Latest news with #MelbourneUnited
West Australian
30-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
New York guard adds 'sauce' to United's NBL title bid
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman hopes the addition of lightning-quick import Tyson Walker can help produce the up-tempo game he believes can snare a breakthrough NBL championship. Walker has been confirmed as Melbourne's second import for the 2025/26 season, joining fellow American guard Milton Doyle on a revamped roster. The 24-year-old's signing comes as Vickerman chases a fresh look to his next title bid after consecutive championship series defeats over the last two seasons. "We look at our style of play for this year and we have the ability to play a little bit faster and put more pressure on the basketball, and Tyson offers that in spades," Vickerman said. "He's quick, he's a New York point guard, there's some flair and some sauce in the way that he plays, and I think he's really going to entertain our fans." Walker spent two seasons at Northeastern University before transferring to Michigan State for his final three seasons. He finished his collegiate career as the only player in NCAA Division 1 history with at least 2000 points, 500 assists and 200 steals. Walker, who played in the NBA G-League with the Dallas Mavericks-affiliated Texas Legends, said he was excited about the prospect of spending his first season abroad with perennial NBL title contenders Melbourne. "They can expect a competitor," Walker said. "Someone who's always going to play as hard as he can to try to win, a little bit of flashy stuff, not too much, and just a lot of energy." Walker and Doyle join Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Finn Delany, Kyle Bowen, Tanner Krebs, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson, Dash Daniels, Campbell Blogg and Tom Koppens on Melbourne's roster for the upcoming season.
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
New York guard adds 'sauce' to United's NBL title bid
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman hopes the addition of lightning-quick import Tyson Walker can help produce the up-tempo game he believes can snare a breakthrough NBL championship. Walker has been confirmed as Melbourne's second import for the 2025/26 season, joining fellow American guard Milton Doyle on a revamped roster. The 24-year-old's signing comes as Vickerman chases a fresh look to his next title bid after consecutive championship series defeats over the last two seasons. "We look at our style of play for this year and we have the ability to play a little bit faster and put more pressure on the basketball, and Tyson offers that in spades," Vickerman said. "He's quick, he's a New York point guard, there's some flair and some sauce in the way that he plays, and I think he's really going to entertain our fans." Walker spent two seasons at Northeastern University before transferring to Michigan State for his final three seasons. He finished his collegiate career as the only player in NCAA Division 1 history with at least 2000 points, 500 assists and 200 steals. Walker, who played in the NBA G-League with the Dallas Mavericks-affiliated Texas Legends, said he was excited about the prospect of spending his first season abroad with perennial NBL title contenders Melbourne. "They can expect a competitor," Walker said. "Someone who's always going to play as hard as he can to try to win, a little bit of flashy stuff, not too much, and just a lot of energy." Walker and Doyle join Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Finn Delany, Kyle Bowen, Tanner Krebs, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson, Dash Daniels, Campbell Blogg and Tom Koppens on Melbourne's roster for the upcoming season.
7NEWS
17-06-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
NBA championship winner, Boomers star Matthew Dellavedova lists Melbourne home
Loading content... After inking a deal with a new team, basketball star Matthew Dellavedova and wife Anna have listed their Melbourne home, little more than a year after buying it. They're hoping to sell the Sandringham property for a price in the range of $4.5 million to $4.7 million. The home's on the market because the now former Melbourne United guard signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Kings earlier this year. Cotality records show the home was built in 1890, and was previously sold in April 2024 for $4.825 million. The marketing describes the property as "a rare architectural treasure standing as one of Sandringham's most revered heritage residences". "Showcasing historical distinction and contemporary prestige, intricate period craftsmanship defines this landmark estate of remarkable scale," the marketing states. Sitting on 897 square metres, the house features an outdoor space with a terrace, pool, spa and barbecue kitchen. An open-plan kitchen also opens to the landscaped garden. The home also contains six double bedrooms, including a deluxe ground floor bedroom suite; as well as high ceilings, fireplaces, a cellar and a workshop. Earlier this year, Dellavedova made headlines when he declined the NBL Grand FinalMVP honour after Melbourne United lost the championship series 3-2 to the Illawarra Hawks. Dellavedova declined to accept the award, saying that it belonged to Hawks player Will 'Davo' Hickey instead. Dellavedova, one of the chief villains among Hawks fans during the championship series, was applauded for the display of sportsmanship. In 2016, Dellavedova won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside legendary scorer LeBron James. Afterwards, he signed a four-year deal to play with the Milwaukee Bucks, although he returned to Cleveland from 2018 to 2021. He also later played for the Sacramento Kings before returning to Australia. Dellavedova was also part of the national Boomers team that won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Expressions of interest for the home close on June 30.
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
The Story Behind 2024 BAL MVP And DPOY Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.'s Return To BAL
One of the familiar faces returning to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs currently underway in Pretoria, South Africa, is Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. He didn't have to come back; after all, what more was there to prove? In Season 4 of the BAL, Acuil swept the league's top individual honours, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, scoring champion, and selections to both the All-BAL First and All-Defensive Teams. His dominance was clear and unquestionable, yet those accolades were just the latest chapter in a career shaped by some of the world's toughest basketball environments. A seasoned professional with experience across Australia, Europe, the United States, and Asia, Acuil's résumé also includes an NBL championship with Melbourne United in 2021. However, when the season ended and his team fell just short of a championship, something deeper lingered. In an interview with during the BAL Playoffs in Pretoria, Acuil shared that it wasn't unfinished business in the usual sense that brought him back, it was a shared purpose, brotherhood, and a desire to play alongside family. 'Yeah, this guy over here,' Acuil laughed, gesturing to Majok Deng, who was seated nearby during the interview. 'Majok and I talked about it in Kigali after that last game. We just wanted to play together. Of course, you want to win the league, but more than anything, we wanted to have that experience of being on the same team.' That desire to reconnect and pursue something meaningful together brought him back to the continent and to a league that continues to grow in intensity, talent, and international attention. On paper, Acuil had options. With pro stints in Turkey, China, and Australia, his résumé was already stamped with global success. But Al Ittihad offered something different. Something personal. When the Egyptian powerhouse came calling, Acuil listened. They had already signed Majok Deng, and the opportunity felt rare, more than a roster move, it was a reunion grounded in trust, chemistry, and an unfinished storyline. 'I knew I wasn't going to be able to make the first conference games in Rabat, and they were okay with it,' Acuil said. 'Some teams were hesitant because I wasn't going to be there for the conference games, but this was the one team that was fine with me coming in late.' Acuil wasn't available for the early stages of the competition, missing the Kalahari Conference entirely, a stretch in which Al Ittihad went a flawless 6-0. With just one practice under his belt before suiting up, Acuil immediately sensed that the team was built on and was working towards one common goal, setting aside individual glory. 'Everyone seems very one-track-minded. Everyone wants to win the League,' he observed. 'No one's really too worried about stats or individual accolades. Everyone kind of has one goal in mind… so yeah, it's been kind of refreshing being around them.' An added layer to this team dynamic is the opportunity to create lifetime memories to later reminisce on with Deng, who he once again has been able to suit up with. 'Being able to be out there with somebody that you consider a brother, these are things that, when we get older, we can sit down and just talk trash to each other about.' Last season, Acuil and Majok helped lead Al Ahly to the BAL final, only to fall short of the title. The sting of that loss was real, but so were the lessons it left behind. 'My mindset stays the same, last year is last year. We lost. It is what it is,' Acuil said, steady and composed. 'Obviously, it hurt in that moment, but over time, you heal and move on. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be.' This year, he's not chasing ghosts. There's no weight of redemption, just a calm focus and a renewed sense of freedom. 'I'm not putting too much pressure on winning,' he added. 'I'm just trying to enjoy the League as much as I can.' Acuil has also seen how far the league has come, and where it's headed. 'Yes, 100%,' Acuil said when asked if the league is earning international respect. 'The only thing that's tough for the BAL is the timing of the tournament. But as far as the players, the calibre is getting better every year.' Still, he remains pragmatic about the league's hurdles. 'With players in Europe and other places, it's hard to bring the best of the best here because of the scheduling,' he noted. 'But it's definitely growing.' Despite all the buzz and Al Ittihad's unbeaten streak, Acuil remains remarkably unfazed by the idea of pressure. 'Pressure has always felt like an illusion to me,' he said. 'It's something that comes from outside, from what people say. We just go out there and play basketball. If we win, we win. If we don't, we don't. It's really that simple.' For Acuil, pressure isn't about buzzer-beaters or championship moments. It's something far heavier, and far beyond the court. 'Pressure is people out in the world who can't feed their kids, or those battling illness, cancer, that's real pressure. Basketball is a privilege.' That perspective, forged through experience and gratitude, keeps him grounded when the stakes feel highest. He doesn't just play to win, he plays to stay present. 'You win the game, you lose the game, it doesn't change who I am, or who the coach is. Pressure is nothing. This is not pressure.' That same clarity has helped Acuil remain grounded and draw back from past experiences to help guide his team when it matters most, like in Al Ittihad's overtime thriller against Morocco's FUS de Rabat, a game riddled with tension, lead changes, and late-game chaos. 'Personally, the growth comes from just being as present as possible,' Acuil reflected. 'Shutting the noise out, figuring out the next play, finding ways to be effective.' Even after a mental lapse late in regulation which led to FUS Rabat's Nisre Zouzoua scoring the equalising three-pointer that sent the game into overtime and the crowd into a frenzy, Acuil managed to reset. 'At the end of the fourth, I had a mental lapse,' he admitted. 'Going into overtime, it was just about reassuring our rules, making sure there were no more slip-ups.' That accountability set the tone. With a narrow lead in OT, execution became everything for the team who secured a hard-fought 86-83 win. 'Closing the game out, the coach did a good job communicating with us. We were up three, so we just wanted to play the foul game and kill the time that way.' What began as a simple wish to share the floor one more time with his brother Majok Deng has turned into something much bigger. With Al Ittihad now through to the semi-finals and firmly in the title conversation, it's natural to wonder, could this be Acuil's final chapter? A championship would be a fitting sendoff. But Acuil isn't thinking about endings just yet. 'I don't know,' he said with a smirk. 'We'll cross that bridge when we get there. But I don't think it's time to write me off. I'm here, so we'll see what happens.'
The Advertiser
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
American guard Doyle leaves JackJumpers for NBL rivals
American guard Milton Doyle is set to confirm a move to Melbourne United after bringing an end to his successful NBL stint with the Tasmania JackJumpers. Doyle has been one of the league's premier guards over the past three seasons, averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He made 96 appearances for Tasmania and was a key piece of the puzzle in the club's historic 2023/24 championship under coach Scott Roth. "We wish Milton and his family all the best for the future," JackJumpers chief operating officer Darren Smith said in a statement. "He's been a big part of our club for the last three years and we thank him for everything he has given during his time with us. Doyle, who was also named Tasmania's MVP in 2023, is currently in Puerto Rico playing for Indios de Mayaguez. The 31-year-old was part of the Brooklyn Nets as a two-way player in 2017-18 and has spent most of his career between the NBA G-League and Europe. Melbourne are coming off successive NBL Championship Series defeats, and have had top-two regular-season finishes in four of the past five years. But they have been forced to rethink their recruiting strategy this year, having lost high-profile locals Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White. Doyle, who has reportedly agreed a one-year deal with United, is likely to be one of three imports on the roster. Melbourne already have Chris Goulding, Finn Delany, Shea Ili, Kyle Bowen, Tanner Krebs, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson and Next Star recruit Dash Daniels signed for the upcoming season. American guard Milton Doyle is set to confirm a move to Melbourne United after bringing an end to his successful NBL stint with the Tasmania JackJumpers. Doyle has been one of the league's premier guards over the past three seasons, averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He made 96 appearances for Tasmania and was a key piece of the puzzle in the club's historic 2023/24 championship under coach Scott Roth. "We wish Milton and his family all the best for the future," JackJumpers chief operating officer Darren Smith said in a statement. "He's been a big part of our club for the last three years and we thank him for everything he has given during his time with us. Doyle, who was also named Tasmania's MVP in 2023, is currently in Puerto Rico playing for Indios de Mayaguez. The 31-year-old was part of the Brooklyn Nets as a two-way player in 2017-18 and has spent most of his career between the NBA G-League and Europe. Melbourne are coming off successive NBL Championship Series defeats, and have had top-two regular-season finishes in four of the past five years. But they have been forced to rethink their recruiting strategy this year, having lost high-profile locals Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White. Doyle, who has reportedly agreed a one-year deal with United, is likely to be one of three imports on the roster. Melbourne already have Chris Goulding, Finn Delany, Shea Ili, Kyle Bowen, Tanner Krebs, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson and Next Star recruit Dash Daniels signed for the upcoming season. American guard Milton Doyle is set to confirm a move to Melbourne United after bringing an end to his successful NBL stint with the Tasmania JackJumpers. Doyle has been one of the league's premier guards over the past three seasons, averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He made 96 appearances for Tasmania and was a key piece of the puzzle in the club's historic 2023/24 championship under coach Scott Roth. "We wish Milton and his family all the best for the future," JackJumpers chief operating officer Darren Smith said in a statement. "He's been a big part of our club for the last three years and we thank him for everything he has given during his time with us. Doyle, who was also named Tasmania's MVP in 2023, is currently in Puerto Rico playing for Indios de Mayaguez. The 31-year-old was part of the Brooklyn Nets as a two-way player in 2017-18 and has spent most of his career between the NBA G-League and Europe. Melbourne are coming off successive NBL Championship Series defeats, and have had top-two regular-season finishes in four of the past five years. But they have been forced to rethink their recruiting strategy this year, having lost high-profile locals Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White. Doyle, who has reportedly agreed a one-year deal with United, is likely to be one of three imports on the roster. Melbourne already have Chris Goulding, Finn Delany, Shea Ili, Kyle Bowen, Tanner Krebs, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson and Next Star recruit Dash Daniels signed for the upcoming season.
