Melbourne United forward Tai Wesley “can’t wait” to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder are set to host United next week in what will be the third game ever played between NBL and NBA teams. The game will be played fresh on the heels of Utah Jazz’s comfortable 108-83 win over the NBL’s Sydney Kings earlier this week in Salt Lake City.
“It [an NBA game] was something that I thought would never happen and I’m so excited for it,” Wesley said, as quoted by Roy Ward of The Sydney Morning Herald.
United players will have their chance to compete against some of the best basketball players in the world when they take on the Thunder. Big offseason moves have seen the team add all-stars Carmelo Anthony and Paul George to their squad featuring last year’s MVP Russell Westbrook.
Wesley noted he is a big admirer of Carmelo Anthony’s game and is eager to make the most of his chance to take it to one of the best offensive basketball players of all time.
“Then when Carmelo [Anthony] signed he started talking about how I might have to guard him. I grew up watching Melo just destroy people. That will be a good match-up for me, I think,” Wesley claimed.
Yet, Wesley, who was born in Orem, Utah, wishes United were set to meet the Jazz and not the Thunder. Crowd support won’t be altogether missing, however, as Wesley’s family is still planning to make a trip from Utah to Oklahoma and attend the game.
“It would be even cooler if we were playing in Utah – we would have about 400 extra supporters – but Oklahoma City is close, only one flight away so it will be the most family I’ve had watch me as a pro,” Wesley added.
The game between Melbourne and Oklahoma is set to be held on October 8.
