United confirm signing of star big man

Melbourne United on Monday confirmed the signature of the sought-after Free Agent Sam Waardenburg to a three-year contract, with a third-year mutual option.

Standing 208cm tall, Waardenburg has spent the past four seasons in Cairns, chalking up 89 games across that time.

During that time, Waardenburg has been one of only two players to have registered more than 90 three-pointers and 70 blocked shots.

Most recently, despite only playing eight games during NBL26 due to injury, the big man posted career-best averages in points (15.5), field goal percentage (56.6), three-point percentage (43.5) and free-throw percentage (80).

Wanting to prioritise winning across the next phase of his career, Waardenburg explained why the decision to come to Melbourne was an easy one.

“I’m super excited,” he said.

“Obviously, this being my first real Free Agency experience, I wanted to take my time with the process, but it was pretty clear from day one and the first conversation that Melbourne was a great place and a great organisation for me and my partner to be a part of.

“It's just an awesome opportunity that I couldn’t really turn down, and I just think it’s the best place for me and the next step in my career for sure.

“I definitely wanted to prioritise winning. It's something that's super important to me right now.

“I want to experience the playoffs, I want to experience a Championship Series, I want to experience winning a title. I just didn't think it was anywhere better than Melbourne United to do that.”

After claiming the NBL Next Generation Award in his rookie season, the New Zealand international has continued to develop, increasing his scoring output and honing his craft overseas, impressing during stints in Germany and Puerto Rico.

Able to play both as a power forward and center, Waardenburg opens up a range of intriguing options for Head Coach Dean Vickerman on the court.

The three-time Championship-winning coach said he can’t wait to see what his new big man is able to unlock for United at both ends.

“There's a lot to like about Sam Waardenburg,” Vickerman said.

“Sam was someone we recruited out of college, but we've always continued to track him, and one of our goals this offseason was to add more size per position and being 6'10 at the four spot certainly does that.

“He has the ability to shift to five and add shooting to that area, which is something that we've enjoyed in the past.

"His athleticism and his quickness are both massive strengths, and then he has the ability to go get 20 on any given night. He can be your leading guy when you need it.

“We've had that position as a four-man be a real connector in our offence. We saw it with Finn Delany last year, where we can put him in the middle on-ball and just let him create: he can pop, he can roll, he can be a facilitator and decision maker for us.”

Waardenburg is currently playing with Indios de Mayaguez in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (Puerto Rico).

Waardenburg joins Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Kyle Bowen, Fabijan Krslovic and Dash Daniels on Vickerman’s roster for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season.

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