Ever wondered what it's like trying to make it in the NBA? Maryborough's Matthew Dellavedova tells us first-hand in his column for the Bendigo Addy.
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Hello everybody. It’s Matthew Dellavedova here. I’m from Maryborough and grew up playing basketball in Maryborough and Bendigo.
My club team in Maryborough was Saints and I played for the Blazers.
In Bendigo it was Generals and I played for the Braves as well.
From there I was lucky enough to go to the Australian Institute of Sport for three years, then to Saint Mary’s College in California for four years.
I represented Australia at the Olympics in London and right now I’m getting ready for training camp with the Cleveland Cavaliers to start on Tuesday.
It has definitely been a busy last five months.
I was working out hard in preparation for the Pre-Draft workouts and I also graduated from college with a degree in Psychology.
I also had 14 Pre-Draft workouts, watched the draft, played Summer League, had two camps and two games with the Boomers, had a little bit of time at home and a couple of weeks working out in Cleveland.
The Pre-Draft workouts were a very interesting process.
The team flies you in the night before the workout and puts you up in a hotel.
The next morning you have about an hour and a half on the court.
Most of that is made up of a lot of skill drills, shooting, 1-on-1, 2-on-2 and 3-on-3.
There is a maximum of six people in a workout and that is the only chance you get to impress the team, apart from what they’ve seen in college.
All the workouts are very intense and competitive because you are fighting against another guy for the opportunity to play in the NBA.
Summer League was a great experience.
I learnt a lot from the coaches about what works in the NBA and what I need to work on.
I’ve been guarding Kyrie Irving a bit. He’s a great player!
- Matthew Dellavedova
The games helped me get used to the style of play.
For the last two weeks I have been in Cleveland working out, playing 5-on-5 and doing individual workouts.
I’ve been guarding Kyrie Irving a bit. He’s a great player!
His speed with the ball and ability to change directions is incredible.
I’d like to thank my family, Mum and Dad and my two sisters for giving me the opportunities and all the support they’ve always given me.
There is no way I would be here without them.
I’d also like to thank all my coaches growing up for giving up their time, it is appreciated.
I’m going to be writing a column each week for the Addy (if I do a good job!).
I'll be writing about what I’m up to and whatever else comes up so I’d love to answer some questions or hear any suggestions!
Please send any to my twitter handle @matthewdelly. Thanks!
