NICKNAME/S: Shili

BIO: Shea Ili was born in Auckland (NZ) and raised in Mangere Bridge. He played his junior basketball at Onehunga High School and appeared for Counties Manukau in rep team’s before joining the Auckland Pirates in 2012 to play in the NZNBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Shea Ili made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 22 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

After a disappointing season that saw the Breakers miss the playoffs for the first time in four years, they retooled by re-signing Cedric Jackson, who had led the team to back-to-back championships, and pairing him with forward import Ekene Ibekwe. This season also marked the arrival of Shea Ili, who joined the team as a development player, contributing 0.9 points and 0.1 assists per game as the Breakers battled for the top spot against Perth and Cairns, ultimately finishing in second place with a 19–9 record.

In the semifinals, New Zealand faced the red-hot Adelaide 36ers, who had won their last 10 regular-season games. Despite Adelaide’s strong form, the Breakers dominated Game 1 at Vector Arena, winning comfortably (111–82). The series then shifted to Adelaide, where the Breakers once again controlled the game, defeating the 36ers (94–83) and advancing to the Grand Final against first-place Cairns.

Although Game 1 was held in Cairns, New Zealand delivered a convincing win (86–71), led by Jackson’s 22 points. Game 2 moved to Auckland, where a tightly contested game saw Taipans guard Scottie Wilbekin tie the game with clutch free throws in the final seconds. Coming out of a timeout, Ibekwe nailed a game-winning fade-away jumper off an inbound pass, sealing the Breakers’ fourth title in five years with an 83–81 victory. Jackson (15 points) earned Grand Final MVP honours for the second time in his career.

2015/16
Retaining nearly all players from their championship-winning roster, the Breakers lost only Rhys Carter (to Sydney) and Ekene Ibekwe (to Europe), replacing them with Australian point guard Shane McDonald and import big man Charles Jackson. Pre-season challenges arose, as Alex Pledger underwent off-season foot surgery, Thomas Abercrombie struggled with a hamstring issue, and Corey Webster briefly departed to trial with the New Orleans Pelicans. Coach Paul Henare elevated development players Shea Ili and Tai Wynyard while adding Everard Bartlett as an injury replacement for Webster.

New Zealand suffered an unexpected loss to Adelaide in their season opener (71-90). Missing key players like Webster, Abercrombie, and Pledger, the Breakers managed only 26 points by halftime—their second-lowest first-half score in team history. A struggling start (1-3) received a boost with Webster’s return (19.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists). Webster’s reintroduction saw Duane Bailey released, while Bartlett, initially signed as an injury replacement, remained on the roster. New Zealand soon climbed the standings, winning nine of their next 11 games and reclaiming top-four contention by Round 10 (10-5). However, inconsistency followed, with the Breakers losing five of their next six games (11-10) and briefly dropping out of playoff contention.

A late-season surge saw New Zealand end on a five-game winning streak, finishing fourth (16–12) to claim the final playoff spot. They swept ladder-leaders Melbourne in the semifinals (2–0), reaching their fifth Grand Final appearance in six years.

Facing Perth once again in the Grand Final, the Wildcats leaned on Nathan Jawai’s inside presence and Casey Prather’s defence to win Game 1 (82–76). The Breakers evened the series at home in Game 2, thanks to a near triple-double from Cedric Jackson (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists) in a hard-fought 72–68 win.

In the deciding Game 3 in Perth, a 13,090-strong ‘Red Army’ witnessed the Wildcats secure a dominant 75–52 victory, marking New Zealand’s first Grand Final series loss and their first playoff defeat against Perth. Corey Webster’s strong season (19.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) earned him All-NBL Second Team honours, while Ili averaged 1.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists for the season.

2016/17
After the 2016 Grand Final loss, the Breakers saw significant changes, with chief executive Richard Clarke and coach Dean Vickerman departing. Paul Henare stepped up as head coach, and Dillon Boucher took over as general manager.

Departures included stars Cedric Jackson and Tai Wesley, who joined Melbourne United. While retaining core players like Abercrombie, Webster, Pledger, and Vukona, the Breakers signed club legend Kirk Penney and two imports, Ben Woodside and Akil Mitchell. The development player trio of Finn Delany, Shea Ili, and Jordan Ngatai all advanced to full-time roster spots.

Injuries plagued New Zealand throughout pre-season and beyond, with Shea Ili (back), Penney (calf), and Webster (hip and back) missing multiple games early in the season. Webster’s injury hindered his production, dropping his scoring average from 19.6 to 11.7 ppg. Despite early setbacks, New Zealand managed a few wins but was hampered by further injuries to Abercrombie (11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) and Woodside (8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals). During a game against Cairns (81-94), Mitchell suffered a serious eye injury when Taipans centre Nnanna Egwu accidentally poked him in the eye, causing his left eyeball to come out of its socket. Mitchell returned to the U.S. for further treatment.

Webster made a second return to the lineup but was ultimately sidelined for the season due to lingering injuries. The Breakers brought in import forward Paul Carter (9.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) and replaced Woodside with David Stockton, who played only 10 games before suffering an injury and being replaced by another import, Kevin Dillard.

Dillard (18.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals) and Penney (17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) helped the Breakers close out the season with a four-game winning streak, keeping their playoff hopes alive. However, consecutive losses in Round 17 saw New Zealand fall to fifth place (14–14), ending their season outside the playoffs.

Despite finishing with a 14–14 record and two final wins, New Zealand narrowly missed the playoffs, concluding the season in fifth place. Ili contributed 4.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, showcasing growth despite the team’s injury challenges and roster adjustments.

2017/18
Following a season plagued by injuries, the Breakers focused on retooling under coach Paul Henare’s guidance for his second year at the helm. Kevin Dillard, who had joined for the last nine games of the previous season, was re-signed, with hopes that the late-season success could carry over into NBL18. The off-season saw a major shift with the team parting ways with Corey Webster after several unresolved issues. Webster initially inked a two-year contract with Perth but then, after impressing European scouts in the 2017 NBA Summer League, requested a release before the NBL season started. With the rest of the roster largely retained, New Zealand capitalized on the league’s decision to expand the import quota to three by bringing in guards DJ Newbill and Édgar Sosa.

The Breakers began the season in impressive fashion, achieving a 6–1 record by Round 5, driven by the unselfish play of Newbill (13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals) and Sosa (15.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists). Backup guard Shea Ili also made significant contributions, averaging 9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, and was later recognized as the NBL’s Most Improved Player. With their strong start, New Zealand matched their best opening record in franchise history after defeating Perth on 9 November, improving to 7–1 and later reaching 9–1 with a victory over Brisbane on 19 November. They headed into the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification break leading the NBL ladder and riding a nine-game winning streak.

However, after returning from the FIBA break, New Zealand struggled, losing four of their next five games, which dropped them to 10–5 following Round 10. With Dillard (18.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals) sidelined by injury, the team brought in former NBA player Rakeem Christmas (7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds) in early January to strengthen their roster.

Despite consecutive losses to close the regular season, the Breakers finished fourth (15–13) and faced Melbourne United and former coach Dean Vickerman in the semifinals. United swept the Breakers in two games, with the second game ending in a tough overtime loss (88–86). The series marked the final NBL appearance for club legend Kirk Penney, who finished with 17 points in Game 2, wrapping up his career with season averages of 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.

2018/19
The Breakers underwent a substantial overhaul in 2018, starting with a change in ownership. In February, a consortium led by former NBA player Matt Walsh acquired the team through Breakers Basketball Ltd, ending Liz and Paul Blackwell’s 13-year ownership. This shift led to several departures of long-standing team members in the off-season. After 15 years with the Breakers as both player and coach, Paul Henare moved on, New Zealand’s all-time leading scorer Kirk Penney retired, and mainstays Alex Pledger (to Melbourne), Mika Vukona (to Brisbane), and emerging player Robert Loe (to Cairns) signed with other teams.

With Vukona’s departure, Thomas Abercrombie stepped up as team captain, while former player Kevin Braswell took over as head coach. Braswell rebuilt the roster, re-signing former Breaker Tai Wesley (via Melbourne) and bringing back Tall Blacks star Corey Webster (from Europe) on a three-year contract. New local additions included Jarrad Weeks (from Cairns) and Majok Majok (from Melbourne), while the team’s imports featured Patrick Richard, Armani Moore, and Shawn Long.

The Breakers traveled to the United States to play the Phoenix Suns in a pre-season NBLxNBA exhibition. New Zealand surprised the Suns by making a late-game push, cutting the lead to just four points in the final minute, although they ultimately lost 91–86. Corey Webster (27 points and 7 assists) and Tai Wesley (15 points and 7 rebounds) were standouts, while Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton (21 points and 15 rebounds) and Trevor Ariza (16 points and 6 assists) led the Suns, who played without Devin Booker.

Despite their promising pre-season, the Breakers struggled with consistency, injuries, and lineup adjustments, which contributed to a rough start that included a five-game losing streak in late November and early December. With only four wins from their first 12 games, the team was unable to find stability.

The season saw several players underperform. Corey Webster, a former league scoring leader, experienced his least productive season in five years (10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists). Abercrombie (8.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) and Shea Ili (7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists) also experienced statistical declines. Imports Patrick Richard (11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Armani Moore (7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) similarly fell short of expectations.

Shea Ili maintained a consistent role, contributing 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across the season. His top performances included a 19-point, 4-steal game against Adelaide on 30 December, where he shot 8 of 15 from the field, and an 18-point, 5-assist effort versus Melbourne on 3 February, alongside a 14-point, 3-steal, and 1-block performance against Cairns on 16 December.

Alongside Ili, Jarrad Weeks (10.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) delivered a career-best season and was a finalist for both Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards. Tai Wesley continued his strong play with 14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while Shawn Long (18.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) ranked second in the league in rebounds and blocks, earning a place on the All-NBL Second Team and being named the Breakers’ Club MVP.

New Zealand’s playoff hopes faded after a three-game skid in January left them at the bottom of the standings (8-12), and despite several comeback attempts, they concluded the season with a 12-16 record, placing sixth and missing the playoffs.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2019/20
Melbourne United began the 2019/20 season by revamping their roster significantly. The club opted not to re-sign former imports Casper Ware and Josh Boone, released Daniel Trist, and saw promising forward Craig Moller depart to Sydney as a free agent.

United added new faces, bringing in Jo Lual-Acuil, Shea Ili (who had previously played under Dean Vickerman with the Breakers), and development player Jack Purchase. Vickerman bolstered the squad further by signing imports Melo Trimble (from Cairns) and Shawn Long (from New Zealand), who were close friends, having previously played together on Team USA’s World Cup qualifiers squad. United retained several key players, including David Barlow, Alex Pledger, Tohi Smith-Milner, and Casey Prather, who returned on a two-year deal after a successful first stint.

Casey Prather’s return, however, was marred by injuries, sidelining him for the first seven games of the season. Upon his return, Prather posted underwhelming averages of 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds—well below his career norms. After undergoing a second knee cleanout and playing only six of the next eight games, he was ruled out for the season due to a torn hamstring. United signed former NBA player Stanton Kidd as his replacement.

The season began with struggles, as United lost four of their first five games amidst reports of internal discord and a coach under pressure. By late November, however, United had rebounded, sitting third on the ladder (7-4) following a six-game winning streak and leading the league in scoring (99.7 points per game). Melo Trimble (19.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) led the team offensively, supported by Long (18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks) and captain Chris Goulding (17.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists).

Ili contributed solidly, averaging 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists as Melbourne bounced back from their rocky start to secure fourth place (15-13). In the semifinals against Sydney, Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) dominated inside, while Trimble (34 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) had a standout game off the bench. Yet, United narrowly lost Game 1 (80-86) as Xavier Cooks (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Jae’Sean Tate (19 points and 5 rebounds) led the Kings.

In Game 2, United evened the series back in Melbourne, powered by Long (26 points and 11 rebounds), Trimble (21 points and 2 steals), and Kidd (18 points and 4 rebounds). United outscored Sydney 32-7 in the second quarter, clinching a dominant 45-point win (125-80). Ili (14 points and 3 rebounds) had his best postseason performance, while Tate (18 points and 6 rebounds) led Sydney. The series-deciding Game 3 in Sydney saw Goulding (19 points and 3 assists) lead Melbourne, but Tate (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) and the Kings claimed a narrow two-point win, ending United’s season and advancing to the Grand Final.

2020/21
Following multiple attempts to get import Casey Prather back in action, Melbourne United and Prather mutually agreed to terminate his contract for the second year. United then restructured their lineup, adding Jack White (via Duke University) and Japanese player Yudai Baba (one-year deal), who joined under the NBL Special Restricted Player contract. The team re-signed captain Chris Goulding (three-year deal), David Barlow (one-year deal), Mason Peatling (three-year deal), and Sam McDaniel (one-year deal). United leaned on local talent, signing Scotty Hopson (via Europe) as their only import and, in a last-minute coup, added Australian Boomers forward Jock Landale (one-year deal) after his contract in Lithuania fell through due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

United’s season encountered an early setback when rookie Jack White, averaging 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds, ruptured his Achilles in a game against Cairns, sidelining him for 12 months. Former United centre David Andersen stepped in as an injury replacement.

Chris Goulding (15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2 assists) also faced injury troubles, missing most of February 2021, but Jock Landale (16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks) took the lead, guiding United to a first-place finish (28-8). In the semi-finals, Melbourne faced South East Melbourne Phoenix, with the Victorian lockdown forcing both teams to play in empty Sydney arenas. The teams split the first two games, setting up a Game 3 showdown in Melbourne, where United’s defense held Phoenix to 42 points after the second quarter, securing an 84-74 victory led by Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks). In the same game, Goulding (14 points) reached his 350th career game milestone, with key contributions from McCarron (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), Hopson (9 points and 6 rebounds), and Lual-Acuil (8 points and 3 rebounds). Phoenix’s Reuben Te Rangi (22 points) and Mitch Creek (19 points) were notable in defeat.

With Western Australia’s border restrictions in place, the Grand Final series saw Perth Wildcats, the lower seed, host the first two games. Although the Wildcats stayed competitive despite the absence of Bryce Cotton, United claimed both games in Perth before returning to Melbourne, where a sold-out crowd of 5,000 (max allowed under COVID restrictions) watched them win Game 3 (81-76), clinching Melbourne’s sixth championship and their second under the United brand. Landale (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) was instrumental and was rightfully awarded the Finals MVP.

Ili played 34 games in the season, posting averages of 6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2 assists. His contributions, including a career-high 43.2% shooting from beyond the arc, were essential in United’s success as they navigated an eventful season marked by challenges and achieved the championship title.

2020/21
After winning the 2021 championship, Melbourne United quickly turned their attention to rebuilding the roster for the NBL22 season, immediately re-signing Shea Ili. The two-time winning NBL Champion Shea Ili, extended his tenure at the club for a further two seasons. After multiple seasons trying to get import Casey Prather back onto the court, both United and Prather mutually agreed to terminate the second season of his contract. Melbourne would then rejig their roster by adding Jack White (via Duke University) and Japanese star Yudai Baba (one-year deal), who signed with the team on an NBL Special Restricted Player contract. The team also re-signed team captain Chris Goulding (three-year deal), David Barlow (one year deal), Mason Peatling (three year deal) and Sam McDaniel (one year deal). United would rely on their local talent this season, signing Scotty Hopson (via Europe) as their lone import for the season and, as their last move, was able to sign Australian Boomers forward Jock Landale (one-year deal) mere weeks prior to the season tip-off, after his Lithuania contracted was voided due to Covid Travel Restrictions.

During the first month of the season, United lost rookie Jack White (9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds), who was a strong pick for the rookie of the year award, when he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Cairns. With White requiring 12 months of rehabilitation, retired centre David Andersen was signed as an injury replacement player.

Another injury hit when Chris Goulding (15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2 assists) was ruled out for the majority of February 2021. As United battled through the injury bug, Jock Landale (16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks) would lead Melbourne in scoring as the team finished in first place (28-8). Melbourne would then face Victorian rivals, the South East Melbourne Phoenix as their semi finals opponents but with the Victorian lockdown keeping both team’s out of the state, their semi finals series began in empty arenas in held in Sydney.

The two Melbourne team’s split the first two games playing at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena before returning to Melbourne to play the deciding game three with the winner going on to face the Perth Wildcats in the Grand Final. After trailing 32-15 early in the second quarter, Melbourne’s defence locked in to hold South East Melbourne to just 42 points the rest of the night while scoring 69 themselves. With Landale (27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) equalling his season-high for points, shooting 11-13 from the floor and a perfect 3/3 from beyond, United came away with the victory (84-74).

In the same game, Goulding (14 points) notched up his 350th game while Mitch McCarron (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), Scotty Hopson (9 points and 6 boards), and Jo Lual-Acuil (8 points and 3 rebounds) all played important roles in the win. Reuben Te Rangi (22 points) and Mitch Creek (19 points) were key contributors for the Phoenix.

Due to the border restrictions by the Western Australian state government the Perth Wildcats (the lower seed) hosted the first two games of the Grand Final series. While the Wildcat’s remained competitive without their injured superstar Bryce Cotton United would win both games in Perth and return to Melbourne to host the third game (United would have also hosted the fourth and fifth games had they not already won the series by the third game).

A sold-out 5,000-strong crowd at John Cain Arena (the maximum allowed within Covid restrictions) witnessed United defeat Perth (81-76) in what would be Melbourne’s sixth championship and their second under the United branding. Landale (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) continued to rack up stats in every category, making him a obvious choice for the Finals MVP.

Ili would appear in 34 games for the season, averaging 6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists off the bench.

2022/23
Melbourne entered NBL23 after finishing the previous regular season first with a 20-8 record before losing the deciding semifinal against Tasmania without injured captain Chris Goulding. Jo Lual-Acuil (to China), Caleb Agada, Jack White (to Denver) and Matthew Dellavedova (to Sacramento) exited, with White and Dellavedova receiving NBA opportunities despite being contracted and leaving coach Dean Vickerman scrambling for replacements late in the off-season. Goulding, Shea Ili, Ariel Hukporti and Brad Newley returned, while Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker, Jordan Caroline (via Trento), Makuach Maluach (via Darwin) and development player Joshua Duach were added. David Barlow also reversed his retirement decision and returned to the playing roster.

After winning the NBL’s Best Sixth Man award and Melbourne’s Defensive Player of the Year and SHARE awards during the previous season, Ili signed a two-year contract extension on July 26, keeping him with United through the 2024/25 season. “We’ve found a home base here in Melbourne after leaving New Zealand. We can see ourselves being here for a long time,” he said. Goulding was later returned as captain through a players’ vote, with Ili named vice-captain.

Melbourne suffered another major setback when Hukporti ruptured his Achilles during the NBL Blitz and was ruled out for the season. Ili was also unavailable after taking an elbow during his first training session following an off-season FIBA qualifying trip with New Zealand. The resulting concussion caused persistent dizziness, with specialist testing later identifying damage to an inner-ear canal and a vestibular disorder that required targeted treatment.

Ili remained sidelined when Melbourne opened the season against New Zealand at John Cain Arena on October 2, where Rathan-Mayes (33 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Goulding (24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) and Tucker (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led United to a 101-97 overtime victory, while Dererk Pardon (23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was the Breakers’ best.

Ili (8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 14 games) missed Melbourne’s first seven games and was restricted to two playing stints during the season. His absence removed United’s strongest point-of-attack defender and one of its primary ball-handlers, forcing Rathan-Mayes into the starting lineup and Tucker to spend more time initiating the offence.

He returned against Perth at John Cain Arena on October 31, finishing with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in 12 minutes as Melbourne defeated the Wildcats 94-77. Rathan-Mayes (25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals) and Tucker (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led United, while Bryce Cotton (19 points and 3 assists) was Perth’s leading scorer.

Ili appeared in three games before experiencing mild symptoms during the following FIBA window, leading Melbourne to place him into another conservative training block. He missed five more games as United fell into a five-game losing streak and dropped to 5-10. Caroline (5.5 points and 6.2 rebounds across 6 games; to Manresa) was also released after Hukporti’s injury changed Melbourne’s roster needs, with Marcus Lee (8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 17 games; via Manresa) signed to provide another recognised centre.

Ili’s best game came in his return against Brisbane at John Cain Arena on December 10, where he made four of five shots and finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 20 minutes as Melbourne ended its five-game losing streak with a 104-88 victory. Tucker (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Goulding (20 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Lee (18 points and 6 rebounds) led United, while Nathan Sobey (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) was Brisbane’s best. “I’m just super excited to be back with the boys, hopefully I can help out on court,” Ili said.

With Goulding unavailable through illness, Ili captained Melbourne in Australia’s first professional sporting fixture played on Christmas Day, finishing with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists as Sydney defeated United 101-80 before 7,012 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Tucker (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Humphries (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks) led Melbourne, while Xavier Cooks (24 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) was dominant for the Kings in a game watched by more than 300,000 television viewers.

Ili reached 200 NBL appearances during January and remained an important part of Melbourne’s late recovery before suffering another head knock against Adelaide on January 21. He finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists in 15 minutes before leaving the game, while Goulding (28 points), Tucker (25 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Rathan-Mayes (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led United to a 94-87 victory. Robert Franks (24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks) was Adelaide’s best, but Ili experienced concussion symptoms following the collision and did not play again.

Dean Vickerman and Chris Goulding provide an update on Shea Ili’s condition after he left tonight’s game due to a head knock pic.twitter.com/0xaEp51CYF

— NBL (@NBL) January 21, 2023

Tucker (18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games) and Goulding (17.1 points across 27 games) led Melbourne offensively, while Rathan-Mayes (14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 28 games), Humphries (9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks across 23 games), Lee and Mason Peatling (5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games) were the other major contributors. Goulding received All-NBL Second Team honours and Melbourne’s Most Valuable Player award, while Lee was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year. Humphries also publicly came out as gay during the season, with Melbourne helping introduce the NBL’s inaugural Champion Pride Round.

Melbourne won 10 of its final 13 games despite Ili missing the final two fixtures, but became the first United team coached by Vickerman to finish outside the league’s top five for defensive rating. Melbourne entered its final game needing to defeat Adelaide and receive a favourable result from Sydney’s game against Perth to qualify for the play-in tournament. Tucker (31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block), Goulding (23 points and 2 steals) and Rathan-Mayes (21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led United to a 116-107 victory over the 36ers before 10,175 fans at John Cain Arena, while Antonius Cleveland (30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) was Adelaide’s best. Perth then defeated Sydney 96-84 to claim sixth place on points percentage, leaving Melbourne seventh with a 15-13 record.

2023/24
Melbourne entered NBL24 after winning 11 of its final 14 games the previous season but finishing seventh at 15-13 and missing the postseason on percentage. Isaac Humphries (to Adelaide), Mason Peatling (to Illawarra), David Okwera (to Perth), Makuach Maluach (to Sydney), Marcus Lee (to Tasmania), Lachlan Barker (to Tasmania), Rayjon Tucker (to Italy), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Turkey) and David Barlow (retired) departed, while Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Ariel Hukporti and Brad Newley returned. Coach Dean Vickerman brought Matthew Dellavedova (via Sacramento) and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (via China) back to Melbourne while adding Ian Clark (via Adelaide), Luke Travers (via Perth), Tanner Krebs (via Brisbane), Flynn Cameron (via UC Riverside) and Kyle Bowen (via Saint Mary’s).

After concussion problems restricted him to 14 games the previous season, Ili entered the first year of the two-year extension he had signed in July 2022, keeping him with United through the end of NBL25.

“We’ve found a home base here in Melbourne after leaving New Zealand. We can see ourselves being here for a long time. We love the club, being a part of the boys, it’s a great group, and a great environment to be around,” Ili said.

A wrist injury suffered by Lual-Acuil Jr before the season led to Rob Loe (via New Zealand) signing as an injury replacement, while Hukporti moved into the starting line-up.

Melbourne opened the season against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on September 28, where Ili (8 points and 5 rebounds) helped United defeat the Phoenix 82-67. Travers (20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Dellavedova (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne, while Ben Ayre (17 points and 2 rebounds) was South East Melbourne’s leading scorer.

Ili (10.7 points and 3.7 assists across 34 games) shared Melbourne’s backcourt duties with Dellavedova and was regularly assigned to the opposition’s most dangerous guard. His pressure around ball screens allowed United’s big men to remain closer to the basket, while his speed and ability to attack the paint gave the team another way to create shots.

Ili produced his first major scoring game against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on October 29, finishing with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals while making all seven of his free throws as Melbourne defeated the Hawks 96-84 for its sixth consecutive win. Goulding (33 points and 3 rebounds) and Krebs (14 points and 4 assists) provided support, while Gary Clark (24 points and 2 steals) led Illawarra.

Ili’s best regular-season game came against Sydney at John Cain Arena on November 19, where Ili (12 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) helped Melbourne recover from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Kings 105-93. Goulding (35 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) and Travers (18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led United through a 40-point final quarter, while DJ Hogg (20 points and 6 rebounds) was Sydney’s best.

His best regular-season scoring game came at Qudos Bank Arena on January 4, where Ili (19 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made 6-of-9 field goals and 7-of-8 free throws as Melbourne defeated Sydney 101-85 and improved to 15-4. Dellavedova (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Goulding (16 points and 3 rebounds) helped United control the game, while Shaun Bruce (16 points and 5 assists) led the Kings. A concussion then sidelined Ili for two games before he returned against Brisbane on January 26.

Melbourne closed the regular season against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on February 18, where Ili (9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) helped United defeat the Hawks 92-87. Goulding (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Dellavedova (17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led Melbourne, while Justin Robinson (14 points and 5 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer. United finished first with a 20-8 record, three wins clear of the competition after sitting on top of the ladder for 19 of the season’s 20 rounds.

Goulding (16.9 points across 36 games) and Lual-Acuil Jr (14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 29 games) were Melbourne’s two leading scorers, while Clark (13.6 points across 30 games), Dellavedova (12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across 30 games), Travers (12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 33 games), Hukporti (7.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 36 games), Loe (5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds across 8 games) and Krebs (5.3 points across 36 games) completed the main rotation.

Ili’s point-of-attack pressure helped Melbourne hold its opponents to the league’s lowest field-goal percentage, with Vickerman describing his effect on opposition guards by saying, “He wears people down.” Ili won his first Damian Martin Trophy as the NBL’s Best Defensive Player, while Goulding earned All-NBL First Team honours, Lual-Acuil Jr was selected to the All-NBL Second Team, Clark received Best Sixth Man and Vickerman was named Coach of the Year.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at John Cain Arena and recovered from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Illawarra 115-106 in overtime. Ili (13 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) helped increase United’s defensive pressure during the comeback, while Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals), Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Goulding (18 points and 3 rebounds) led Melbourne. Froling (26 points and 5 rebounds), Gary Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Harvey (15 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) were Illawarra’s best.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Ili (12 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal), Dellavedova (20 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Clark (17 points and 3 rebounds) led Melbourne. Gary Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points and 2 steals), Froling (19 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) carried Illawarra, with Hickey’s putback at the regulation buzzer forcing overtime before the Hawks won 113-108.

The series returned to John Cain Arena for game three, where Ili produced his highest-scoring game of the season, finishing with 22 points and 3 rebounds as Melbourne defeated Illawarra 100-94. Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds), Clark (14 points) and Goulding (14 points and 1 block) provided support, while Froling (23 points and 4 rebounds), Robinson (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Gary Clark (14 points and 6 rebounds) led the Hawks before United advanced to the Grand Final series.

Melbourne opened the Grand Final at John Cain Arena, where Ili (8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped United’s defensive pressure break the game open during a 104-81 victory. Goulding (22 points and 4 rebounds), Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Clark (18 points and 6 rebounds) led Melbourne, while Anthony Drmic (18 points), Milton Doyle (16 points and 8 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) were Tasmania’s best.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Ili (20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) made 8-of-12 field goals and led Melbourne’s scoring. Goulding (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (9 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) helped United build a 15-point third-quarter lead, but McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Doyle (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), Jordon Crawford (13 points and 4 assists) and Sean Macdonald (13 points) led Tasmania’s comeback. Ili, Lual-Acuil Jr and Clark all fouled out before the JackJumpers won 82-77 and levelled the series.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Ili (11 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal), Dellavedova (21 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Goulding (17 points and 4 rebounds) and Travers (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne. McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds), Majok Deng (15 points and 1 block), Doyle (14 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Crawford (14 points) kept Tasmania close before Doyle saved a deflected inbound pass and McVeigh made a long three-pointer from beyond half-court at the buzzer, giving the JackJumpers a 93-91 win and a 2-1 series lead.

Game four remained at MyState Bank Arena, where Ili (6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), Clark (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block), Travers (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Goulding (17 points) and Dellavedova (15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led Melbourne. McVeigh (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals), Doyle (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Macdonald (14 points) and Crawford (14 points) led Tasmania before Dellavedova made the go-ahead lay-up and United held on for an 88-86 win to force a deciding game.

Game five returned to John Cain Arena, where Crawford (32 points and 6 rebounds) scored 19 points during the opening quarter and received support from McVeigh (14 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block), Will Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Doyle (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) as Tasmania won 83-81 and secured its first championship. Lual-Acuil Jr (14 points and 6 rebounds), Travers (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Dellavedova (13 points and 7 assists) and Goulding (13 points, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne, with McVeigh named Grand Final MVP. Ili (11 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) played 29:25 in the loss.

2024/25
Melbourne were forced to rebuild their frontcourt after losing Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (to China), Luke Travers (to Cleveland Cavaliers), Ariel Hukporti (to New York Knicks), and Brad Newley (retired) from the side that had come within one win of a championship the year prior.

Jack White (via Denver Nuggets) returned for a second stint with the club, to cover Traver’s NBA exit and import Marcus Lee (via Tasmania) was recruited to help replace Lual-Acuil’s interior presence and rim protection.

Coach Dean Vickerman again built around the returning core of Chris Goulding, Matthew Dellavedova, and Shea Ili, with Ian Clark, Robert Loe, Flynn Cameron, Tanner Krebs, and Kyle Bowen also returning to round out the rotation.

Ili paired with Dellavedova to run the team offence and apply defensive pressure to opposition guards. United opened the season at HoopsFest with an 88–79 win over Tasmania as Matthew Dellavedova (21 points) led the scoring, Shea Ili (14 points, and 2 steals) set the tone defensively, and Jack White (14 points, and 7 rebounds) made an immediate impact, while Milton Doyle (23 points) paced the JackJumpers in defeat.

That opening result set the tone for an early stretch where Melbourne stacked wins and stayed locked into the top end of the ladder.

Ili (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists) produced one of his most complete all-round performances of the regular season, securing a early road win over Perth. Ian Clark (25 points) finished as the game high scorer, many of his baskets coming from Ili’s finely timed passes.

In November, when Goulding exploded for 46 points in a win against Perth (106-97), Ili (5 points) and his impact showed in the box score as he finished with 7 assists, most of those going to Goulding, as well as 5 rebounds and 5 steals.

Another strong performance came during a loss to Brisbane on December 8 (114-122), United were missing star Chris Goulding and in his absence would see Ili (18 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals) step up and deliver one of his best games of the season. The following week, against South East Melbourne, Ili (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) blended creation with on-ball pressure as United continued stacking wins through the middle of the schedule.

His best scoring games came in Sydney on January 9 when he poured in (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and against Tasmania on February 1, where Ili (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) steered United to a two point victory (94-92) just before heading into the playoffs.

Ili (11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 26 games), would complement leading scorers Goulding (18.4 points, and 2 rebounds), White (13.8 points, and 9.4 rebounds) and Clark (12.7 points) with his passing, while pairing with Dellavedova (10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists), to create the most formidable defensive backcourt in the league.

United finished the regular season in second place (19–10), setting up a semi-final series against Perth.

Melbourne opened the semi-final series at home with a 105–93 win as Chris Goulding (41 points) drove the scoring, Jack White (13 points, and 10 rebounds) controlled the glass, Matthew Dellavedova (6 points, and 9 assists) ran the offence, and Shea Ili (3 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) kept the ball moving, while Keanu Pinder (24 points) led Perth in defeat.

Perth levelled the match-up in Game 2 with a 96–89 win as Dylan Windler (27 points, and 11 rebounds), Bryce Cotton (18 points), and Kristian Doolittle (17 points, and 9 rebounds) swung the series back, while Melbourne’s response featured Dellavedova (13 points, and 12 assists), White (13 points, and 6 rebounds), Goulding (15 points), and Ili (8 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists).

Game 3 went to the wire and Melbourne advanced with a 113–112 win as Ian Clark (38 points) and Chris Goulding (30 points) carried the offence, with Dellavedova (10 points, and 11 assists) and White (15 points, and 9 rebounds) helping steady the finish as Ili (5 points, and 2 steals) battled through the decider against Perth’s late push led by Bryce Cotton (29 points) and Dylan Windler (25 points, and 10 rebounds).

In the Championship Series against Illawarra, Melbourne overturned a 10-point half-time deficit in Game 1 to win 96–88 as Dellavedova (18 points), Goulding (15 points), Marcus Lee (14 points), and Ili (13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) powered the second half, while Sam Froling (16 points), Will Hickey (14 points), and Todd Blanchfield (13 points) led the Hawks in defeat.

Illawarra squared the series in Game 2 with a 102–100 win as Tyler Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points), and Trey Kell (18 points) kept the Hawks on the front foot, while Ian Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points), and Dellavedova (14 points) kept United within one possession and Ili (4 rebounds, and 2 assists) was held scoreless on the night.

Melbourne moved within one win of the title in Game 3 with an 83–77 victory behind White (20 points), Dellavedova (16 points), Clark (16 points), and Goulding (14 points), while Ili did not play as Hyunjung Lee (12 points), Hickey (12 points), and Darius Days (11 points) led Illawarra in Wollongong.

Illawarra extended the series in Game 4 with an 80–71 win as Hickey (22 points), Lachlan Olbrich (13 points), and Harvey (12 points) carried the Hawks, with Froling leaving early with a calf injury and not returning for the remainder of the series, while Goulding (17 points), Dellavedova (17 points), Clark (16 points), and White (6 points, and 4 rebounds) led Melbourne and Ili again did not play.

Game 5 decided the championship and Illawarra closed the series with a 114–104 win as Kell (26 points), Hickey (21 points), and Harvey (16 points) led the Hawks to their second NBL championship, while Ili returned and finished with (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) alongside Goulding (21 points) and White (17 points, and 7 rebounds) as Melbourne finished NBL25 runners-up after dropping the series 3–2.

2025/26
After falling one win short of the championship for the second consecutive year, Melbourne reworked its roster around captain Chris Goulding and vice-captains Shea Ili and Kyle Bowen. Matthew Dellavedova (to Sydney), Flynn Cameron (to Adelaide), Akech Aliir (to South East Melbourne), Rob Loe (to New Zealand), Marcus Lee (to Cairns), Jack White (to Turkey), Ian Clark and Joel Foxwell (to NCAA) exited, while coach Dean Vickerman recruited Milton Doyle (via Tasmania), Finn Delany (via Japan), Fabijan Krslovic (via Tasmania), Tyson Walker (via Texas Legends), Jesse Edwards (via Iowa Wolves), Tom Wilson (via Melbourne Tigers) and Next Star Dash Daniels (via Centre of Excellence).

Melbourne opened the season in Hobart on September 18, where Ili (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) came off the bench and helped United defeat Tasmania 88-84, with Doyle (22 points) and Walker (14 points and 3 steals) leading the scoring, while Bryce Hamilton (24 points) was Tasmania’s best.

Ili (7.3 points and 3.1 assists across 12 games) remained Melbourne’s best defensive guard when available, but his season became a stop-start run through repeated hamstring injuries. His best playmaking game came against New Zealand on September 21, where Ili (7 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals) helped Melbourne defeat the Breakers 114-82, with Edwards (22 points and 6 rebounds) and Krebs (16 points) providing support, while Izaiah Brockington (21 points and 6 rebounds) led New Zealand.

Ili stayed in the starting group against South East Melbourne on September 25, finishing with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists as Melbourne defeated the Phoenix 103-83, with Doyle (18 points) and Walker (13 points and 8 assists) leading United, while Nathan Sobey (26 points) was South East Melbourne’s best.

After sustaining a right hamstring injury during Melbourne’s NBAxNBL exhibition against New Orleans, Ili missed nine games before returning against Brisbane on November 15, where Ili (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped United hold off the Bullets 99-93, with Doyle (28 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Edwards (14 points) leading Melbourne, while Mitch Norton (19 points) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

A left hamstring injury at training sidelined Ili again before he returned in Adelaide on December 12, where his best scoring game came as Ili (13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) helped Melbourne erase an 18-point deficit before falling to the 36ers 114-105 in overtime, with Goulding (24 points) and Delany (20 points and 9 rebounds) leading United, while Bryce Cotton (33 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists) led Adelaide.

Six days later, Ili (7 points) lasted only 8:12 against Illawarra before another hamstring setback, but Melbourne snapped a four-game losing streak with a 97-75 win behind Walker (21 points and 10 assists) and Delany (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists), while JaVale McGee (18 points and 10 rebounds) and Tyler Harvey (18 points) were Illawarra’s best.

Ili returned again on January 30 in New Zealand, finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists as Melbourne lost 97-95 to the Breakers, with Edwards (23 points and 14 rebounds) and Goulding (16 points) leading United, while Karim Lopez (32 points and 8 rebounds) was New Zealand’s best.

His final regular-season appearance came in Cairns on February 12, where Ili (8 points) played only 6:53 and suffered another left hamstring injury as Melbourne defeated the Taipans 89-85, with Doyle (25 points) and Walker (17 points and 3 steals) leading United, while Jack McVeigh (25 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Cairns’ best.

Doyle (16 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists) led Melbourne in scoring and shared the backcourt load with Walker (14.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals), while Edwards (13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds) anchored the interior and won the club MVP award. Goulding (12.8 points) remained the team’s main shooter, while Delany (11.4 points and 5.5 rebounds), Krebs (7.9 points and 3.3 rebounds) and Ili were the other main contributors as Melbourne won its first nine games before sliding to fifth with a 20-13 record.

Melbourne hosted Tasmania in the Play-In Qualifier at John Cain Arena, where Ili (2 points) returned to the rotation as United defeated the JackJumpers 82-68 behind Delany (33 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Krebs (11 points), while Nick Marshall (20 points and 6 rebounds), Josh Bannan (16 points and 5 rebounds) and David Johnson (16 points) led Tasmania.

The Play-In Game moved to RAC Arena, where Perth ended Melbourne’s season 95-77 behind Lual-Acuil Jr (28 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks), Doolittle (24 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Windler (18 points and 9 rebounds), while Doyle (13 points), Walker (12 points) and Edwards (12 points and 8 rebounds) led United, and Ili (2 points) played 4:47 in the 95-77 loss.

Shea Ili currently plays for the Melbourne United and has played 282 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists since entering the league in 2014.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Melbourne United – 3 Year Deal (2022-25)

HIGHLIGHTS:

Across a season full of highlights, perhaps no United player received more praise than Shea Ili.
Averaging a career best in assists, shooting the ball at an elite level & hounding players with his defence, Ili said NBL22 was a campaign to remember.

More: https://t.co/rDMzckHLls pic.twitter.com/4giF3QThxL

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) May 18, 2022