NBL24 Taking Shape: Melbourne United’s Free Agency breakdown

It’s been a busy few weeks at MU HQ, and the 2023-24 NBL Season is now taking shape.

Led by Head Coach Dean Vickerman, United is in a great place early in the Free Agency period and the group looks poised for a huge NBL24 campaign.

As well as multiple exciting player signings the NBL also released United's 2023-24 schedule. A schedule considered to be one of the best yet.

In case you missed any of the exciting announcements, here's who is locked in for NBL24.

Dean Vickerman: Signed through NBL28

The club’s leader, Vickerman and the organisation came together and made the decision to extend the coach’s contract for a further four seasons on top of NBL24.

A three-time NBL Championship winning coach, twice with United, Vickerman has been credited with helping turn MU into one of the league’s strongest defensive units.

Coming off a stint as the Australian Boomers interim head coach, look for Vickerman to put together another strong season and lead United back into the postseason.

Chris Goulding: Signed through NBL25

Fresh off one of his most spectacular seasons, Chris Goulding will once again look to lead MU towards a deep playoff run.

The sharpshooter led the league in three-point makes in NBL23, which saw him climb up the all-time leaderboard for made triples, ultimately finishing the season with the equal 10th-most long-range makes in NBL history with 1,049.

Having spent time this offseason further honing his craft with Paris Basketball, look for Goulding to be as dangerous as ever next season.

Shea Ili: Signed through NBL25

Despite playing only 14 games last season, there is confidence that Shea Ili will be back at his electric best ahead of the NBL24 season.

The Kiwi dynamo is a proven winner, having helped MU to a 11-3 record in the games he played across NBL23, to go along with his pair of NBL Championships.

Lauded as the league’s best perimeter defender, fans can expect to see Ili back on the floor hounding opposing guards and pushing the pace for Melbourne.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr: Signed through NBL25 (second year player option)

In one of the largest signings of the NBL offseason, the return of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr turned heads around the league.

The former MVP finalist ended his last NBL campaign as undoubtedly the league’s most dominant big-man, ranking number one in blocks per game as well as top five in rebounding and top 10 in scoring.

Despite having only played three seasons with MU, Lual-Acuil Jr has already etched his name into the club’s history, ranking number one all-time in blocks, third in rebounds, and fourth in points.

As he looks to use the upcoming season as a launching pad towards the NBA, look for JLA to put up some monster numbers in NBL24.

Luke Travers: Signed through NBL26

After four seasons with the Perth Wildcats, Luke Travers' move to Melbourne United looks to be one of the biggest signings of the offseason.

An already established star within the league at the age of 21, Travers put together perhaps his best stretch of basketball to close the NBL23 season, averaging 10.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 50% from beyond the arc across his final 16 games.

A versatile forward with the ability to defend multiple positions and initiate the offence, Travers projects to be a perfect fit within Vickerman’s system.

Ariel Hukporti: Signed through NBL24 (Next Star)

A torn achilles kept German-Togolese Next Star Ariel Hukporti on the sidelines for the entire NBL23 season, but now, fully recovered, Big A will once again sky high for United.

The towering big man finished his debut season in the NBL as the league leader in defensive rating, and became the only player to ever average over a block per game before their 20th birthday.

Add to this a burning motivation to help lead this group to a Championship, Hukporti is eagerly anticipating his return to the court.

Tanner Krebs: Signed through NBL26 (third year player option)

Coming over from Brisbane, Tanner Krebs brings with him experience, shooting and athleticism at the wing position.

Having started 15 of his 16 appearances for the Bullets last season, Krebs is comfortable taking on a larger scoring role, no matter the time of game, while providing a defensive edge that Vickerman is always looking for.

Standing close to 200cm, the Tasmanian native brings with him a similar versatility to Travers in terms of handling the ball and guarding multiple positions.

Flynn Cameron: Signed through NBL26 (third year mutual option)

The son of New Zealand basketball legend Pero Cameron, Flynn Cameron will bring his exciting brand of high-octane guard-play to United for the next few seasons.

Having mastered his craft across his five years of NCAA basketball, Cameron showcased his ability to impact the game at the senior level for the New Zealand Tall Blacks during the FIBA Asia Cup.

Across the seven-game tournament, Cameron led his nation in points (13.3) and assists (4.9), helping his group to a Bronze Medal finish.

Kyle Bowen: Signed through NBL25

A bruising big man out of Western Australia, Kyle Bowen has made it clear he only cares about one thing: winning.

Four years playing at St Mary’s University following a Championship season as a Development Player with the Perth Wildcats have moulded the 203cm interior presence into a highly-rated player that prides himself on hustling hard.

With pre-existing relationships with Luke Travers (WA state teams) and Tanner Krebs (St Mary’s), Bowen is set up well to comfortably slot into Vickerman’s rotation from day one.

Zac Triplett: Signed through NBL24 (Development Player)

Melbourne young gun Zac Triplett will enter his third season with the club as a Development Player having shown flashes of brilliance across limited court time.

A lights-out long-range shooter who has shown a promising ability to lock down guards on the perimeter, Triplett could be poised for his biggest season yet.

He is currently playing for the Keilor Thunder in the NBL1 South, averaging over 17 points per game.

Campbell Blogg: Signed through NBL24 (Development Player)

The youngest member of United’s playing group so far, Campbell Blogg comes in following a year with the club as a training player.

Standing 194cm with a deadly outside jumpshot and knack for finding teammates in the right spot, Blogg’s skill has been recognised at the Youth League, where he won MVP in 2022, and NBL1 level, with the Bayside product being named captain of the Sandringham Sabres men's team.

Make sure you’re keeping up with all of United’s roster moves across the remainder of the offseason through the club’s app on iOs and Android.

The only way to make sure you don’t miss a second of the action next season is by becoming a member today!

NBL24 Memberships are ON SALE NOW. As well as saving up to 40% on the price of walk-up tickets, members will receive exclusive merch discounts, access to Melbourne United Super Clinics, priority access to John Cain Arena for home games, access to member functions, post-game meet and greets and much more.

MELBOURNE UNITED'S HOME GAME SCHEDULE: