BIO: Malith Machar was born in Adelaide (SA).
Malith Machar made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 23 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
In August 2022, Malith Machar signed a two-year development player deal with Melbourne United, with a team option for the second season. On the announcement of his signing, coach Dean Vickerman expressed his optimism, stating, “At 6’6 he’s a long, versatile athlete that can play at a high tempo, defend multiple positions and shoot the ball well from beyond the arc. I can’t wait to get him back in Melbourne and continue to see just how much he can do for us.”
Coming off a season where they finished on top of the ladder but suffered an early playoff exit, United entered NBL23 with championship expectations. However, the team faced significant challenges before the season even began. Star centre Jo Lual-Acuil, who had been keen to stay in Melbourne, departed for a lucrative offer in China. Jack White and Matthew Dellavedova, both under contract, secured last-minute NBA deals with Denver and Sacramento, respectively, leaving United scrambling to fill their roster.
United signed Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), and imports Rayjon Tucker and Jordan Caroline, while David Barlow came out of retirement to help address roster gaps. However, things went from bad to worse when Next Star Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the NBL Blitz in Darwin. With Humphries recovering from knee issues, the team lacked depth in the frontcourt, forcing veteran forwards Barlow, Brad Newley, and Caroline into extended minutes at centre.
Despite these setbacks, United opened their season with an overtime win against New Zealand (101–97), thanks to a stellar performance from Rathan-Mayes (33 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists). However, injuries and roster instability persisted. Shea Ili, who was expected to lead the second unit, appeared in just 13 games due to recurring concussions. Tucker, initially signed as the primary scorer, struggled to meet expectations but still managed solid averages of 17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Caroline (5.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) failed to adjust to playing as an undersized centre and was replaced mid-season by Marcus Lee (9.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks).
United endured a rough start to the season (5–6), including a shock loss to Illawarra (93–79), who had only one win at the time. However, following a crucial 104–88 victory over Brisbane, where Goulding (20 points), Tucker (20 points), Lee (18 points), and Ili (15 points) delivered strong performances, United turned their season around with an 11–3 run to close out the regular season. On the final day, Tucker’s 31-point effort secured a win over Adelaide (116–107), but United narrowly missed the Play-In Qualifier due to points percentage after Perth defeated Sydney.
A key highlight of the season was Melbourne’s involvement in the NBL’s first Pride Round, spearheaded by Isaac Humphries’ public announcement as the league’s first openly gay player. Additionally, United played a marquee Christmas Day game against Sydney, drawing over 300,000 viewers despite a 101–80 loss, with Tucker leading all scorers with 31 points.
Machar appeared in four games during the season, contributing a total of one point.
2023/24
After a challenging season, United looked to regroup by bringing back Jo Lual-Acuil from China and Matthew Dellavedova from the NBA. They also added NBA prospect Luke Travers, alongside young talents Tanner Krebs (via Brisbane), Kyle Bowen, and Flynn Cameron. Ian Clark (via Adelaide) was signed as the team’s lone import, filling a bench scoring role.
Led by Chris Goulding (16.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists), who delivered one of the best seasons of his career, United dominated the NBL24 regular season, finishing first with a 20–8 record. Lual-Acuil (14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks), Dellavedova (12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists), and Travers (11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks) contributed consistently across the board.
Despite their regular-season dominance, United’s playoff campaign ended in disappointment. After splitting the first two games of the Grand Final series against Tasmania, United fell short in Game 5 at home (83–81), with Jordon Crawford delivering a historic 32-point performance to secure Tasmania’s first championship. Machar played sparingly in three games during NBL24, failing to score.
Malith Machar played two seasons the Melbourne United..
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 24 | Melbourne | 20-8 (1) | 3 | 10.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
2022-23 | 23 | Melbourne | 15-13 (7) | 6 | 12.0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 60% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 50% | 0% | 2 | Totals | 9 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 37.5% | 0 | 3 | 0.0% | 0 | 2 | 0.0% | 0% | 0% | 2 |
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 24 | Melbourne | 20-8 (1) | 3 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
2022-23 | 23 | Melbourne | 15-13 (7) | 6 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 60% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 50% | 0% | 2 | Total | 9 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 37.5% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.3 | 0.0% | 0% | 0% | 2 |
POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
---|
Played in NBL1 Central during the 2022 season for the Forestville Eagles. Machar averaged 16 points and eight rebounds, while knocking down 45 percent of his three-pointers so far this season for the Eagles.
Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 12% | 22% | 29% | 0% | ||||||
2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
Total | 3 | 8 | 37.5% | 0 | 3 | 0.0% |
YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 24 | Melbourne | 20-8 (1) | 3 | 10.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
2022-23 | 23 | Melbourne | 15-13 (7) | 6 | 12.0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 60% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 50% | 0% | 2 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com
POS | TEAM | W | D | L | PTS |
1 |
|
21 | 3 | 3 | 66 |
2 |
|
20 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
3 |
|
19 | 4 | 4 | 61 |
4 |
|
18 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
5 |
|
18 | 2 | 4 | 56 |
With Adam Caporn taking over as head coach of the Australian Boomers, the national team enters a critical phase in its evolution. A student of both Brian Goorjian and Andrej Lemanis, Caporn intends to build on their foundations, blending their distinct philosophies to create a balanced, adaptable, and high-performing team. In a recent interview with Aussie Hoopla, Caporn outlined his vision for the Boomers, his approach to coaching, and how he plans to shape the roster heading into major tournaments like the 2027 FIBA World…
READ MOREFormer NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to share his journey—from his junior basketball days to professional success and now a rising coaching career. Kendall developed under legendary coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before moving to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings before injuries forced an early retirement. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of…
READ MOREThe possibility of an NBL expansion team in Geelong has gained momentum, with league owner Larry Kestelman confirming the city is a strong candidate—provided it can secure a suitable venue. However, much like we outlined in an article a number of years ago, How the Geelong Supercats could return to the NBL within 3 years, the missing piece isn’t just a stadium, but a real estate-backed development plan to make the project financially viable. Kestelman recently acknowledged Geelong’s growing basketball scene, citing record participation numbers…
READ MOREThere have been championship runs in the NBL defined by dominance and the sheer weight of talent that could overwhelm opponents before the ball was tipped. The dynasties of Perth, the star-studded reign of Melbourne, and the rise of Sydney’s financial muscle all tell tales of powerhouses that knew how to stay at the top. But there has only ever been one championship like Wollongong’s in 2001—a title won through sheer resilience, a team that had no business being there until they forced their way…
READ MOREThe Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is supposed to recognise the most dominant defender in the NBA. If that’s the case, then Dyson Daniels should already have his name engraved on the trophy. But as the season winds down, there’s a growing concern that Daniels might get overlooked simply because he’s a guard. If that happens, it won’t just be unfair—it will be a disgrace. Daniels is Leading the NBA in Every Key Defensive Stat There’s no argument against Daniels’ defensive dominance this…
READ MORESydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks has served most of his one-month suspension for testing positive for cocaine but may still face additional disciplinary action from his club. He was provisionally suspended in early February after returning an adverse analytical finding just two days before the Kings’ sudden-death clash against Adelaide. Basketball Australia later confirmed the ban, though the club initially cited “personal leave” as the reason for his absence. Despite the violation, Sydney Kings officials reportedly want to retain Cooks, who remains under contract for…
READ MOREBelow is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…
READ MOREThe recent FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Traralgon showcased not just Australia's dominance in the region but also why Australian basketball is becoming an invaluable asset for Asian nations looking to grow their game. The Boomers' commanding victories over Indonesia (109-58) and Thailand (114-64) were not just displays of superior talent but reflections of an elite system that consistently produces world-class players. For Asian basketball federations seeking a model to learn from, Australia offers an ideal blueprint—one that balances elite player development, a thriving professional…
READ MORE