Henry Sewell joins United as NBL26 Training Player

Melbourne United are excited to announce that standout junior big-man Henry Sewell will join the team as a Training Player for NBL26.

Standing 206cm tall, the 17-year-old has already represented Australia at the junior level, winning gold at the 2022 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship and 2023 FIBA U16 Asia Championship, while also hitting the court at the U17 FIBA World Cup.

Looking ahead, Sewell says he can’t wait for the opportunity to develop alongside United’s stars.

“I know that United has a great development program, so I think it’s a great way for me to grow my game, from the interior to the perimeter, on both sides of the floor, while being around guys that have won at the highest level,” he said.

“The defensive end of the floor is where I’m really looking to develop. The challenge of guarding high-level big-men at training, working on moving my feet against quick guards was really appealing.

“Jock Landale is someone I’ve looked up to as I’ve grown up. He really grew his game with United and I’m hoping I can do the same.”

In recent years, United has had a number of former Training Players, such as Joel Foxwell and Campbell Blogg, continue with the team as Development Players, and in Foxwell’s case, progress onto the NCAA system.

Head Coach Dean Vickerman said he believes Sewell’s addition to the team will help both parties.

“Henry is an elite Australian junior with the ability to play both the four and the five,” Vickerman explained.

“He’s in the process of finishing school and then looking for the opportunity to go to the US just like Joel Foxwell did. We think Henry can have a similar impact that Joel did at our practices which we've already seen with his play in the NBL1 South with Knox.

“We really care about the development of young players in our game. It’s a mutually beneficial situation where we can help him prepare for the next step of his career while he helps us on the practice floor.”

Sewell is currently averaging 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in the NBL1 South. In 2024, he claimed a VBJL U18 Championship with the Dandenong Rangers, and was named as the Grand Final MVP.

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*Photo - FIBA