Jo Lual-Acuil Jr to depart Melbourne United

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

After three years with Melbourne United, star center Jo Lual-Acuil Jr is set to depart the club.

“I’ve loved every minute of my time at Melbourne United. Hopefully I get the opportunity to run it back here later in my career,” Lual-Acuil Jr said.

Last week, NBL analyst and commentator Liam Santamaria said Lual-Acuil Jr is set to receive some huge financial offers from overseas clubs, including teams in China and Japan.

Lual-Acuil Jr has been one of the greatest developmental stories in recent league history, coming into the club in 2020 as a backup, before blossoming behind Jock Landale into the league’s best sixth man in a championship-winning 2021 campaign, and finally establishing himself as one of the top bigman in the NBL across 2022.

During his three seasons with Melbourne, Lual-Acuil has etched his name into the club’s history books. The seven-footer ranks first all-time for United in total blocks, third in total rebounds and equal fourth in total points.

While he produced can’t-miss moments on the court, his passion and commitment to working within the community deserves to be celebrated just as much.

A leader within the playing group, Head Coach Dean Vickerman praised Lual-Acuil Jr’s growth across his time with Melbourne.

“For a guy who initially came in as our last signing heading into NBL20 to have grown into an award winner in this league and being one of the best players in this league, it’s amazing," Vickerman said.

“He is the perfect example of an athlete who is totally self driven and someone who is doing everything he can to make himself and his teammates better.”