Delly excited to showcase grassroots basketball

Always one of Melbourne United's most anticipated games of the year, the excitement for The Grassroots Game on Sunday afternoon is through the roof.

Having grown up playing junior basketball in Maryborough, Matthew Dellavedova knows how important basketball at the grassroots level is, and can’t wait to see thousands of United fans repping their local clubs on Sunday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ahead of this weekend&#39;s Grassroots Game we spent some time learning more about our player&#39;s junior basketball journeys. <br>First up - <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewdelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@matthewdelly</a> from the Maryborough Blazers and the <a href="https://twitter.com/Bendigo_Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bendigo_Braves</a> <a href="https://t.co/GQKYs4MeSi">pic.twitter.com/GQKYs4MeSi</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1709795552635113655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“The Grassroots Game on Sunday, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“I think it’s really cool (to celebrate). Putting the junior clubs of all the boys up and seeing that there’s a clear pathway to the NBL or for the Boomers or NBA, wherever you want to go.

“Trying to connect with junior clubs around Victoria is awesome, it’s just a fun thing.”

Head Coach Dean Vickerman, who grew up playing grassroots basketball with the Warragul Warriors, echoed Delly’s words.

<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/melbourne-united-audio/head-coach-dean-vickerman-at-melbourne-united-m-25/embed" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Head Coach Dean Vickerman at Melbourne United Media Conference - 6 October, 2023"></iframe>

“I love this game. It’s a celebration of basketball at the grassroots level,” he continued.

“It’s great seeing our guys and where they’ve come from and where their basketball started for them. Having an understanding and recognition for the people that help you start and grow a love for the game.”

With the game sold out, United fans that were unable to secure a ticket will be able to tune in to the game live and free on 10 Peach or Kayo Freebies.