The free-agent merry-go-round continues with the Melbourne United signing Scotty Hopson to a one-year deal.
Hopson spent last season with the New Zealand Breakers but didn’t re-sign with the team as he focused on trying to make a return to the NBA. With NBA rosters finalised this week Hopson’s eyes returned to the NBL and with the Breakers having already replaced him with Lamar Patterson Melbourne become front runners for his signature.
Hopson earnt a spot in the All-NBL Second Team plus an MVP nomination in his debut season with the Breakers. He averaged 19.1 points per game (ninth overall), 5.8 rebounds (third amongst small forwards), 4.7 assists (fifth overall), shooting 47% from the field.
With United planning to start 189cm tall Mitch McCarron at the point and pair him with the 201cm Hopson, the team may have the league’s biggest backcourt capable of limiting the effectiveness of smaller guards in the league like Bryce Cotton (Perth), Scott Machado (Cairns) and Casper Ware (Sydney) with the advantage of having a crunch time bucket maker like Hopson on the court.
Hopson most recently in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 after he signed a 10-day contract and played one game.
He had been playing in the NBA G-League since the 2019-20 NBL season concluded for Oklahoma City Blue. He averaged 18.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in 6 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s development team before the G-League season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus.
ICYMI: Scotty Hopson last night.
📊 22 pts | 7 ast | 4 reb | 2 stl pic.twitter.com/GSVfUoQz1M
— OKC Blue (@okcblue) February 25, 2019
Hopson spoke of his excitement to join his new teammates in Melbourne.
“I’m elated to be a part of Melbourne United. I’m really just looking forward to getting out there with the coaches, the players, and the staff so we can begin building chemistry, me getting to know them and them to getting to know me.”
“I am really excited to play in front of the United fans. I hope they’ll embrace me like I plan to embrace them.”
Hopson also spoke of his time away from the game this year, due to the global pandemic.
“I’ve missed the game that’s for sure. I’m extremely humbled and truly thankful to be able to play the game that I love.”
“I’m also extremely appreciative that the NBL and more specifically Melbourne United is providing me this opportunity.”
Melbourne United Head Coach Dean Vickerman expressed his happiness at securing Hopson for the NBL21 Season.
Melbourne United Head Coach Dean Vickerman expressed his happiness at securing Hopson for the NBL21 Season.
“We’re really excited to have Scotty join our group,” Vickerman said.
“It’s a big signing for us, and we believe he’s got the exact attributes we needed at that position.”
“He’s got a fantastic toolbelt and can call upon so many different qualities to win; he can shoot the three, take you off the bounce and is a high-level assist guy. Not to mention that he’s a legitimate closer of games.”
“He’s just a great competitor. That aggression combined with his well-rounded game means that we think he’s going to be able to impact games and really add to this team.”
Hopson will fly to Australia next month, with the international transition more complicated than usual given the COVID-19 ramifications on international travel.
United have one roster spot remaining to fill with NBL rumours suggesting they are looking for an athletic import big man in a similar mould to Josh Boone who played 81 games for Melbourne and was a huge part of the teams most recent NBL championship in 2018.