close friend and Kings teammate Julian Khazzou who played with Cadee prior to the car accident when representing the West Sydney Razorbacks.
"Jason's always been a great storyteller." Khazzouh said.
"So when he was telling me the story I thought he was embellishing it a little.
"I didn't really believe him at the time but when he showed me a photo of the car, it's surprising that anyone walked from that alive."
Kings coach Andrew Gaze also speaks highly of Cadee and what he has had to overcome to play the game at the highest level.
"He's had a tough challenge," Gaze said.
"Hopefully those darker days have passed him with the injuries he's had to overcome.
"Whenever you get a situation where your life is in threat then, what it does do - it keeps the challenges that we face in perspective."
Cadee is on top of the world at the moment and where he wants to be in terms of his rising career.
It's in contrast to the horrific moment which could have ended so tragically.
"I definitely think about it now, there's no getting away from it... It was a massive setback - every bit of me thinks I should have died that day.
"There's no way you should get away from being t-boned by a semi-trailer on a freeway."
