2023–24 Melbourne United season

2023–24 Melbourne United season
Regular season champions
Head coachAustralia Dean Vickerman
CaptainAustralia Chris Goulding
ArenaJohn Cain Arena
NBL results
Record20–8 (71.4%)
Ladder1st
Finals finishRunners-up
(lost to JackJumpers 2–3)
Stats at NBL.com.au
Player records
PointsAustralia Goulding
16.9
ReboundsSouth Sudan Lual-Acuil
7.9
AssistsAustralia Dellavedova
6.0
All statistics correct as of 31 March 2024.

The 2023–24 Melbourne United season was the 41st season of the franchise in the National Basketball League (NBL), and their 10th under the banner of Melbourne United.

On 19 April 2023, head coach Dean Vickerman signed a four-year contract extension with the club.[1][2]

Roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

2023–24 Melbourne United roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
C 0 South Sudan Lual-Acuil, Jo 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 103 kg (227 lb) 30 – (1994-04-26)26 April 1994
G 1 Australia Triplett, Zac 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 23 – (2001-10-19)19 October 2001
G 3 Australia Blogg, Campbell (DP) 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 88 kg (194 lb) 21 – (2003-09-09)9 September 2003
G/F 4 Australia Newley, Brad 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 96 kg (212 lb) 39 – (1985-02-18)18 February 1985
G 8 Australia Dellavedova, Matthew 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 91 kg (201 lb) 34 – (1990-09-08)8 September 1990
F 9 South Sudan Machar, Malith (DP) 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 25 – (1999-06-09)9 June 1999
G 11 New Zealand Cameron, Flynn 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 24 – (2000-06-30)30 June 2000
G 13 Australia Krebs, Tanner 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 28 – (1996-01-04)4 January 1996
F 14 Australia Bowen, Kyle 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 101 kg (223 lb) 24 – (2000-10-06)6 October 2000
C 15 Germany Hukporti, Ariel (NS) 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) 113 kg (249 lb) 22 – (2002-04-12)12 April 2002
G 21 United States Clark, Ian (I) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 79 kg (174 lb) 33 – (1991-03-07)7 March 1991
G/F 23 Australia Travers, Luke 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 94 kg (207 lb) 23 – (2001-09-03)3 September 2001
F 30 Australia Koppens, Tom (DP) 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 21 – (2003-04-02)2 April 2003
G 43 Australia Goulding, Chris (C) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 92 kg (203 lb) 36 – (1988-10-24)24 October 1988
G 51 New Zealand Ili, Shea 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 88 kg (194 lb) 32 – (1992-10-06)6 October 1992
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager
  • Australia Stephan Semerci
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  • (TP) Training player
  • (SRP) Special restricted player
  • (NS) Next Star player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 24 January 2024

Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Development
PG Matthew Dellavedova Shea Ili Campbell Blogg
SG Ian Clark Flynn Cameron Zac Triplett
SF Chris Goulding Tanner Krebs Malith Machar
PF Luke Travers Brad Newley Kyle Bowen
C Jo Lual-Acuil Ariel Hukporti Robert Loe

Standings

Ladder

Pos 2023–24 NBL season
Team Pld W L PCT Last 5 Streak Home Away PF PA PP
1 Melbourne United 28 20 8 71.43% 3–2 W1 11–3 9–5 2615 2454 106.56%
2 Perth Wildcats 28 17 11 60.71% 2–3 L2 10–4 7–7 2630 2563 102.61%
3 Tasmania JackJumpers 28 16 12 57.14% 4–1 W4 8–6 8–6 2564 2378 107.82%
4 Illawarra Hawks 28 14 14 50.00% 3–2 L1 8–6 6–8 2547 2518 101.15%
5 Sydney Kings 28 13 15 46.43% 2–3 W1 7–7 6–8 2672 2602 102.69%
6 New Zealand Breakers 28 13 15 46.43% 3–2 L1 8–6 5–9 2498 2480 100.73%
7 Brisbane Bullets 28 13 15 46.43% 2–3 L1 8–6 5–9 2458 2534 97.00%
8 Cairns Taipans 28 12 16 42.86% 1–4 W1 7–7 5–9 2506 2589 96.79%
9 Adelaide 36ers 28 12 16 42.86% 3–2 W1 9–5 3–11 2457 2563 95.86%
10 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 28 10 18 35.71% 1–4 L4 7–7 3–11 2425 2691 90.12%

Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2024. Source: NBL.com.au

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the overall points percentage will determine order of seeding.

Ladder progression

Leader and qualification to semifinals
Qualification to semifinals
Qualification to play-in games
Last place
2023–24 NBL season
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920
Adelaide 36ers9101097888910101010101099999
Brisbane Bullets12676576667996545657
Cairns Taipans86343767776679767888
Illawarra Hawks10891091010101088885686444
Melbourne United31111111111111111111
New Zealand Breakers475610999899768978766
Perth Wildcats65888654353222222222
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix5975234553555781010101010
Sydney Kings23234222442434454575
Tasmania JackJumpers74425433224343333333
Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2024. Source: NBL.com.au

Game log

Pre-season

Main article: 2023 NBL pre-season
2023 NBL Blitz game log
Total: 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
September: 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 16 September @ Brisbane W 92–96 Matthew Dellavedova (28) Ariel Hukporti (8) Shea Ili (4) Gold Coast Convention Centre
n/a 		1–0
2 18 September Illawarra W 85–71 Matthew Dellavedova (20) Luke Travers (8) Krebs, Travers (4) Gold Coast Convention Centre
n/a 		2–0
3 20 September Sydney W 105–87 Luke Travers (21) Ariel Hukporti (8) Shea Ili (9) Gold Coast Convention Centre
n/a 		3–0

Regular season

Main article: 2023–24 NBL regular season
2023–24 game log
Total: 20–8 (Home: 11–3; Road: 9–5)
September: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 28 September S.E. Melbourne W 82–67 Luke Travers (20) Ariel Hukporti (14) Dellavedova, Goulding (4) John Cain Arena
10,175 		1–0
October: 7–1 (Home: 3–1; Road: 4–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
2 1 October @ Adelaide W 74–82 Dellavedova, Goulding (19) Ariel Hukporti (10) Dellavedova, Travers (4) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
8,165 		2–0
3 8 October Tasmania L 75–80 Ariel Hukporti (15) Luke Travers (8) Matthew Dellavedova (6) John Cain Arena
10,175 		2–1
4 13 October @ Perth W 81–88 Clark, Goulding (18) Ariel Hukporti (7) Matthew Dellavedova (6) Perth Arena
10,982 		3–1
5 15 October Brisbane W 89–78 Chris Goulding (18) Ariel Hukporti (12) Shea Ili (8) John Cain Arena
9,327 		4–1
6 20 October @ Illawarra W 91–101 Ariel Hukporti (21) Ariel Hukporti (10) Shea Ili (8) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
2,927 		5–1
7 22 October New Zealand W 97–88 Ian Clark (18) Ariel Hukporti (6) Shea Ili (4) John Cain Arena
9,579 		6–1
8 27 October @ Tasmania W 82–90 Ian Clark (19) Luke Travers (13) Shea Ili (6) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		7–1
9 29 October Illawarra W 96–84 Chris Goulding (33) Luke Travers (11) Tanner Krebs (4) John Cain Arena
9,067 		8–1
November: 2–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
10 6 November Perth L 95–102 (OT) Jo Lual-Acuil (25) Kyle Bowen (16) Dellavedova, Ili (6) John Cain Arena
10,175 		8–2
11 12 November @ S.E. Melbourne W 83–92 Chris Goulding (27) Jo Lual-Acuil (11) Shea Ili (4) John Cain Arena
10,175 		9–2
12 19 November Sydney W 105–93 Chris Goulding (35) Luke Travers (12) Shea Ili (9) John Cain Arena
10,175 		10–2
December: 4–2 (Home: 3–1; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
13 3 December Cairns L 103–115 Chris Goulding (23) Jo Lual-Acuil (9) Matthew Dellavedova (9) John Cain Arena
9,384 		10–3
14 10 December Brisbane W 103–68 Chris Goulding (21) Ariel Hukporti (8) Matthew Dellavedova (5) John Cain Arena
9,635 		11–3
15 14 December @ S.E. Melbourne W 78–106 Jo Lual-Acuil (17) Ariel Hukporti (8) Matthew Dellavedova (8) John Cain Arena
7,672 		12–3
16 16 December Adelaide W 107–96 Shea Ili (16) Jo Lual-Acuil (12) Matthew Dellavedova (7) John Cain Arena
7,757 		13–3
17 23 December Perth W 109–103 (OT) Ian Clark (25) Ariel Hukporti (12) Shea Ili (7) John Cain Arena
10,175 		14–3
18 31 December @ Cairns L 95–78 Jo Lual-Acuil (15) Hukporti, Travers (7) Dellavedova, Travers (2) Cairns Convention Centre
4,802 		14–4
January: 3–3 (Home: 0–0; Road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
19 4 January @ Sydney W 85–101 Shea Ili (19) Jo Lual-Acuil (9) Matthew Dellavedova (9) Sydney SuperDome
12,898 		15–4
20 6 January @ Adelaide L 100–96 Tanner Krebs (23) Jo Lual-Acuil (17) Matthew Dellavedova (9) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
9,564 		15–5
21 12 January @ New Zealand W 81–82 Chris Goulding (24) Luke Travers (11) Matthew Dellavedova (10) TSB Stadium
2,632 		16–5
22 19 January @ Tasmania L 107–86 Chris Goulding (16) Ariel Hukporti (8) Matthew Dellavedova (8) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		16–6
23 26 January @ Brisbane W 77–93 Jo Lual-Acuil (33) Jo Lual-Acuil (13) Shea Ili (6) Nissan Arena
5,291 		17–6
24 28 January @ Sydney L 98–86 Luke Travers (15) Luke Travers (10) Matthew Dellavedova (6) Sydney SuperDome
12,921 		17–7
February: 3–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
25 3 February S.E. Melbourne W 99–83 Jo Lual-Acuil (16) Ariel Hukporti (10) Matthew Dellavedova (8) John Cain Arena
10,175 		18–7
26 11 February New Zealand W 94–81 Jo Lual-Acuil (19) Jo Lual-Acuil (11) Shea Ili (5) John Cain Arena
10,175 		19–7
27 16 February @ Cairns L 97–88 Ian Clark (20) Luke Travers (13) Matthew Dellavedova (5) Cairns Convention Centre
4,378 		19–8
28 18 February Illawarra W 92–87 Chris Goulding (19) Hukporti, Lual-Acuil (5) Matthew Dellavedova (5) John Cain Arena
10,175 		20–8
2023–24 season schedule

Postseason

Main article: 2024 NBL Finals
2024 finals game log
Total: 4–4 (Home: 3–2; Road: 1–2)
Semifinals: 2–1 (Home: 2–0; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 7 March Illawarra W 115–106 (OT) Matthew Dellavedova (30) Jo Lual-Acuil (9) Matthew Dellavedova (10) John Cain Arena
8,232 		1–0
2 10 March @ Illawarra L 113–108 (OT) Matthew Dellavedova (20) Lual-Acuil, Travers (7) Matthew Dellavedova (8) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
5,631 		1–1
3 13 March Illawarra W 100–94 Shea Ili (22) Luke Travers (11) Matthew Dellavedova (5) John Cain Arena
6,288 		2–1
NBL Finals: 2–3 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 17 March Tasmania W 104–81 Chris Goulding (22) Jo Lual-Acuil (11) Matthew Dellavedova (6) John Cain Arena
9,108 		1–0
2 22 March @ Tasmania L 82–77 Shea Ili (20) Jo Lual-Acuil (11) Matthew Dellavedova (7) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		1–1
3 24 March Tasmania L 91–93 Matthew Dellavedova (21) Ariel Hukporti (9) Matthew Dellavedova (8) John Cain Arena
10,175 		1–2
4 28 March @ Tasmania W 86–88 Ian Clark (18) Luke Travers (11) Matthew Dellavedova (6) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		2–2
5 31 March Tasmania L 81–83 Jo Lual-Acuil (14) Ariel Hukporti (15) Matthew Dellavedova (7) John Cain Arena
10,175 		2–3
2024 finals schedule

Transactions

Re-signed

Player Date Signed Contract Ref.
Ariel Hukporti 31 March 2023 1-year deal (next star) [3]
Campbell Blogg 13 April 2023 1-year deal [4]
Brad Newley 24 April 2023 1-year deal [5]
Malith Machar 9 June 2023 2-year deal [6]
Zac Triplett 18 September 2023 1-year deal [7]

Additions

Player Date Signed Contract Former team Ref.
Flynn Cameron 11 April 2023 3-year deal (club option) UC Riverside Highlanders [8]
Tanner Krebs 11 April 2023 3-year deal (club option) Brisbane Bullets [9]
Jo Lual-Acuil 12 April 2023 2-year deal (club option) Nanjing Tongxi Monkey Kings [10]
Luke Travers 17 April 2023 3-year deal Perth Wildcats [11]
Kyle Bowen 20 April 2023 2-year deal Saint Mary's Gaels [12]
Matthew Dellavedova 17 May 2023 2-year deal Sacramento Kings [13]
Robert Loe 28 July 2023 1-year deal (NRP) New Zealand Breakers [14]
Ian Clark 4 August 2023 1-year deal Adelaide 36ers [15]
Tom Koppens 19 September 2023 1-year deal Sandringham Sabres [16]

Subtractions

Player Reason left Date Left New Team Ref.
Mason Peatling Free agent 5 April 2023 Illawarra Hawks [17]
David Okwera Free agent 5 April 2023 Perth Wildcats [18]
Makuach Maluach Free agent 12 April 2023 Sydney Kings [19]
Josh Duach Released 17 April 2023 North Gold Coast Seahawks [20]
Isaac Humphries Free agent 22 April 2023 Adelaide 36ers [21]
Marcus Lee Free agent 22 June 2023 Tasmania JackJumpers [22]
Rayjon Tucker Free agent 16 July 2023 Reyer Venezia [23]
Lachlan Barker Free agent 24 July 2023 Tasmania JackJumpers [24]
David Barlow Retired 10 August 2023 Melbourne United (assistant) [25]
Robert Loe Released (NRP) 23 November 2023 Auckland Tuatara [26]

Awards

Club awards

See also

References

  1. ^ "Coach Vickerman commits to United NBL charge until 2028". bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Coach Vickerman commits to United NBL charge until 2028". ESPN.com.au. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Ariel Hukporti set to return to the court for NBL24". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  4. ^ "United add Campbell Blogg as a Development Player". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Newley Signs For 11th NBL Season". NBL.com.au. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Two More Seasons for High-Flying Machar". NBL.com.au. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Melbourne elevates sharpshooter to main roster". NBL.com.au. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  8. ^ "United sign Kiwi dynamo Flynn Cameron". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Tanner Krebs commits to Melbourne United on three-year deal". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Lual-Acuil Jr. signs with United". ESPN.com.au. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Josh Giddey breaks major NBL move". TheSportingNews.com. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Former Wildcat Makes Way to Melbourne". NBL.com.au. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Matthew Dellavedova is returning to Melbourne United". ESPN.com.au. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Loe joins United as Nominated Replacement Player". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Ian Clark agrees to deal with Melbourne United". ESPN.com.au. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Melbourne United elevate Triplett, sign Koppens as DP for NBL24". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Mason Peatling Joins the Illawarra Hawks on Two-Year Deal". Hawks.com.au. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  18. ^ "David Okwera Returns to Perth to Join the Cats". Wildcats.com.au. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Kings add explosive Maluach to NBL24 roster". SydneyKings.com. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Melbourne United to release Josh Duach". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Isaac Humphries agrees to join 36ers". ESPN.com.au. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  22. ^ "JackJumpers sign big man Marcus Lee". JackJumpers.com.au. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Rayjon Tucker signs with Umana Reyer Venezia". Eurohoops.net. 16 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Barker signs with hometown side". NBL.com.au. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  25. ^ "Aussie hoops legend joins United staff". NBL.com.au. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Loe finishes United stint". NBL.com.au. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Goulding, Ili, Dellavedova honoured at United awards night". MelbourneUTD.com.au. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.