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
On July 26, 2022, Shea Ili signed an extension with Melbourne United, securing his place on the team through the end of the 2024/25 season. Coming off a career-best year, Ili expressed that re-signing with United was the best decision for both himself and his family. His strong fit within Dean Vickerman’s offensive system was also a key factor in his decision to stay.

After United’s first-place finish in the previous season and a disappointing early playoff exit following Chris Goulding’s injury, many had high hopes for Melbourne United as championship contenders. Unexpectedly, however, United lost nearly half of their starting lineup just before the season began due to injuries and overseas opportunities.

Leading scorer Jo Lual-Acuil had intended to stay with United but accepted an offer to play in China that was too lucrative to decline. Jack White and Matthew Dellavedova, both under contract, secured NBA deals with Denver and Sacramento, respectively, mere weeks before tip-off. Their departures left United scrambling for replacements as many players worldwide had already signed with other teams. United quickly signed Isaac Humphries (via Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (via Illawarra), Rayjon Tucker, and Jordan Caroline, while veteran David Barlow postponed retirement to help fill the gaps.

United’s challenges deepened during the NBL Blitz in Darwin when Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending injury. Without a clear backup, Humphries, who was recovering from knee issues, was thrust into a demanding role as the starting center. The absence of additional size forced Barlow, Brad Newley, and Caroline to step up, playing out of position to compensate.

United won their season opener in an overtime thriller against New Zealand (101–97), led by Rathan-Mayes (33 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists). However, Ili’s season was disrupted when he suffered a concussion during FIBA qualifiers with New Zealand. Appearing in only 13 games across multiple stints, Ili’s absence forced Tucker into an unfamiliar floor-running role.

Struggling at 5-6, media and fans alike called for an import change. Tucker (17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) initially fell short of his own high expectations, while Caroline (5.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) struggled as an undersized center and was ultimately cut. In November, United signed Marcus Lee (9.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks), a former teammate of Humphries, bringing defensive stability to the squad. United’s play improved with Ili’s return, and Tucker began to thrive offensively.

The turning point came after a loss to Illawarra (93–79), marking only the second win for the Hawks that season. United finally fielded their preferred starting five in the next game, defeating Brisbane by 16 points (104-88), with contributions across the board from Goulding (20 points), Tucker (20 points), Lee (18 points), Ili (15 points), and Rathan-Mayes (8 points, 10 rebounds). United closed out the season with an 11-3 run.

United entered the final day of the regular season needing a win and favorable outcomes to make the Play-In Qualifier. Tucker (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) propelled United to victory over Adelaide (116–107), but Perth’s upset win over Sydney narrowly knocked United out of playoff contention.

This season marked the first time a Dean Vickerman-led United team finished outside the top five in defensive rating. Yet United managed to make history, featuring in Australia’s first NBL Christmas game, drawing over 300,000 viewers. Tucker (31 points, 5 rebounds) led the game in scoring, but United fell to Sydney by 21 points (101-80). Another milestone came with Isaac Humphries (9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) publicly coming out as gay, with United pioneering the NBL’s Pride Round to honor the LGBTQ+ community.

2023/24
Following a challenging season, United re-signed Jo Lual-Acuil and Matthew Dellavedova, both returning after stints overseas. The team also added NBA prospect Luke Travers, assembling a roster close to the one that nearly reached the Grand Final in 2022. United signed import Ian Clark (via Adelaide) to provide bench scoring, previously held by Scotty Hopson, and strengthened their roster with emerging talents Tanner Krebs (via Brisbane), Kyle Bowen, and Flynn Cameron.

An early-season wrist injury sidelined Lual-Acuil, leading United to sign veteran Rob Loe (5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) as an injury replacement. Ariel Hukporti (7.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) stepped up during this period, helping United to an early 7-1 record atop the ladder by the time Lual-Acuil returned.

Chris Goulding (16.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) had one of his finest seasons, following his World Cup stint with the Boomers and vying for a spot in the 2024 Olympics. United’s starters frequently dominated, with Goulding leading in scoring while Lual-Acuil (14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks), Dellavedova (12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists), and Clark (13.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) all delivering. Travers (11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks) contributed all-around play.

Finishing 20-8, United led the league by three wins and drew sellout crowds frequently. Their biggest win came in December against Brisbane, a 35-point victory marked by Goulding’s sharpshooting (7/9 from three) and the Bullets’ dismal perimeter shooting (3/26).

Ili started regularly, averaging 10.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 steals over 34 games. His season highlight was a 17-point, 3-rebound, 3-assist, 3-steal performance in a win against Illawarra (96-84), where he shot 5-8 from the field and a perfect 7-7 from the line.

In the semifinals against Illawarra, both teams showcased offensive firepower, scoring over 100 points in consecutive games. United narrowly escaped a scare in Game 3 to advance to the Grand Final.

United claimed a commanding victory in Game 1 (104–81), with Goulding (22 points on 7-12 shooting) and Lual-Acuil (20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks) leading the way. However, Tasmania evened the series in Game 2 (82-77), buoyed by standout performances from Jack McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) and Milton Doyle (13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists), with Ili (20 points on 8-12 shooting) as United’s top scorer in the loss.

Dellavedova (21 points, 8 assists) had a stellar performance in a close game that turned on a clutch shot from McVeigh (18 points, 12 rebounds), handing United their first back-to-back losses of the season.

In Game 4, Ian Clark (18 points, 4 rebounds) led United to a narrow victory (88-86), leveling the series at 2-2.

Tasmania’s Jordon Crawford, despite earlier struggles, showed resilience, scoring 19 points in the first quarter and finishing with 32 points in the deciding Game 5. The JackJumpers clinched their first NBL title with an 83-81 win, as Crawford’s 32-point total marked the third-highest in a Grand Final game since 2009. McVeigh (14 points, 8 rebounds), Doyle (11 points, 10 rebounds), and Will Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds) all contributed in Tasmania’s historic win.

United’s five starters all scored in double digits in Game 5, led by Lual-Acuil (14 points), with Dellavedova, Goulding, and Travers each adding 13.

Shea Ili currently plays for the Melbourne United and has played 260 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.7 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

Dan Boyce (823 Posts)

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.