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MATTHEW Dellavedova has joined central Victoria’s sporting elite after being crowned the 2013-14 Bendigo Advertiser-WIN Television Sports Star of the Year.
The Maryborough-raised basketballer won the award ahead of a superb field, including AFL star Joel Selwood, WNBL champions the Bendigo Spirit and cycling young gun Jack Haig.
With Dellavedova on NBA duty in the United States with the Cleveland Cavaliers, his parents Mark and Leanne accepted the award on his behalf.
The 23-year-old has had a stellar 12 months.
In 2013 he graduated from St Mary’s College in the United States as the school’s all-time leader in scoring, assists, games played, free throw percentage and three-point shots.
Dellavedova was also named an Academic All-American and he led St Mary’s to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
He entered the NBA draft where he was overlooked by all clubs.
Dellavedova was invited to the NBA Summer League by the Cavaliers where his tenacity, work ethic and leadership instantly won over the Cavs coaching staff.
After impressing in Summer League, Dellavedova was offered a non-guaranteed contract by the Cavs.
Despite being expected to spend most of the season in the NBA Development League, Dellavedova forced his way into the Cavaliers rotation.
On November 2, 2013, Dellavedova became the first central Victorian basketballer to play in the NBA when he stepped on court for the Cavs against Indiana.
He’s gone on to play a major impact in his rookie season.
The point guard is averaging 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, including a career-high 14 points against San Antonio in November.
In February, St Mary’s honoured Dellavedova by retiring his number four.
He was just the second basketballer in St Mary’s history to have his number retired.
Dellavedova joins the likes of world champion cyclist Glenn O'Shea, triple Olympic silver medal winner Kristi Harrower, multiple world champion sailor Glenn Ashby and Joel Selwood on the Sports Star of the Year honour roll.