AFL player returns to NBL

Former Collingwood Football Club half-back Tom Wilson will return to the League for the first time since 2019, after signing a one-year deal with Melbourne United.

A promising junior, Wilson played for the Sydney Kings but switched codes to Australian Rules with the Magpies, where he played across five seasons  but managed just 8 games. He was delisted in 2023 and rediscovered his passion for basketball with the Melbourne Tigers in the NBL1 competition.

“It’s super exciting, it feels like a dream come true,” Wilson said.

“I feel really privileged. It’s not an opportunity that a lot of people get. I was out of the game for five years but had a connection with (United Assistant Coach) Rhys Carter, who I actually used to play against, and he and the group always made me feel really welcome coming into Hoop City.

“I’m excited about the basketball player I can become with this team. I think the experiences I’ve had in basketball and in footy are only going to help me moving forward.”

Wilson has had a solid start to the season in the NBL1 South, averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

“In his second year back in the NBL1, he’s just playing at a really elite level,” United coach Dean Vickerman said.

“It’s been great to see him re-discover a love for the game and you can see that on the court. He’s been dominant against high level competition.

“We had the opportunity to have him practice with us last season and I was really impressed with the guard skill-set that he had. Seeing him play in our building against our guys gave us confidence that he was ready to return to the League.”

Wilson joins Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Kyle Bowen, Fabijan Krslovic and Dash Daniels as rostered players for the NBL26 season.