{"id":331370,"date":"2023-05-18T20:03:24","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T18:03:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/?p=331370"},"modified":"2023-05-18T20:04:06","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T18:04:06","slug":"matthew-dellavedova-returns-to-melbourne-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/matthew-dellavedova-returns-to-melbourne-united\/","title":{"rendered":"Matthew Dellavedova returns to Melbourne United"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melbourne United<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Speaking to MU Media, the 32-year-old said he is ready to showcase his ability to continue contributing to a winning team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really excited to be coming back to Melbourne United,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to come back and win a Championship here. It\u2019s a great club that has a really strong culture and I\u2019m happy to be back a part of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a lot of fun the year I was here. There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cLosing in the finals to Tasmania was tough. I know the league is even better than it was two seasons ago. I know it\u2019s going to be challenging but I\u2019m looking forward to it. My game is in a really good place and I\u2019m ready for whatever comes our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Above what he brings statistically, the impact he makes outside of the box-score is perhaps the most important part of his game.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s return will once again make everyone around him better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many things that Delly brings to the table,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt starts with his competitiveness and his grit to just want to win. You never feel like you\u2019re out of a game when you\u2019ve got him on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

He's baaaaack!
Boomers legend and former @NBA<\/a> Champion @matthewdelly<\/a> \u00a0is returning to United on a 2-year deal.
Delly returns to Melbourne after a season with the @SacramentoKings<\/a> and with a passion to get this city another \ud83c\udfc6
Welcome home Delly!
More: https:\/\/t.co\/sSMGnJ10qD<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LGCMwWUybK<\/a><\/p>\n

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) May 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n