Delly an NBA wildcard?

Sunday, March 31, 2024

There's an argument to say Matthew Dellavedova been in some of the best form of his career across the NBL24 Finals.

There's few players around the world who can claim the qualities of Matthew Dellavedova.

His tenacity, will to win and unrelenting desperation to win the ball are what have made him such a vital cog of so many Boomers lineups, NBA rosters and more recently, a highly talented Melbourne team.

So there's little wonder United coach Dean Vickerman has backed Dellavedova to have another shot at the NBA.

"After our season, there may be interest from the NBA, you never know. He’s always got his hand up," Vickerman told Code Sports.

"I think he’ll leave Melbourne fairly quickly after Sunday and he’ll put himself in a position to be back in the states and, if there’s an opportunity, an injury, whatever it is, he’ll be available and ready to go for an NBA team," Vickerman added.

The 33-year-old last played with Sacramento a year ago, but there's an argument to say he's been in some of the best form of his career across the NBL24 Finals.

So hot has Dellavedova's form been, Brian Goorjian has already guaranteed him a spot at the Boomers' selection camp, ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The 2020 Olympic bronze medallist was somewhat controversially cut from the World Cup squad last March, but his incredible re-emergence with United has made him impossible to ignore.

Dellavedova and United will take on the Tasmania JackJumpers in Game 5 of the Championship Series on Sunday at John Cain Arena.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN via Kayo, with live coverage from 3.30pm AEDT on the Coca-Cola Pre-Game Show.

Read the full story here >> Basketball greats back Matthew Dellavedova’s bid for Paris Olympic berth as Melbourne United star eyes NBA return