Shea Ili

Has now won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards and remains one of Melbourne United's most important players at both ends of the floor.

Is now 273 games into his career in the NBL that started at the New Zealand Breakers and has continued with Melbourne.

After starting with the Auckland Pirates and then a season each in the NZ NBL with the Super City Rangers and Southland Sharks, played five years with the New Zealand Breakers where he won a championship in 2015 and was the league's Most Improved Player in 2018.

Joined Melbourne for NBL20 and was a championship winner in 2021 and has been key in the back court to teams that have gone to five matches in Championship Series' in both NBL24 and NBL25.

Has now won the past two Damian Martin Trophies as the Best Defensive Player with his reputation only continuing to grow with his toughness, quickness and playmaking ability standing out.