Tom Wilson on the road from grassroots to glory

Last season in the NBL1 South, Tom Wilson dominated. In 25 games for the Melbourne Tigers, he averaged 24 points 6 rebounds and 5.5 assists on his way to the grand final. As the primary ball handler for the Tigers, Wilson proved he was a winning player with elite scoring potential on and off the ball. Wilson topped off the season winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

‍

In Throwdown 34 for United, he played only 12 minutes, but was without a doubt one of the most integral pieces to Melbourne’s 15 point comeback against their crosstown rivals.

In the third quarter, where the game was won, Wilson’s five minute spell; which included two assists, a steal and a three pointer, electrified his teammates, and had Section 62 yelling like Tom Hanks at a volleyball.

Head Coach Jacob Chance recognised Wilson’s potential before the season started, and has only been impressed since.

“When I got the [head coach] job, he was one of my earlier calls,” Chance revealed.

“The biggest thing with [Wilson], that a lot of people don't see, is his approach, his day-to-day is unbelievable. He's a pro. He's what we want guys to be about from a daily standpoint every day as a Melbourne United player.

“I think he's seeing the fruition of that, his work he did in the off-season, the work he does every day in [training], how he looks after his body.It's given him a real platform to go and add to his game defensively,  and his IQ is top tier in this league, so he knows where to be and how to be there at different times.”

Compared to his 27 games for Melbourne in NBL26, Wilson’s minutes per game have nearly tripled for this year. Following practice, the guard spoke on the mindset he’s taken to approach his role this year.

"It's been awesome this year to come in and play some more minutes,” Wilson said.

“I've always felt, stepping on the floor, that [Chance has] believed in me and had confidence in me, which is all you can ask for as a player.

“Going out there and playing with these guys, we're really starting to come together as a group, which is a great feeling when you're going out there.”

‍

Wilson, who was born and raised in Melbourne, played for the Tigers as a junior, and knows his city’s basketball culture as well as anyone.

“I think back to my time as a kid growing up coming to the NBL… They're some of my best memories growing up as a kid,” Wilson said.

“Finishing school on a Friday and then getting to go and play on a Friday night. It was like the highlight of your week.

“[It’s] special that we have such a good grassroots program in Victoria and in broader Australia as well.”

‍

Melbourne United and Wilson next take the court in their annual Grassroots Game this Sunday the 18th of October against the Illawarra Hawks at 5:00pm.

The best way to experience the celebration and excellent play is inside John Cain Arena.

Get tickets via AXS here or watch it live on ESPN via Kayo and Disney+.