Warragul youngster Arabella West recently won the experience of a lifetime for her Warragul Warriors U16 girls representative basketball team when they got to have a training session with Australian basketball hero and current Melbourne United player Matthew Dellavedova.
Heading down to Melbourne United's home base, Dellavedova conducted a unique training session with the team, displaying many of the main attributes of basketball. These included, ball skills, defence, shooting, individual performance, game knowledge and much more.
Dellavedova even played the well-known basketball training drill of 'knockout' and he wasn't quite good enough to be the winner, as another young Warriors star Maya McDonald took the honours.
Dellavedova enjoyed a near-decade long career in the NBA, including an NBA championship for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 alongside basketball legend Lebron James.
He was a member of the Australian Boomers team that claimed the country's inaugural Olympic medal for basketball in 2021.
Arabella, a keen and skilful basketballer herself, won the opportunity after entering an online competition requiring her to answer the question 'why does your basketball team deserve an exclusive basketball clinic with 'Delly'?'
The young Warrior's response said "We are all basketball crazy. 'Delly' will teach my team more strategies and techniques that perhaps local coaches can't. We would like him to share his pro tips, killer moves and learn from the best, to name just some."To her delight, Arabella's entry was selected as the winner, notifying her with an email from Dellavedova himself.
Her excitement made her 'jump through hoops' informing her Warriors team, and the extended squad including coaches and team manager.
The overall experience for the extended Warriors squad was an amazing experience for all, and the club gave their utmost thanks to Melbourne United and Matthew Dellavedova, as well as the sponsors that made the day possible.
Many valuable photos and autographs were compiled at the end of training.