Matthew Dellavedova returns to Melbourne United

18/05/2023 20:03

Dellavedova signed a two-year deal

Melbourne United have added to their already-elite collection of local talent with the return of Australian Boomers legend and former NBA Champion Matthew Dellavedova on a two-year deal.

After helping to lead United to a top-of-the-table regular season finish in NBL22, Dellavedova got his opportunity to return to the NBA, playing a major role as a veteran leader with the Sacramento Kings, who registered the best statistical offensive season of all time in 2023.

Having forged a career defined by his chip-on-the-shoulder attitude, Dellavedova returns to the NBL with a burning hunger to deliver Melbourne a Championship and solidify his unshakable standing within Australian basketball history.

Speaking to MU Media, the 32-year-old said he is ready to showcase his ability to continue contributing to a winning team.

“I’m really excited to be coming back to Melbourne United,” he said.

“I want to come back and win a Championship here. It’s a great club that has a really strong culture and I’m happy to be back a part of it.

“I had a lot of fun the year I was here. There’s excitement about getting to play with a lot of those same guys we had success with a year ago. It was a great group of guys, some I knew and some I grew close with.

“Losing in the finals to Tasmania was tough. I know the league is even better than it was two seasons ago. I know it’s going to be challenging but I’m looking forward to it. My game is in a really good place and I’m ready for whatever comes our way.”

Across his 30 NBL games, Delly put up strong numbers, averaging around 10 points and five assists per game while connecting on 36% of his long-range looks.

Above what he brings statistically, the impact he makes outside of the box-score is perhaps the most important part of his game.

Whether it’s the knowledge and experience he brings, or his ability to out-hustle opponents and scrap for every loose ball, Head Coach Dean Vickerman believes Dellavedova’s return will once again make everyone around him better.

“There are so many things that Delly brings to the table,” he explained.

“It starts with his competitiveness and his grit to just want to win. You never feel like you’re out of a game when you’ve got him on the floor.

“He’s a leader by actions, diving on the floor, winning loose-ball possessions, taking charges, and by his play, we saw he can really get hot with his three-ball and ability to score.

“The way he assesses the game, his total understanding of how to run a team, is unmatched, and we think he can bring that from either guard position.”

Dellavedova will reunite with past teammates in Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Jo Lual-Acuil, Ariel Hukporti and Brad Newley and joins Luke Travers, Tanner Krebs, Flynn Cameron, Kyle Bowen as fully rostered players heading into the NBL24 season.

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