United’s imports’ impact off to a historic start

Inside John Cain Arena on Sunday, the home crowd were hungry to see their first win, and coming off what has already been a productive campaign, United’s stars provided. 

In a contentious affair where Melbourne’s lead was being pulled back and forth, the game was taken over and put on the back of their newest additions. Imports Cole Anthony and Josh Oduro went for 30 and 27 points respectively, displaying their electric play on both ends of the floor, and willing their team to what could be a season shifting win. 

Anthony is now third in the NBL in points per game with Oduro not far behind in ninth. This combination marks the first time two United players have sat in the top 10 in the league in scoring since the end of the 2019-20 season, and is on track to be the highest points per game a pair of United players have ever had in a single season.

Oduro’s 27 point performance is his NBL career high so far, and was his fifth 20+ point game of the season. 

Following the squad’s win against the Kings, Head Coach Jacob Chance spoke on Oduro’s play this season. 

“[I’ve] said it before, he’s a really good basketball player,” Chance said.

“He's just the type of person we want in our program…He's a great young man and he goes about things the right way and his teammates love him.

“He's easy to coach, he came in and played really well over the course of 40 minutes and does a lot [that shows] in the stats, but the invisible stuff that he does, the talk, the positioning, that probably goes a little unnoticed. He's never in the wrong spot and that's certainly big for our team.”

Anthony’s performance was his third 30+ point haul of the season already, but perhaps what was most impressive was his season high six rebounds and nine assists, which were key to the electric exhibition he put on display. 

It’s only the second time a player has had as many or more points, rebounds, and assists in a game while wearing United colours; the other being Matthew Dellavedova in NBL24 against the Illawarra Hawks. 

In addition to their individual heroics, the pair have made an undeniable connection on the court. Anthony has assisted his compatriot 11 times for buckets this season, the second most between any two United players and the 12th most of any dynamic duo in the competition. 

These two superstars next take the court as the away team against the Cairns Taipans as a part of the Hungry Jack’s Rookie Round this Saturday the 31st of October inside the Cairns Convention Centre at 7:30pm. 

They will then return home for a Cup Eve clash against the New Zealand Breakers at 7:30pm on Monday the 2nd of November inside John Cain Arena - To see the action live in person, get your tickets via AXS.

Both games will be available to watch live on ESPN via Kayo and Disney+ and Saturday night’s Cairns game will be live on 9GO or 9NOW. 

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