United Staying Close to Home Ahead of Free Agency

Melbourne United is set to assess the local market ahead of any potential import signings heading into the upcoming NBL Free Agency period according to head coach Dean Vickerman.

After an NBL23 campaign in which they missed out on the post-season on percentage alone only Shea Ili and Chris Goulding remain contracted to the club, with the likes of David Okwera and Mason Peatling set to test their interest in free agency.

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Vickerman says while he’s looking for the club to expand its international scouting capabilities, local classified talent is top of the side’s free agency hit list.

“In this period right now we’re really looking at local talent.” Vickerman said on SEN. “Australians that are playing overseas, Australians and New Zealanders in college that are coming out, and free agents within our league.

“The Asian player and Next Star rules are something we’re looking at too.”

“We feel like we’re in a really good place with Ariel Hukporti to get him back after his injury last year.

“Over the next week we’ll make sure we’ve got the guys locked in from our current roster, and then we’ll be pretty active in free agency.

Two of the premier local talents set to hit the market are Luke Travers and Will McDowell-White.

Vickerman won one NBL championship as a head coach and three more as an assistant at the Breakers before McDowell-White arrived on the scene and has remained coy on his side’s chances of securing at least one of the star duo.

“We can’t say too much at this stage before free agency opens,” he said. “But Will McDowell-White and Luke Travers are going to be two of the highest prizes in this free agency market.

“Two of the highest-level talents that are on the fringe of playing high-level Europe or NBA – any guy like that I’m sure every team will find a way or see if they totally fit with their roster to try and win a championship.”

NBL Free Agency opens on March 30.