Tyrepower Profile: Shea Ili

As Melbourne United point guard Shea Ili continues his preparation for the new season, he caught up with Pete Hooley for United’s first edition of Tyrepower Profiles.

Ili, originally from New Zealand, has spent multiple periods of time in quarantine during this off-season as he travelled back and forth between Melbourne and his home country for family reasons.

He said these peculiar times have made him take stock of life and realise what is truly important to him.

When asked what advice he’d like to pass down to his two daughters, he said being both humble and confident at the right moment while also showing respect for others was important to him.

“Respecting everyone and treating others like you’d want to be treated (is my advice),” he told Melbourne United Media.

“To be humble and be confident in yourself in the right time – make sure you back it. In New Zealand, there’s a lot of people playing down their talents, but we’ve got to be more confident, bringing others up and celebrating success.

“Through this time, I’ve cherished every single moment with my girls – my wife and two kids. And also, my parents and grandparents.

“I’m talking to my mum most weeks on the phone, it’s important to stay connected to them.”

It’s fair to say the sporting gene runs in the Ili family, with Shea’s older brother Stacey playing Rugby Union back in New Zealand for the Hawke's Bay Magpies.

Shea said he used to play rugby alongside his brother before turning his attention to basketball.

“(Stacey is) a year older than me and he was always the star of basketball and rugby,” he said.

“In my last two years of school, I started playing basketball. After high school, I had a mentor that was starting to push me to play it (basketball) more and I enjoyed it more than rugby so me and my brother went down different paths.

“My brother is now playing for Hawke’s Bay and is doing really well.”

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Ili, who averaged over six points per game from 26 matches last season, said he is hard at work on the court this off-season to improve his shooting range.

“Definitely being a bit more consistent in my shot (is something I want to improve),” he said.

“If I’m knocking down three balls, I’m definitely helping the team and myself – guys will be closing out on me and I’ll be able to get to the rim easier.

“Also, being the leader on the defensive end is something I’m definitely focusing on.”

During the interview Shea also gave a special shout out to the Melbourne United faithful, who have continued their unwavering support of the side through Victoria’s lockdown.

Ili said he can’t wait to get back out onto Melbourne Area in early 2021 and play in front of a big crowd again.

“It’s been a tough year for everyone, but we definitely have an exciting group this year,” he said.

“It’s been amazing to have all the support through this tough year; we’d love all your support when we return home (to play games in Melbourne next year).”

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