NBL27 Preview - Preseason v B.LEAGUE UNITED

After a long wait, Melbourne United basketball is back!

We’re set for our first hit-out of the preseason on Sunday afternoon against the visiting B.LEAGUE UNITED from Japan at Courtside from 2pm.

With the majority of our NBL27 local core set to suit up for the matchup, this will be a great opportunity for fans to get a feeling for how our new pieces have meshed across the offseason.

WHAT’S THE WORD?

In his first taste of NBL competition since 2009, Joe Ingles said he can’t wait to get on the court alongside his new teammates.

Speaking about the official start to our preseason, Ingles voiced his excitement about the group the front office has assembled this season.

“It's been awesome,” he said. 

“We've obviously got a very deep, competitive team… It's been super competitive, vocal, very detail oriented.

“Just keep building over this next month or whatever we've got. 

“We're deep, but we're also pretty versatile. Guys can play (different positions), LT can play one through five. Sam can play the four and the five… We got a lot of depth in a lot of positions.”

WHO’S HOT, WHO'S NOT

Many of United’s stars have been shining this offseason playing in the NBL1, and will be hoping to carry their form into this first preseason game.

Tom Wilson, Christian D’Angelo and Malith Machar have all averaged over 20 points per game, while Kyle Bowen put up close to a double-double each evening.

Abroad, Luke Travers impressed in his minutes with the Milwaukee Bucks at NBA Summer League, including a 12-point, four-rebound, four-assist performance against the Hornets.

For B.LEAGUE UNITED, Captain Gakuto Arai led the way in the opening game of their Australian tour, scoring 12 points.

DETAILS

Who: Melbourne United vs B.LEAGUE UNITED

Tip-off: 2pm AEST, Sunday 9 August, 2026

Where: Courtside, Port Melbourne.

Watch: Melbourne United YouTube. 

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