STAT WRAP - NBL25 Pre-Season Blitz

Welcome to the STAT WRAP, Melbourne United’s weekly round-up of all the key stats from our games. Take a look below at who shined on the court, and the trends leading the way throughout the team.

WHITE HOT

Jack White - 18.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals - 63.6% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 75% FT

Across the NBL Blitz, Jack White showcased exactly why his return to the NBL was met with so much excitement.

The athletic forward led from the front across our three games, averaging over 18 points per game, which is close to double his season numbers from NBL22.

He did so efficiently, scoring at over 63 percent from the field. Perhaps the most impressive part of this was his dominance around the basket, as White finished over 77% of his shots inside the arc, including a number of monstrous dunks.

Jack White back in action, you love to see it.

📺 Live on Kayo | @5jackwhite pic.twitter.com/AT7B7YWKVp

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) September 7, 2024

CAN’T STOP IC

Ian Clark - 17.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1 steal - 51.2% FG , 26.6% 3PT, 100% FT

In the absence of Chris Goulding for two of the three games at the Blitz, Ian Clark proved he is more than capable of taking on a larger scoring load on the perimeter.

While his three-ball wasn’t falling at the same level United fans are used to (41.4% in NBL24), he still found ways to put up huge scoring numbers, including a 23-point outing against the Bullets.

Like White, Clark was great from two-point range, working his way to floater range where he connected on close to 65% of his makes.

Add in one steal per game and ‘IC’ put together a very solid showing in the Gold Coast.

FIND THE OPEN MAN

A high priority every season for Melbourne United is ball movement. Running such a movement heavy offence, full of dribble hand-offs and screens, Dean Vickerman is always looking to get the ball through multiple sets of hands to find the best shot.

For the most part, this worked well across their three games, as the team averaged 22.3 assists per game; a figure that would have led the league in NBL24.

Whole team pushing the tempo.
Akech Aliir points capped of a 17-2 run.

📺Kayo pic.twitter.com/oOAzCtiSch

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) September 12, 2024

On the flip side however, United also averaged over 17 turnovers per game, which also would have led the league last season. 

With less than a week until the team’s Round 1 clash with the Tasmania JackJumpers at HoopsFest in Perth on 19 September from 8:30pm AEST, Vickerman will be looking to tighten up the level of ball security shown by his stars.

With so much excitement ahead of NBL25, the time is now to lock in your seats to see United’s return to John Cain Arena.

The only way to make sure you don’t miss a second of United basketball during NBL25 is by securing a ticket today, or by standing United with us and becoming a member.

All Full Season Memberships categories and all 5 Game Memberships have already sold out. Limited 3 Game Memberships remain. To find out more about our Membership options, click here.