Australia’s next NBA hopeful, Matthew Dellavedova, will have a further chance at making an NBA roster in the coming months after receiving an invite to the Cleveland Cavaliers pre-season training camp.
Dellavedova was passed upon by all 30 NBA teams in June’s NBA draft after having spent a four-year career at St Mary’s college in California.
The 22-year-old had an outstanding career in the NCAA, but was overlooked on Draft night because NBA teams believed the 191cm Dellavedova wasn’t quick enough to defend the ultra-athletic point guards of the world’s top basketball league.
“Cleveland is looking for a third point guard and I have a shot at it,” Dellavedova told News Limited earlier in the week.
The St Mary’s record holder in scoring, assists, games played and free throw percentage, Dellavedova had the opportunity to play for the Cavs’ Summer League team last month.
“I thought I did OK,” he said of his time in Las Vegas.
“I played my role pretty well, trying to get other people shots.”
“I really focused on my defence,” Dellavedova said. “I know what the perception is about me defending quick guards. I thought I was really good defensively.”
Dellavedova has already had the opportunity to talk to Cavs coach Mike Brown about his role.
“I talked to Coach Brown a bit,” he added.
“He told me what he was looking for, that third point guard to push Irving and Waiters in practice,” he said, referring to young stars Kyrie Irving and Dion Waters.
Dellavedova started for the Australian Boomers at last year’s London Olympics.
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