Vickerman Reveals United Import Plans

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has revealed his side’s import plans for NBL24, and says the club is targeting strong shooters to round out its roster.

Former Illawarra guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes headed to United in NBL23 to provide a similar skillset to what Vickerman described, but struggled to nail down a consistent role in the side due to injury and personnel changes within the side’s guard rotation.

“In previous years we’ve had Caleb Agada and Scotty Hopson and different guys who are guards who can do multiple different things,” Vickerman said. “This year we’re prioritising a little bit more shooting in that area.

“A guy that can come in and have a significant impact whether that’s starting or coming off the bench.”

Former Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson – who was a member of the Brisbane Bullets last season – was floated as a potential option for Melbourne United in a recent episode of The Marketplace.

Vickerman says while the club is still exploring import options for next season, the contingent of local talent that has been added to the roster already covers most of the side’s deficiencies from last season.

“We’re extremely pleased with the local content of Australian and New Zealand talent we have – and Ariel (Hukporti) in there as well,” he said.

“We have a couple more pieces to add. Creation was something we talked about a little bit last year and we think we’ve solved some of those issues with players coming in.

“That’s Jo (Lual-Acuil Jr) coming back, that’s Luke (Travers) coming in, Flynn (Cameron) coming into our group, Tanner (Krebs).

“I think there’s a defensive element to every one of those guys that improves us from where we were last year.”